History Buff

Take your friends and family on a historic hunt to uncover hidden treasures and untold tales in Butler County! The BC is rich with historical landmarks, beautiful museums, and lively community districts. Your historic adventure awaits!

Where to stay: The Rossville Inn

Built in 1859, this Victorian style pre-civil war Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of the Rossville Historic District. Relax in one of the three private rooms, which have been furnished and decorated to reflect the style of the home's past. Each room is equipped with modern conveniences including a telephone, cable television, wiring for computer and fax, a writing desk, and a private newly installed bathroom.

Common rooms include a parlor, billiard room, and formal dining room. Unwind, meet new friends, play pool, enjoy board games or curl up with a good book. For a change of pace, take time for refreshments in the gazebo.

Morning: Benninghofen House

The Benninghofen House is a beautiful glimpse into Butler County's past, showcasing of all the furnishings and décor appropriate for a late 19th century home. A tour of the house reveals what life was like during the height of the industrial period, and also features many of the society's prized possessions.

The Benninghofen House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes one of the best collections of historic dolls in the Midwest.

Lunch: Miami University in Oxford

Take a self-guided walking tour ofthe historic Miami University campus. Established in 1809 this culturally rich campus was named for the Miami Indian Tribe that inhabited the area now known as the Miami Valley Region of Ohio.

One of Miami's most famous graduates was Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States. Another notable Alumni is William Holmes McGuffey, who taught at Miami from 1826 to 1836. McGuffey compiled the first edition of the "McGuffey Eclectic Reader" while living in his home, which now stands as the McGuffey Museum.

Following your tour take a lunch break at one of several restaurants in beautiful downtown Oxford. Enjoy a delicious deli delight at La Bodega Delicatessen and follow it upwith coffee and dessert at Kona Bistro & Coffee Bar.

Afternoon: Canal Museum and Port Middletown Plaza

The historic Miami-Erie Canal joined Cincinnati and Toledo with the east coast and was one of Ohio's most important canal systems of the mid nineteenth century. The Port Middletown Plaza features a small-scale canal waterfeature and a beautiful mural of Port Middletown on the TV Middletown building.

A short stroll down Verity Parkway is the Canal Museum where you can learn the important role the canals played in the local history. The Canal Museum is located on theformer route of the Miami-Erie Canal and features displays of the canal and the early industry of Middletown.

Evening: Pickwick Building

The Pickwick Building is home to the Middletown Historical Society which and features rotating museum displays, the Herbert Fall Gallery of Art, a resource room housing many important collections, and a gift shop. The building dates back to the early 1800's and has taken on many functions including an Inn, private residence, offices, a gift shop, and a museum.