Wood County Museum

Tea & Talk Series: The Pen and the People: Eleanor Roosevelt and World War II
2025-11-13 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
***SOLD OUT – CALL 419-352-0967 TO BE PUT ON THE WAITLIST***

“The Pen and the People: Eleanor Roosevelt and World War II“
Explore Eleanor Roosevelt’s extraordinary role during World War II as a First Lady, journalist, and advocate. Through her influential column My Day, Roosevelt connected with Americans on the home front, addressed social issues, and mobilized support for the war effort. This program highlights her leadership as she inspired a nation and championed justice during one of history’s most challenging periods.

About the Speaker:
Stephanie Bohnak is the current Director of Education & Curatorial Services at the National First Ladies Library and Museum in Canton, Ohio where she curates all educational programming as well as coordinates, schedules, and leads tours of the museum. She is from Akron, Ohio, and holds an MA in History and Public History from Bowling Green State University with a focus on marginalized narratives, specializing in women’s labor and food history. She received a BA in History from the University of Akron with minors in Anthropology and Classics and has an AS in Culinary Arts from Sullivan University in Louisville, KY. In her previous role as the Museum Education and Tour Manager at the Oberlin Heritage Center, Stephanie facilitated outreach programs, field trips, history walks, and oversaw all tours.

Each monthly tea & talk starts with a catered luncheon, warm tea, and a unique presentation over a topic of interest. Reservations are required and are due the Friday before each tea. All Ticket Sales are Final. Tickets are final sale & non-refundable. Handicap accessible facilities. Groups Welcome.
Price: $25/Museum Members, $30/Non-Members, $30/Gluten Free/Vegan Meal

Education On The Road: Made In North Baltimore
2025-11-08 14:00 - 15:30 | North Baltimore Historical Society, 229 North Main Street, North Baltimore, 45872, United States
What makes North Baltimore such an interesting place?
Spend a Saturday afternoon with Curator of the Wood County Museum Holly Kirkendall to learn something new about this little corner of Wood County.
This program is FREE & open to the public!
Date: November 8, 2025 at 2:00PM
Program Location: North Baltimore Historical Society (229 N. Main St. North Baltimore, OH 45872)

Free First Fridays & Make and Take Craft Day
2025-11-07 10:00 - 16:00 | OH
Come out to the Wood County Museum for free Museum admission every first Friday!
Free make & take craft on Free First Friday Days!
November Make & Take Craft: TBA
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.
Exhibits currently on display are:
“For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio By Way of the Poor Farm”
“The Mary & Carl Back Story”
“Chasing the White Rabbit: An Historical Look at American Mental Health” (inside Asylum)
“A Clean Bill of Health: Societal Response to Communicable Disease” (inside Pest House)
(Regular admission $7, always FREE for members).
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.

Turkey Drop Fundraiser
2025-11-06 12:30 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
FOAM TURKEY DROP FUNDRAISER
November 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM • Wood County Museum Parking Lot
DON’T MISS THIS FUN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THE WOOD COUNTY MUSEUM!
***Come watch the drop and grab some Lunch – Turkey Dogs will be available for a donation***

Here’s how it works: Purchase a foam turkey for $50 each.
ONLY 300 TURKEYS WILL BE SOLD!
***upon purchase of your foam turkey online, you will be emailed your number***

Foam Turkeys can be purchased online, at the museum or on location day of the event before the drop (while supplies last).

Toledo Aerial Media (TAM) will use a drone to drop numbered foam turkeys onto the parking lot.
The three foam turkeys closest to the target will win prizes!

PRIZES
(2 TARGETS, 2 OF EACH CASH PRIZE)
1st Closest to Target: $1,000
2nd Closest to Target: $750
3rd Closest to Target: $500
Various other prizes as well!

Drop will take place approximately around 12:30 PM
You do not have to be present to win.
*Once you purchase your ticket, we will email you letting you know your number(s).

Drop is limited to 300 Foam Turkeys. Foam Turkeys will be sold up until 12:00pm on 11/6/25 or until sold out.

In the case of inclement weather, the turkey drop will be rescheduled.

Turkey Drone Drop performed by: Toledo Aerial Media
Proceeds go to the Wood County Historical Society to help support educational programs, future exhibits, and collections management.

