New Knoxville Historical Society Plans Expanded Fall Open House September 27

NEW KNOXVILLE — The New Knoxville Historical Society will celebrate local history and the nation’s 250th anniversary during its 2026 Fall Open House on Sunday, September 27.

The free event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Historical Society grounds. Angie Klosterman and Paul Bambauer recently appeared on WCSM’s Spectrum to discuss the event and the organization’s work to preserve the community’s history.

The New Knoxville Historical Society was founded in 1984 to preserve historically significant objects, locations and information connected to New Knoxville and Washington Township. The organization also collects records and memorabilia, publishes historical materials and documents important events in the community’s history.

The Historical Society’s Heritage Center complex includes six buildings: a house, doctor’s office, log cabin, barn, summer kitchen and barber shop. All six buildings will be open during the Fall Open House, with board members available to answer questions.

Klosterman said the buildings contain enough artifacts that visitors are unlikely to see everything during a single trip.

The Fall Open House will begin at 1 p.m. with a community choir performing patriotic music in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary. Anyone who enjoys singing is invited to participate, regardless of experience. The choir will hold its only rehearsal Sunday, September 13, at 4 p.m. at the Methodist church.

A new craft and farmers market will also open at 1 p.m. Vendors are expected to offer items including honey, beaded crafts and other locally produced goods. There is no charge to reserve a vendor space, and additional participants are welcome. Anyone interested may call Paul Bambauer at 614-499-3524.

A food truck will also be available during the afternoon.

The New Knoxville High School Marching Band will present a concert of patriotic music at 1:30 p.m. Organizers are also planning a presentation of the American flag by young members of the local auxiliary.

Vintage farm tractors and machinery will be displayed beginning at 2 p.m. The exhibit will include steel-wheeled tractors, horse-drawn equipment and single-cylinder engines.

Visitors will also be able to watch demonstrations involving a treadle lathe, beam drill and hand-operated seed cleaner.

Bambauer said the equipment provides an opportunity for younger visitors to see how farming was done before modern tractors and technology transformed agriculture.

World War One and World War Two memorabilia will also be displayed. Two collectors are expected to bring uniforms, a pup tent, military sleeping quarters, shell casings and other artifacts. Some items have connections to veterans from the New Knoxville area.

The Heritage Center also maintains a permanent collection of military items that belonged to former local residents.

Children’s activities will include pedal tractors and a large play area filled with shelled corn. A petting zoo is expected to feature rabbits, goats and a rooster with a tail approximately four feet long. Organizers are also working to bring calves to the event.

Free popcorn, cookies and lemonade will be available throughout the afternoon.

Among the unusual items inside the museum complex are early medical instruments in the doctor’s office and a wooden chain measuring approximately 20 to 30 feet that was carved from a single piece of wood.

The collection also includes antique farming and woodworking equipment, materials from former New Knoxville businesses, patent records, family photographs, genealogical information and an original map of the village. The Historical Society’s collection even documents a family connection between New Knoxville and former President James K. Polk.

The organization accepts donations of photographs, documents, family histories and other local memorabilia. Many records and biographies are also available through the Historical Society’s website for people conducting genealogical research.

The Heritage Center is normally open on the fourth Sunday of each month from May through October. Klosterman and Bambauer said the larger September event serves as a celebration of the community support that allows the volunteer organization to continue preserving local history.

The 2026 New Knoxville Historical Society Fall Open House will be held Sunday, September 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission and refreshments are free.