Variety on display at GCHS during GCD

By Editor | September 3, 2025 |

By Carmen Ensinger

If you have gone through the Greene County Historical Society in past years during Greene County Days and think there is no reason to go again this year – think again.
For the first time in many years, volunteer staffers had the opportunity to explore a second floor storage room this summer and their finds were many.
“This room has not yet been renovated and is full of artifacts and historical items from many years ago,” Historical Society member Larry Gillingham said. “These items have been donated by families committed to artifact preservation and accurate genealogy materials about their own family legacies.”
In addition to seeing items not usually on display, visitors will also encounter some clutter. There is still plenty to see and a tour of the museum rooms, renovated a decade ago, are dusted, mopped and full of donated items in top condition.
Of course there are new items on display this year as well. Those include a piece of hardtack from the Civil War, along with a hand-made leather purse and a brief account of how the items arrived here. There will also be a display of cigar boxes, dating to the days when Greene County had several cigar makers in operation.
Other new items include a children’s roll top desk from the Bonnie and Elby King estate located in the entry foyer and a homemade toy horse and cart finished by Sinnie M. Irwin of Linder Township on April 10, 1912.
The old adage says that a picture is worth a thousand words and thankfully, Greene County had a number of photo studios in various locations to record the county’s history photographically from the mid-nineteenth century on. Some of their prints and photos will be on display and one should take notice of the quality and professionalism which can be found in many of the photos.
A continuous running slide show, produced by staffer Gary Coates, will be running throughout the event showing scenes from the 1952 and 1953 Carrollton High School homecoming parades as shot by members of the John J. Eldred family.
“We cordially invite everyone who comes out for Greene County Days activities to come and visit the Historical Society, located in the historic Lee-Baker-Hodges House on the northwest corner of the Carrollton Public Square,” Gillingham said. “It will be open to visitors on Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or longer) on both days. Come and meet our volunteer staff, hear our many stories, buy a publication, become a member if you like. There is no charge for admission.”