History, Ghosts, & Legends of the Great Black Swamp
2025-10-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Walbridge Public Library, 108 N. Main St., Walbridge, OH, 43465, United States
History, Ghosts, & Legends of the Great Black Swamp
Learn more about the history of the Great Black Swamp and the settling of Wood County through two Ghostly Legends from Mike McMaster of the Wood County Museum. What is the history behind these spooky tales, who wrote them, and why?
October 16, 2025 • 6:00PM
Walbridge Library Meeting Room • 108 North Main St. Walbridge OH 43465
Cost: FREE!

Tea & Talk Series: Art Plunder and the Monuments Men
2025-10-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
****LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN! PLEASE CALL 419-352-0967 TO PURCHASE!****

“Art Plunder and the Monuments Men”
Join the Wood County Museum and WWII historian and reenactor Daniel Gill for a program about Nazi Germany’s efforts to steal Europe’s greatest art treasures, and the allied forces (the Monuments Men) efforts to rescue them.

About the Speaker:

Each monthly tea & talk starts with a catered luncheon, warm tea, and a unique presentation over a topic of interest. Reservations are required and are due the Friday before each tea. All Ticket Sales are Final. Tickets are final sale & non-refundable. Handicap accessible facilities. Groups Welcome.
Price: $25/Museum Members, $30/Non-Members, $30/Gluten Free/Vegan Meal

Free First Fridays & Make and Take Craft Day
2025-10-03 10:00 - 16:00 | OH
Come out to the Wood County Museum for free Museum admission every first Friday!
Free make & take craft on Free First Friday Days!
October Make & Take Craft: TBA
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.
Exhibits currently on display are:
“For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio By Way of the Poor Farm”
“The Mary & Carl Back Story”
“Chasing the White Rabbit: An Historical Look at American Mental Health” (inside Asylum)
“A Clean Bill of Health: Societal Response to Communicable Disease” (inside Pest House)
(Regular admission $7, always FREE for members).
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.

German-American Day
2025-10-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY
7 PM • RSVP Required
Join us on October 1st for this year’s German-American Day Education Program!

A brief program about the “The German-Americans Who Helped Build Bowling Green and Wood County” will begin the evening. The “Story Slam” format will follow and allow guests 5 Minutes to share their own stories about any topic related to their German American heritage, genealogy, or German experiences.

Discussions led by Dr. Geoff Howes, BGSU retired, and Michael McMaster, Wood County Museum Education Coordinator.

Enjoy German food and fellowship after the event.

Please make your reservations by using our website or calling the museum at 419-352-0967.

Tea & Autumn Pie Chocolate Flight Class
2025-09-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
September 29, 2025 at 6:00PM
Tea & Autumn Pie Chocolate Flight
Admission: $40/person

Experience an unforgettable evening with The Summer Kitchen Girls and the Wood County Museum! Indulge in the perfect pairing of exquisite black, white, and green teas alongside gourmet Autumn Pie Chocolates—delight in flavors like Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Silk Pie, Apple Pie, and Pecan Pie. Join us as we explore the tasting wheel to uncover the unique flavors of each chocolate and tea combination. Don’t miss this delicious adventure! Included with your ticket is a self-guided tour of the Wood County Museum.

***Due to the nature of the event, tickets are not refundable***

Peaches Birthday Paw-ty!
2025-09-25 16:00 - 19:00 | OH
Join the Wood County Museum & For the Love of Cats on September 25 from 4-7pm to celebrate the birthday kitty, Peaches! Enjoy cake, cookies, punch and cotton candy (donated by Awesome Sauce Sugar Floss)!
The Wood County Museum is collecting donations for Peaches upkeep, with 50% of the proceeds going to For the Love of Cats. Plus, there will be a kitty food and supply drive for our organization. See our wish list at www.4loveofcats.org/amazon.

Peaches birthday party is a FREE community event and RSVPs are appreciated. You can call 419-352-0967 or reserve online at woodcountyhistory.org

Backstory on Peaches: Peaches is a barn cat that adopted the Wood County Museum as his home. He has been with us for about 3 years now. The staff and community members help care for him, and he loves the attention he gets. Peaches is a TNR cat, and was part of our TNR program. Peaches is also a feature on the museum’s Facebook page every Saturday for #caturday!

Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales
2025-09-11 18:00 - 21:00 | OH
FREE LIVE MUSIC CONCERT AT WOOD COUNTY MUSEUM
The Wood County Museum will hosting its 3rd annual concert series “Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales”, a free concert featuring Live Music on the east wing porch of the historic County Home building on four dates in 2025: June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 11 – starting at 6:00 PM. Each concert will feature 2-3 bands.
The September “Music at the Museum”, will feature 2 bands: Corduroy Road • Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder
Concert-goers are asked to bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating.
Beer garden & yard games will also be onsite. No outside alcohol will be allowed.
Food Truck lineup: The Tamale Guy • Jikoni Toledo • Icy Paw

WWII Lecture Series - The Medic's Wife: Love, War, and Secrets
2025-09-09 18:00 - 19:30 | OH
In his Amazon #1 best selling book, The Medic’s Wife, author Edmund Kruszynski delivers a spellbinding epic that rivals the grit of Band of Brothers and the unspoken heroism of Kristin Hannah’s The Women. This unforgettable story will transport you through time, ignite your passion for history, and captivate your heart with a love story for the ages. You’ll follow the journey of two extraordinary souls whose destinies become forever intertwined by the ravages of World War II. As war rages across continents, they find a love as enduring as the greatest battles of their time. Author Ed Kruszynski will be joining us as part of our WWII series, sharing his parents’ story through a captivating presentation. His talk weaves together real-life testimonies, first-person accounts, interviews, and rare, never-before-seen WWII photographs. If your parents or grandparents lived through the WWII era, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

When: September 9, 2025 at 6:00PM
Cost: FREE for members; $7 for non-members (tickets include a self-guided tour of the museum in addition to the program)
***Each person attending must be a member to get the member rate. Members may not make reservations for non-members on their behalf***

About the Speaker: Ed Kruszynki
Edmund (Ed) Kruszynski, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to second-generation Polish immigrants. He became the second college graduate in his family and spent 32 years in corporate America before pursuing his passion for writing. Ed and his wife, Tracy, are college sweethearts—BGSU Falcon Flames ’84—and are blessed with two sons, two grandchildren, and a golden retriever named Lovey. Ed enjoys the occasional fine Kentucky bourbon with a chocolate bar chaser, a ritual that helps fuel his creativity during writing lulls. His first book, The Medic’s Wife, has topped Amazon’s #1 bestseller lists in various WWII categories. To learn more about The Medic’s Wife, visit his author website below. https://www.edmundkruszynski.com

Free First Fridays & Make and Take Craft Day
2025-09-05 10:00 - 16:00 | OH
Come out to the Wood County Museum for free Museum admission every first Friday!
Free make & take craft on Free First Friday Days!
September Make & Take Craft: TBA
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.
Exhibits currently on display are:
“For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio By Way of the Poor Farm”
“The Mary & Carl Back Story”
“Chasing the White Rabbit: An Historical Look at American Mental Health” (inside Asylum)
“A Clean Bill of Health: Societal Response to Communicable Disease” (inside Pest House)
(Regular admission $7, always FREE for members).
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.

Living History Day
2025-08-31 14:00 - 15:00 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
22nd Annual Wood County Living History Day
August 31, 2025 • 2:00 PM
Wood County Museum Grounds, Bowling Green
History comes alive! Meet first-person interpreters who will share stories of past Wood County residents.

Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 2 PM
Wood County Museum Grounds

FREE EVENT

Guest are kindly asked to bring their own lawn chair.

2025 HONOREES:

TBA soon!

This event is free and open to the public thanks to our sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor:

Story Sponsors:

Event Supporters:

Bridgerton Inspired Tea
2025-08-28 17:30 - 18:30 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
Dearest Readers,
The social season is upon us! Is there anything more exhilarating than the promise of a celebration and a garden in bloom? This author finds herself compelled to share the most exciting news.The incomparable Lady Brandeberry will be hosting an evening soiree with all of our favorite Bridgerton Afternoon Tea delights. Only but a few special guests shall gather for gossip and treats. My hope is that these festivities will give the lady’s guests, as well as this author, something to buzz about for days to come.

Your 60 minute afternoon tea experience consists of curated hot teas and a tower of select finger foods. There are three seatings for this event: 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30. Please choose your preferred time when you order your tickets. If there are not enough tickets available to accommodate your group at your chosen time, please contact us and we will do everything we can to accommodate your party.

Lemonade is available upon request for non tea drinkers, please specify on the reservation
Seating begins 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time of your 60 minute experience
Traveling Teapots is not a restaurant, we’re a pop-up event hosted by Wood County Museum
Menus are not published ahead of time because we try to accommodate as many dietary restrictions as possible and ensure all of our guests can enjoy their time with us. We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, but our food does not come from an allergen free kitchen. If you have questions about the menu, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Catering will be done by So Many Somethings Desserterie (Perrysburg, OH)
Due to the nature of the event, tickets are not refundable. If you need to change your reservations, we will do everything we can to accommodate your request

Price: $45/Person (if you need a Gluten Free/Vegan Meal please call 419-352-0967 after you purchase your ticket)

Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales
2025-08-14 18:00 - 21:00 | OH
FREE LIVE MUSIC CONCERT AT WOOD COUNTY MUSEUM
The Wood County Museum will hosting its 3rd annual concert series “Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales”, a free concert featuring Live Music on the east wing porch of the historic County Home building on four dates in 2025: June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 11 – starting at 6:00 PM. Each concert will feature 2-3 bands.
The August “Music at the Museum”, will feature 2 bands: The Joe Baker Band • Soul Town
Concert-goers are asked to bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating.
Beer garden & yard games will also be onsite. No outside alcohol will be allowed.
Food Truck lineup: Trip’n Biscuits • Icy Paw

WWII Lecture Series - The We’ll Do It Regiment: The 148th Infantry in World War II
2025-08-12 18:00 - 19:30 | OH
The 148th Infantry Regiment was an Ohio National Guard unit that was based in various northwest Ohio communities, including Bowling Green’s Company F. During World War II the regiment spent five years in active service and amassed 592 days in combat in the South Pacific. The regiment earned the Presidential Unit Citation for its part in the liberation of the Philippines in 1945 and six members of the regiment earned the Medal of Honor. Learn about these Citizen-Soldiers heroic contributions during World War II.

When: August 12, 2025 at 6:00PM
Cost: FREE for members; $7 for non-members (tickets include a self-guided tour of the museum in addition to the program)
***Each person attending must be a member to get the member rate. Members may not make reservations for non-members on their behalf***

About the Speaker: Retired Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann has served as the Ohio National Guard historian since April 2004. A native of Fostoria, Ohio he enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in March 1995 as a cavalry scout and retired on April 1, 2025, after 30 years in the Army. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry for nine years, which included a 2002-2002 mobilization in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Mann was appointed to the Ohio Civil War 150 Committee, Ohio War of 1812 Centennial Committee, and served on the historian team for the U.S. Army World War I Centennial programs in France in Belgium in 2018.

POSTPONED, NEW DATE!!! Safety Fair & Cruise-In
2025-08-09 11:00 - 16:00 | Wood County Museum Grounds, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
🚨 UPDATE: SAFETY FAIR EVENT POSTPONED!!!🚨

Due to our parking field being flooded, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the Safety Fair & Cruise-In event. The new event date is August 9, 2025 from 11AM-4PM.
We are deeply saddened to make this decision, but with current flooding in the field, it simply will not dry out enough in time for the event to be able to handle cars parking in the field — thank you for understanding!
AGAIN THE NEW EVENT DATE: AUGUST 9, 2025 • 11AM-4PM

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Join the Wood County Museum and Safe Communities of Wood County for the 3rd Annual Safety Fair & Cruise-In event on May 17, 2025 from 11am-4pm! Rain or shine!

This is a FREE community event that the public will be able to get an up close look at/in: service vehicles, fire trucks, police cruisers, 1st responder vehicles, tractors, and construction equipment. There will also be a safety fair vendor tent, activities and bounce houses for kids, a car cruise-in (all cars welcome), plus so much more!

We will also have a quiet room located inside the museum.

