Staff photo / Bob Coupland Wyatt Ford, a Fowler native and 2014 Mathews High School graduate, holding his son, Stetson Ford, 1, of Georgia, walks through the Butts Family Museum at a recent open house. The Fowler Historical Society is planning special monthly open houses to showcase the museum and celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

FOWLER — The Fowler Historical Society is already working on ways to showcase the township as part of the America250 celebration and is setting special events this year.

In addition to a monthly open house from 3 to 5 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at the historic Butts Family Museum at the corner of Routes 193 and 305, society members are setting up other ways the community can get involved.

Those who help at the open houses greet and guide visitors throughout the museum, pointing out interesting facts about the house, the Butts family and Fowler history.

Cathie Floch, vice president of the society, said the organization is discussing adding more regular events during the year and incorporating some with the 250th anniversary of America.

“In 2026 to celebrate America 250th, monthly themed open houses are being planned.” she said.

Floch said many visitors come to the Butts Museum because of the historical connection.

“Many families have lived here for a long time and stop here to see their local history. Families have their roots in Fowler and stop here to see the history,” she said.

Floch said Fowler was successful in being designated as an America250 community and is planning different events each month, including a community day celebration in the summer.

Richard Orsborn, society treasurer, said Fowler was established in 1799 and has celebrated its 200th anniversary and now will be part of celebrating America’s 250th this year.

Osborn and Floch said local events will incorporate the America250 theme.

Floch said there is a touring nationwide America250 exhibit and Fowler will be part of that display.

“To be included on that is a huge deal,” she said,

Floch said the society members have discussed the idea of a summer community event to celebrate America and Fowler.

“We have discussed the idea of Home Day, which focuses on bringing the community together.” she said.

SUMMER CELEBRATION

Talks have taken place of a special event being possibly set for July 11.

A community planning committee will begin meeting in early 2026 to discuss a summer celebration.

Floch said another successful annual event, which will continue this summer, is the car and tractor show and basket raffle.

The event is scheduled in late August.

Floch said Ella Rising and others coordinate the event, which had a large crowd last summer with 300 raffle items.

“That event was phenomenal.” Floch said.

She said funds from the event help for two $1,000 scholarships for graduating Mathews High School students and for maintaining the Butts Family Museum.

FOWLER TALKS

Denise Rising of the society last year hosted a “Fowler Talks” event in preparation for America’s 250th semiquincentennial celebration. Members of the community had the opportunity to share their stories of growing up in Fowler.

Artifacts and photos were also shared during the interviews.

Rising said people came to the Fowler General Store and Bakery for the interviews.

She said local people shared their memories of growing up in Fowler and information was recorded for future displays.

The society also stayed busy last year with its members cleaning the old headstones at the North and Dugan cemeteries. Some of the markers date back to the 1800s.

“I am very proud we were able to clean so many markers and headstones at the cemeteries. They look new,” Floch said.

Plans are for gravestone cleanups in May and September. The hands-on activities help honor early Fowler residents.

Orsborn said the members have also worked on the Butts Family Museum, including extensive exterior painting and cleaning, improvements to the porch and installation of a new handicapped ramp and railing.

He said when the museum is open each month the Fowler United Methodist Church prepares a chicken dinner with hopes that people will walk to the nearby museum, which is open at the same time.

Orsborn said volunteer opportunities are available for the community to assist the society. He said people can engage the society and contribute to the preservation of the local history and heritage.

The society is planning with dates to be determined:

• Archival Organization Day. The public can assist in organizing and cataloging historical documents and artifacts on the Catalogit program. Volunteers can work on the computer alongside archivists to ensure local treasures are preserved for future generations on the online site. Volunteers can also transcribe handwritten letters and documents to ensure the text is preserved.

• Help maintain the Butts Family Museum and town hall with cleaning and working on setting up displays for open houses or private tours.

• Set up and help run society booths at different events such as Trumbull County Family Day, Trumbull County Fair Historical Village, Christmas and Easter celebrations in the township. Volunteers can greet people, help with crafts, storytelling and interactive sessions.

Orsborn said those who can help at any event can email fowlerhistorical@gmail.com. The society meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month February to November at the community center.

Osborn said the society is hosting a membership drive.