Message From Museum President

I want to give a big bunch of thanks to those who volunteered at our Clermont County Chamber morning mixer at the museum!

What a great turn-out we had - about 75 people. Most had never been to the museum.

They included members of three other chambers: Little Miami, Milford, and Anderson.

We are so honored to be invited to host the Morning Mixer. Just to have this group of business leaders is exciting for our small museum.

The brunch served and the service our members gave them made it all a wonderful event with lots of connections. There were so many that commented that they were coming back with their families.

Thank you for all the set-up, decorating, welcoming guests, and clean-up to our members: (and I hope I don’t miss anyone)

Susan Barger, Denise Strimple, Kathy Ragle, Roma Ritchie, Vicki Holland, Krista Martin, Jake Hahn, Kim Patton, Bill Shula, Steve and Darci Newman, and Jana Widmeyer.

Without these volunteers at this type of event, the word about our museum would never reach as far as it has. You are truly invaluable volunteers!

Now, for our next venture: Antiques on the Square, on June 6^th . The Bethel Museum will be open 10am to 4pm.

This is wonderful weather for Monette Masonry to be working on the removal and repair of the concrete in the front of the building. I can’t tell you how many people are asking me ‘what’s going on?’.

This work is all part of the Clermont County Community Development Block Grant we applied for in 2024. It included repaving the parking lot and driveway (which is done), replacing the last five concrete windowsills on the building (also done), and this last phase of repairing or replacing all the cracked, damaged and sunken in concrete around the building and the veteran’s memorials on the property. Part of this also included the base for the President Ulysses S. Grant statue which will be dedicated in October. Details to come.

It is so important that all of you understand how much we appreciate your continued support. The work done on the building will bring years and decades of preservation for the artifacts and displays in the museum. A museum that all of us have created together! I get overwhelmed by the comments of people who say they wish they had a museum like ours. It is really something to be proud of!

By the way, if you see Alan Ausman or his son, Josh, please be sure to thank them for hanging the new buntings on our building. They look great!

And be sure to thank Brandon Smith for the continued grounds work that they donate to us each year. They keep the lawn and shrubs trimmed, mulch, plant flowers, kill weeds and remove snow and ice.

Please join us at the museum!

Judi Adams, President

Bethel Historical Society & Museum