Food trucks will be on site: Roots Poultry, The Hot Dawg Hut, BD’s Lemonade King, & Porky’s Sweet Spot.
Car cruise-in taking place, new, classic, and antique cars are welcome. Car cruise-in is free to attend/bring your car.

Thank you to all of our sponsors:
Dave & Cindy Hollinger – Lubrizol – Wood County Hospital – Gallon, Takacs, & Boissoneault – Ronald McDonald House Charities – St. Mark’s Academy – UBS Financial Services – Center Twp. Fire Dept. Association – Renewed Outdoors LLC – Josh & Paige Nutter – The Willows at Bowling Green – Habitec Security – Genoa Bank – Toledo Clinic Kouba Dermatology – Edwin & Irma Wolf – UToledo Health – Wright Tire & Automotive.

If you or your business would like to participate with an information table or sponsor, please reach out to the Wood County Museum at marketing@woodcountyhistory.org or to Safe Communities of Wood County at slwiech@bgsu.edu for more details.
We are looking for antique vehicle, antique fire apparatus, antique law enforcement vehicles as well to come display!

Free First Fridays & Make and Take Craft Day
2025-08-01 10:00 - 16:00 | OH
Come out to the Wood County Museum for free Museum admission every first Friday!
Free make & take craft on Free First Friday Days!
August Make & Take Craft: TBA
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.
Exhibits currently on display are:
“For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio By Way of the Poor Farm”
“The Mary & Carl Back Story”
“Chasing the White Rabbit: An Historical Look at American Mental Health” (inside Asylum)
“A Clean Bill of Health: Societal Response to Communicable Disease” (inside Pest House)
(Regular admission $7, always FREE for members).
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.

50th Anniversary Party - MEMBERS ONLY!
2025-07-24 16:00 - 19:00 | OH
Join us on July 24th from 4pm-7pm for the golden celebration of the Wood County Museum! This is an exclusive FREE event for Museum Members ONLY!
(Members will be required to provide membership number)Not a member? JOIN TODAY: https://woodcountyhistory.org/membership/What’s a party without cake and snow-cones (and other refreshments).
We will be giving free rides on our 1950s fire truck!
Finally, at 6pm there will be a special presentation by Curator, Holly Kirkendall, over the 50 year history of the Wood County Museum.The first 150 Museum members at the party will also get an exclusive 50th Anniversary tumbler! (Must be present to get tumbler)

When: July 24, 2025 at 4:00PM – 7:00PM
Cost: FREE for members only
***Each person attending must be a member & members will be required to provide membership number***

Tea Infused Ice Cream Class
2025-07-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
July 21, 2025 • 6:00PM
Join the Wood County Museum & The Summer Kitchen Girls for a cool summer treat as we teach you how to blend tea with ice cream! Learn to make three tea infused frozen treats that have been infused with teas sold at the museum!
Admission: $35/person

Free First Fridays & Make and Take Craft Day
2025-07-11 10:00 - 16:00 | OH
Come out to the Wood County Museum for free Museum admission every first Friday! ***July’s date will be on 7/11/24 due to the federal holiday***
Free make & take craft on Free First Friday Days!
July Make & Take Craft: TBA
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.
Exhibits currently on display are:
“For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio By Way of the Poor Farm”
“The Mary & Carl Back Story”
“Chasing the White Rabbit: An Historical Look at American Mental Health” (inside Asylum)
“A Clean Bill of Health: Societal Response to Communicable Disease” (inside Pest House)
(Regular admission $7, always FREE for members).
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.

Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales
2025-07-10 18:00 - 21:00 | OH
FREE LIVE MUSIC CONCERT AT WOOD COUNTY MUSEUM
The Wood County Museum will hosting its 3rd annual concert series “Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales”, a free concert featuring Live Music on the east wing porch of the historic County Home building on four dates in 2025: June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 11 – starting at 6:00 PM. Each concert will feature 2-3 bands.
The July “Music at the Museum”, will feature 3 bands: Ginger & the Snaps • The Pin Up Project • Amp Wagon
Concert-goers are asked to bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating.
Beer garden & yard games will also be onsite. No outside alcohol will be allowed.
Food Truck lineup: Toledo Chuck Wagon • Leggo My Eggroll • BD’s Lemonade King

