AM 250 Pioneer Ice Cream Social

In keeping with the America 250 July theme of “Ohio Gathers” the Beavercreek Historical Society is sponsoring its annual community Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 19, 5:00-7:00 at the Tobias-Zimmer Barn at Wartinger Park, 3080 Kemp Rd. The community is invited to gather for ice cream, fun, and friendship to celebrate our freedom, honor our nation’s history, and observe Ohio’s contributions to America over the past 250 years. The historical Wartinger Park was dedicated as John H. Wartinger Park in 1975, honoring a local teacher and community servant. In the years following, it became the home of four early Beavercreek family historic cabins representing the first settlers in the area: Philip Harshman (1804), Samuel Ankeney (1828), John Nicodemus (1811), and George Jarusiewic (1805). The Tobias-Zimmer Barn (1858) was added in 1996 (and rebuilt in 2022) to complete the collection. All buildings will be open to visitors during the event. The Ice Cream Social takes place in the park’s Tobias-Zimmer Barn, a very fitting tribute to the barns of old which were the gathering places in the county. In addition to serving a critical role in farming for storing crops and sheltering animals, barns were the very embodiment of community, starting with the communal effort of barn raising where locals came together to erect their neighbor’s structure in a matter of days. So important were the barns to the farmer and the community, that they were often built before the farmhouse. Early barns were vital hubs, witnessing weddings, dances, and picnics and providing a place for the social interactions of early pioneers-which often included ice cream as a special treat. The celebration will feature an America 250 traveling exhibit from Greene County Records Center and Archives showcasing notable early Greene County residents with national significance throughout history. The mission of the Beavercreek Historical Society is to preserve structures of historical significance, develop and present educational programs, operate a learning/research center, and co-manage Wartinger historical park with the Beavercreek Parks, Recreation and Culture Division to educate students and citizens about early pioneer life in Ohio. The Beavercreek community is invited to celebrate America 250 by joining fellow Americans for a beautiful evening in the park complete with deliciously cold ice cream. This event is free and open to the public.