PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
BUEHRER HONORED … Fulton County Historical Society Board of Trustees President John Myles (left) presents outgoing trustee Carl Buehrer (right) with an award recognizing his service. The presentation was made during the historical society’s annual meeting and dinner on October 7.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Members of the Fulton County Historical Society Board of Trustees gathered for their annual meeting last Tuesday at the Museum of Fulton County.
While enjoying a banquet dinner, members heard a presentation from Museum Director John Swearingen, Jr., on the museum’s “Hell and Homefront” exhibit, which provided a window into the county’s history during the Civil War.
From the William King family of Delta, who helped hide families in their barn and outbuildings, to E.L. Barber, one of the founders of Wauseon who took advantage of his position as a railroad surveyor to buy up adjacent land before opening a bank to loan money to the purchasers and eventually sold the land records to the county commissioners.
After the courthouse burned down in 1864, to the many county participants in the Underground Railroad as well as those who worked against it, Swearingen painted a picture of how the county was shaped and affected by the Civil War and its participants.
Long-time trustee and multiple-term board president Carl Buehrer was recognized for his work in the wake of his retirement over the summer. Board of Trustees President John Myles presented Buehrer with an award after reading a resolution passed by the board.
“It’s been a pleasure, and I’ve enjoyed it,” Buehrer said. “It comes a time when you’re an antique when you’re in this business, and I feel I qualify for the antique part, so thanks.”
During the business meeting, trustees heard from board Fiscal Officer Judy Warncke and Pioneer Endowment Fund board member Paul Warncke on the status of the society’s financials and the endowment fund, respectively.
Judy Warncke reported that, as of October 1, the historical society has a checking account balance of $33,678.34, a savings account balance of $40,587.47.
Other assets, including cash on hand, inventory, and two Pioneer Endowment Funds, totaled $328,045.97, while fixed assets, including buildings, computers, trains, and equipment, totaled $360,474.51, for total assets of $688,520.48. Liabilities totaled $2,453.99.
Paul Warncke reported specifically on the two endowment funds. Those funds have grown year-to-date from $124,303 to $139,382 for a return of $15,078 or 12.1 percent, and from $106,300 to $119,584 for a return of $13,283 or 12.5 percent, for an overall increase from $230,604 to $258,966 for a total return of $28,362 or 12.3 percent.
Trustees also voted to re-elect trustees Chris Beck, Kayla Baker, Kay Roth, and Gary Daniels, as well as endowment fund board member Ken Baumgartner.
Beck, a 20-year board member, is a retired teacher from Evergreen Schools and chairman of the Christmas at the Cabin event.
Baker, a six-year board member, is an attorney with the Barber Kaper Stamm Group and helps write the script for the Murder at the Museum event.
Roth, a more than 25-year board member, coordinates catering services for events. Daniels, a three-year board member, provides carpentry, painting, and general maintenance services.
Baumgartner, a 12-year endowment board member, is a retired teacher and manages their finances.
Upcoming events through the end of the year include the Haunting History Tours in Lyons on October 24 and 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at a cost of $20, an Antebellum Christmas Tea on November 29 at noon at a cost of $30, and the free Christmas at the Cabin event on December 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. and December 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Exhibits for 2026 were announced, including “Born in Turmoil: Fulton County’s First Quarter Century,” which is currently open and will continue through next year, and “Thirteen Moons in 1776: Life Along Turkeyfoot Creek,” which will open March 3.
2026 will also feature a full slate of events and activities put on by the museum and the Fulton County Genealogy Group, History Teas at History Manor, events at the Lauber Hill Meeting House and the Wauseon Depot, as well as other special events, including several tied in with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
For more information on historical society events, visit the museum’s Facebook page or its website at www.museumoffultoncounty.org.