WWII Lecture Series - From Dragon's Teeth to Eagle's Nest: A WWII memoir of Stanley Kupi, 14th Armored Division "The Liberators"
2025-07-08 18:00 - 19:30 | OH
Valerie is the proud granddaughter of Stanley Kupi, PFC in the 14th Armored Division of WWII, famously known as “The Liberators”. Stanley left behind a remarkable legacy of rare photographs, artwork, and a candid WWII memoir that the family is now sharing with the world. With the help of experts from around the globe, Valerie has uncovered the historical significance of these photographs, which vividly depict the war through Stanley’s eyes.
As a skilled artist, Stanley also created v-mail postcards to his wife that are now proudly displayed at the Fort Chaffee Military Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas- sharing space with iconic artifacts like Elvis Presley’s military haircut memorabilia. Join Valerie for an unforgettable journey through Stanley’s story, where she will recount his division’s efforts which resulted in the liberation of over 60 towns and villages, including the largest Nazi prison camp.

When: July 8, 2025 at 6:00PM
Cost: FREE for members; $7 for non-members (tickets include a self-guided tour of the museum in addition to the program)
***Each person attending must be a member to get the member rate. Members may not make reservations for non-members on their behalf***

About the Speaker: Valerie Coleman
Valerie Coleman is a current graduate student at The Ohio State University College of Social Work. She is a 1999 graduate of Defiance College where she obtained her bachelor’s in human resource management and minored in economics. While at Defiance, she played four years of Varsity Volleyball and was a co-captain of the team her senior year. After spending 24 years as a human resource professional, she decided to pursue her life’s passion of helping people directly in the social services realm. She currently interns at a local nursing home facility and hopes to help as many seniors as possible during the next step in her career.

Online Silent Auction Fundraiser - SECOND CHANCE!
2025-07-01 12:00 - 2025-07-08 20:00 | OH
2025 Poor Farm Palooza Fundraiser – SECOND CHANCE!
July 1-8 • Online at https://www.32auctions.com/pfpf25SecondChance
Join us for the Second Chance – Poor Farm Palooza Fundraiser Online Silent Auction! Take a look at a few of the items that didn’t get bids during our main silent auction fundraiser!
The Second Chance Online Silent Auction will run July 1 at 12:00 PM until July 8 at 8:00 PM.
The Poor Farm Palooza Fundraiser Online Silent Auction is the Wood County Historical Society’s largest fundraising efforts. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Wood County Museum so that we can continue to offer award-winning exhibits and educational opportunities to you.
Your support ensures the longevity and success of YOUR award-winning local history museum. Please help us reach our goal to raise $15,000 (we raised $14,300 during the main auction, we only need $700 to reach the goal!) by becoming an event sponsor, purchasing a no-show ticket for the Poor Farm Palooza Fundraiser, and by participating in the auction.
**All bids/items are final sale and as is**

Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales
2025-06-12 18:00 - 21:00 | OH
FREE LIVE MUSIC CONCERT AT WOOD COUNTY MUSEUM
The Wood County Museum will hosting its 3rd annual concert series “Music at the Museum Presented by Bowling Green Auto Sales”, a free concert featuring Live Music on the east wing porch of the historic County Home building on four dates in 2025: June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 11 – starting at 6:00 PM. Each concert will feature 2-3 bands.
The June “Music at the Museum”, will feature 2 bands: Nick Foos • The Polka Floyd Show
Concert-goers are asked to bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating.
Beer garden & yard games will also be onsite. No outside alcohol will be allowed.
Food Truck lineup: The Wailing Onion • BD’s Lemonade King

Online Silent Auction Fundraiser
2025-06-11 12:00 - 2025-06-18 20:00 | OH
The Online Silent Auction is part of the Wood County Museum’s largest fundraiser event of the year – Poor Farm Palooza Fundraiser! The online auction portion has over 100+ products up for bid. Peruse the wonderful items generously donated by Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, (& beyond!) businesses. Bidding on an auction item helps us reach $15,000 fundraising goal. Don’t want to bid? Make a donation instead to the Wood County Museum.

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Online Auction • June 11-18
Simply sign up at www.32auctions.com/pfpf25
Once signed up, you’ll be able to bid & donate!

