FOWLER — The Butts Family Museum at the intersection of state Routes 193 and 305 at Fowler Center has reopened this year following a two-year closure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Fowler Historical Society, which showcases historic items in the museum, will host an antique car and tractor show, bake sale and basket auction Sunday on the museum grounds.

Donations of baskets, gift cards or anything for the auction, as well as baked goods for the bake sale can be dropped off at the museum 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The museum will be open for public viewing from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The show is set for noon Sunday with the basket drawing starting at 3 p.m. The public can bring lawn chairs.

On Memorial Day, the museum opened its doors for a short time to showcase military exhibits. Museum curator Karen Dahman said that was the first time it opened since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Dahman said she and curator Richard Orsborn and other Fowler Historical Society members have been getting more than 500 items cataloged for future planned online viewing.

Denise Rising, society secretary, said a grant was obtained from the Trumbull County Historical Society for cataloging.

“We have reached more than 500 items being cataloged,” she said.

Rising said the cataloging was done during the pandemic.

“When we thought of Memorial Day services at the center, we thought it would be a good time to reopen. We felt we should reopen since people will be out. People could come in after the parade and service,” Rising said.

Military artifacts from World War I and II were showcased in May. Dahman said there was also a display of her father, George Croft Jr. who served during World War II, and her grandfather, George Croft Sr., who served during World War I. Croft Jr.’s military journal also was featured from his time serving on a ship.

Dahman said soon the items will be linked to the Trumbull County Historical Society for public viewing and eventually Fowler Historical Society will have its own site. Dahman said much of the computer work was done by her and Osborn, who took photographs of the items.

She said David Cover, society president, had a lot of information available on many items. Each photographed item includes its history.

Rising said she wants to have the museum open once per month.

“We would like to capture the interest of a younger generation, to be able to come in and learn of the history. We are learning ourselves and would like to keep that going,” Rising said.

Dahman said the society gets donations for the house every once in awhile, often finding a box of items dropped off.

Orsborn said it was time consuming to take photos of the items.

“The most important thing was taking the photos so we did not have any glare in the picture. We are not done yet. We have more than 1,000 other items to still do. It will be a project,” he said.

Dahman said the preservation grant required 500 items be done.

Kelly Burns of Jamestown said it is nice for the public to have the opportunity to see the local history in the museum collection.

“It is very interesting. You can learn of piece of history of this community,” she said.

Esther Westfall of Howland is working on her dissertation in history.

“This is a great opportunity to see the local history and what is displayed here,” she said.

Rising said the house has a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, bedrooms and basement.

Orsborn said he moved into Fowler in April 2020 and became interested in being active with the historical society.

“It is a really beautiful house with many nice items inside. It will be nice to start getting more people to come inside,” he said.

The society’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the community center.