Our history

The Butler County Historical Society held their first meeting in 1924. 

The group met into the 1930s then became inactive until 1950 when a failed attempt to get the organization revitalized failed, then in 1960, under the leadership of J Campbell Brandon, the Society was brought back to an active organization.  Since then, the Butler County Historical Society has developed numerous events, programs, exhibits, and collections all designed to display Butler County's history. The Society is a 501(c)3, private non-profit.

The Society owns three separate museums, the Senator Walter Lowrie Museum, the Little Red School House, and the Cooper Cabin Pioneer Homestead. All properties are owned and maintained by the Butler County Historical Society and are used throughout various times of the year to exhibit Butler County's diverse history. We have one of the largest collection in the county of documents, genealogical (family) collections, artifacts, and volumes pertaining to our county.

The mission of the Butler County Historical Society is to collect, preserve and interpret the documents, artifacts and historical sites of Butler County’s rich heritage for the educational benefit of the public.

Want to volunteer with us? Learn more here

Jennifer Ford, PhD., Executive Director

Sara Donaldson, MLIS., Collections Manager