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The Wood County Museum is proud to offer educational programs and entertaining events to all ages throughout the year. Beyond that, the Museum highlights an important part of our collective history by telling the stories of the poor, elderly, and the disabled as one of the few remaining original county poor farms. This year the Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and also opened two exhibits. “For Service & Support” tells the histories of the county infirmary’s disabled residents; this was their home many years ago. “We’ll Meet Again: Remembering WWII” displays artifacts, uniforms, and histories from the war as told through the eyes of folks from northwest Ohio. We are excited for these exhibits, programs, and our 50th year!

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You can also help us reach our goal to raise $15,000 by becoming an event sponsor, purchasing an event ticket, and by participating in the auction.

You can also make donations & purchase Event Tickets at woodcountyhistory.org/event/pfpf25

Poor Farm Palooza Fundraiser
2025-06-11 - 2025-06-18 | Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
The Wood County Museum is proud to offer educational programs and entertaining events to all ages throughout the year. Beyond that, the Museum highlights an important part of our collective history by telling the stories of the poor, elderly, and the disabled as one of the few remaining original county poor farms. This year the Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and also opened two exhibits. “For Service & Support” tells the histories of the county infirmary’s disabled residents; this was their home many years ago. “We’ll Meet Again: Remembering WWII” displays artifacts, uniforms, and histories from the war as told through the eyes of folks from northwest Ohio. We are excited for these exhibits, programs, and our 50th year!
This year we are asking for your support virtually. This includes an opportunity to make a financial donation directly to the society and participate in an online auction.
The Poor Farm Palooza Fundraiser/online auction is the Wood County Historical Society’s largest fundraising event. The revenue goes towards daily operations including educational programs, installation of new exhibits, collections management, and other museum events.
Your support ensures the longevity and success of YOUR award-winning local history museum. Please help us reach our goal to raise $15,000 by becoming a virtual event sponsor, purchasing a non-event ticket, and by participating in the online auction.
Non-Event Tickets are $50
Auction website: 32auctions.com/pfpf25

Thank you to our event sponsors!
Museum Sponsors: Susan & George Winters, Foster Jones Sommers Investment Group of Raymond James
County Home Sponsors: Kirian’s Home Shop, Bill & Bev Hirzel, Anonymous, Lynn & Betty Wineland,
Poor Farm Sponsors: The Copy Shop, Gordon & Lynne Bowman, Paul & Sue Smith, Lanny & Marcia Traber, Michael Sibberson

WWII Lecture Series - WWII Film: From Hitler to Hollywood
2025-06-10 18:00 - 19:30 | OH
Join us for a talk on the U.S. film industry during World War II, examining how Hollywood shaped public morale, produced propaganda, and supported the war effort. Using Casablanca as a key example, we’ll explore the influence of Jewish émigrés on wartime cinema and how studios and stars contributed to America’s efforts both on and off the screen.
When: June 10, 2025 at 6:00PM
Cost: FREE for members; $7 for non-members (tickets include a self-guided tour of the museum in addition to the program)
***Each person attending must be a member to get the member rate. Members may not make reservations for non-members on their behalf***

About the Speaker: Joy Bennett
In addition to serving as the museum’s archivist and curator of the Hancock Historical Museum for the last 10 years, Joy Bennett is the facilitator of the museum’s monthly Classic Movie Night, where she shares the historical context behind the films and leads the discussion after the screening. She is a classic movie enthusiast and holds both a master of arts in 20th Century American & German History and a master of arts in museum studies from Bowling Green State University.

Free First Fridays & Make and Take Craft Day
2025-06-06 10:00 - 16:00 | OH
Come out to the Wood County Museum for free Museum admission every first Friday!
Free make & take craft on Free First Friday Days!
June Make & Take Craft: TBA
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. With support from The Willows at Bowling Green.
Exhibits currently on display are:
“For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio By Way of the Poor Farm”
“The Mary & Carl Back Story”
“Chasing the White Rabbit: An Historical Look at American Mental Health” (inside Asylum)
“A Clean Bill of Health: Societal Response to Communicable Disease” (inside Pest House)
(Regular admission $7, always FREE for members).
Free First Fridays is presented by Visit Bowling Green, Ohio , Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce, & Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau.
