Bucyrus Historical Society

08/31/2026

Mark the date, September 20th, on your calendar! It will be here before you know it. Note that this year's walk will be at the old Union Cemetery and Holy Trinity Cemetery—both on Tiffin Street! As usual you won't be disappointed!

08/30/2026

Here is a three minute video documentary, "Couldn't Sleep," about the former “Walter Michael observatory” on Marion Road, and the telescope which it once contained. This documentary has been created by a former Bucyrian, Tim Reinhart. He has given the Society permission to reproduce it here for our viewers to see. That telescope was one of the many “Bucyrus treasures” that “got away” in years past. Thanks Tim for producing this historical remembrance! https://www.facebook.com/reel/1039608988688670

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08/25/2026

Here is a sample of what you may have missed on August 23 at Oakwood Cemetery when our former Curator, Alison Kovac, gave her presentation on John Prat Hopley at his grave site there.

08/17/2026

Explore Oakwood Cemetery History as part of “America 250” this coming Sunday afternoon, August 23, at 3 p.m. at the Hopley family burial plot, Section K.

To benefit the Oakwood Cemetery Association, Alison Kovac, the Society’s former curator and recent recipient of a Bowling Green State University Center for Archival Collections’ Local History Publication Award in the Article Category, Independent Division, will read passages recently transcribed from John Prat Hopley's journal entries (now in the archives of the Ohio History Connection in Columbus), handwritten at age 22 during his transatlantic migration from England to America in 1843. Meet at the newly restored Hopley family grave markers (Section K – near the ravine and the land bridge) at Oakwood Cemetery and learn about Hopley's arrival in Bucyrus to superintend the first Bucyrus Union School in 1856. Also learn about Mr. Hopley's participation in Oakwood Cemetery's Dedication ceremony in June 1859. Oakwood Association President Debra Hoover will share more about the History of Oakwood Cemetery as well!

Bring your favorite folding chair and a donation for the care and maintenance of our beautiful Oakwood Cemetery! (Rain date: August 30).

08/13/2026

Just a reminder! During the Bratwurst Festival our museum is NOT open on Thursday , August 13, but we ARE OPEN FRIDAY, August 14, between 1 and 4 PM, and SATURDAY, August 15, between 1 and 3 PM. Take a break from the sights, sounds, and smells of the festival and walk over one block to visit our museum at 202 S. Walnut St. for some great Bucyrus history lessons in air conditioned comfort!

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08/08/2026

Here’s an intriguing bit of Bucyrus “history” for you! No, it’s not one of the Society’s many unusual artifacts (at least not yet!) but is sitting out by the Bucyrus compost site and wastewater plant off Southern Ave. Thanks to Leeann Grau’s post on the “You know you are from Bucyrus when...” page for calling this to our attention. Can anyone of OUR viewers provide “the rest of the story” behind this bit of local history? We’d love to “hear all about it!” It is also surprising that it does not have a large "B" or possibly the Bucyrus High School Indian head logo painted on it!

08/07/2026

“Bratwurst, bratwurst, up and down the town...” If you need a break from the main street 2026 Bratwurst Festival food and events, simply take a stroll one block to the east, to 202 S. Walnut St., on either Friday, August 14, between 1 and 4 PM, or Saturday, August 15, between 1 and 3 PM. There you can learn some Bucyrus history and view local historic artifacts in air-conditioned comfort in the Bucyrus Historical Society’s Scroggs House Museum. Our Carriage House Annex will also be open but, sorry it is not air-conditioned. You won’t be disappointed! Oh, please finish eating and drinking before coming in. Food and drink don’t look good when spilled on a historic display!

07/31/2026

For those who are not yet aware of it, our friends at the Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works (which will always be "Picking's") experienced a real scare this morning with a fire in the structure's attic. Although we don't know the full details yet, the fire was promptly contained and "put down" by local firefighters, assisted by those from area fire companies as well, with apparently minimal damage resulting. All Bucyrus can be very thankful that this extremely important part of Bucyrus history has been saved! It just goes to point out the vulnerability of any historic structure and its contents. Thanks too, to Bernie Kessler of New Washington for this on-the-spot photo from this morning!

07/27/2026

IT’LL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT: the Bucyrus Historical Society will participate in OHIO OPEN DOORS on Friday, SEPTEMBER 11, 2026, in conjunction with the Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works. Our museum doors will be open from 1:00-7:00 PM

Created in 2016, Ohio Open Doors celebrates Ohio’s heritage and recognizes the importance of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 which also created the National Register of Historic Places. Bucyrus Historical Society’s Scroggs House Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 9, 1974. Come learn about the history of our community and enjoy the extended museum hours for your convenience on this special occasion!

07/27/2026

NEXT UP: The Bucyrus Historical Society Scroggs House Museum will be open during the BRATWURST FESTIVAL 2026—"Brattie Harvests Community"—on FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 from 1 PM to 4 PM and SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026 from 11 AM to 3 PM. See our collection of old Bratwurst Festival commemorative steins as well as ALL of our other displays and exhibits pertaining to old Bucyrus and Bucyrians of years past. Our museum is located at 202 South Walnut Street, only one block east of the main festival activities and stage—an easy walking distance! (These photos are from the 2023 festival)