About Us
Preserving the History of Bethel Since 1972
Our Mission:
The Bethel Historical Society is dedicated to promoting and teaching the history of the Bethel community by providing an educational environment for people to understand, respect, and learn from previous generations. In our museum, we collect, preserve, and display artifacts, writings, photographs and stories relevant to our past, which will honor those who came before us.
For more than 50 years, our organization has served to commemorate the heritage of Bethel, Tate Township, and surrounding areas.
Today we operate an extensive museum housed in the Grant Memorial building in downtown Bethel. Since taking ownership of this structure in 2019, we have led a large scale capital campaign and succeeded in extensive building stabilization, remodeling, and improvements.
We are proud that the Bethel Historical Society & Museum operates as a debt-free organization. That means, every dollar you donate or contribute to your museum membership goes directly to supporting Bethel Museum's programming, preserving, and maintaining our wonderful collectables, and maintaining the historic Grant Memorial building.
Our success would not be possible without the support of our members, the countless volunteers that assist throughout the year, and our Board of Trustees.
Grant Memorial
A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR MUSEUM BUILDING
The Grant Memorial Building was built in 1929 and 1930, dedicated in 1930 [picture on left]. It was buildt on the site of the former Sink house.
It has served as a community building for our Civic Club, American Legion, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts meetings. The Village of Bethel officws and Police Department used thre building. Bethel's first library was housed in one room under the management of the Bethel's Women's Club, using the side double doors as their entrance. Some people still recal having a chool classroom in the Grant Memorial Building.
It was sold to the Bethel Historical Society & Museum in 2019.
Our members and this community have worked together to preserve this historic building that is soon to be 100 years old in 2030.
Local Supporters:
