COLLECTIONS

The Shay Locomotive was built in 1925 by the Lima Locomotive Works. The 24 ton, two truck locomotive was used by the Lima Stone Company and donated to the Historical Society in the early 1950s. It was one of 2,761 Shay engines manufactured by the Lima Locomotive Works.

The John H. Keller Railroad Archives is one of the largest railroad archives in the country. It offers unique drawings and photos from the Lima Locomotive Works as well as diverse collections from the New York Central and more.

Capturing a glimpse of one of Allen County’s largest industries, this photo highlights our extensive collection relating to the local oil industry. Enjoy displays of tools, models, photos, and company artifacts, products, and documents.

In 1885, Benjamin Faurot accidentally hit oil while drilling for gas and water next to his Lima Paper Mill along the Ottawa River.  This event set into motion a flurry of wildcatting and speculation, unparalleled by any other discovery.  For the next fifteen years, the Lima Oil Field, which covered most of northwest Ohio, and parts of Indiana, was the largest oil field in the world.

On December 12, 1933, gangster John Dillinger’s gang broke him out of the Allen County Jail where he was serving time for robbing Citizens National Bank in Bluffton. Sheriff Jess Sarber was killed during the shootout. This exhibit pays tribute to Sheriff Sarber and shows his office and the jail minutes before the escape.

As the center of activity in the pioneer home, this display showcases some of the characteristics of 19th-century living.

The General Store exhibit is one of the Museum’s most popular collections on display. Built in 1860, the storefront is from the grocery of John G. Knoble of Lafayette.

The Model T is arguably the most historically significant automobile manufactured in the United States. It was introduced in 1908 as a four-cylinder vehicle and cost under a thousand dollars at a time when most autos were several thousand dollars. The Model T transformed motoring, as it no longer was considered a wealthy hobby and instead became the common man’s necessity. Model T Fords were a common sight many years after their production halted in 1927.

This restored milk wagon dates back to the 1920s. Up until about 1960, horse-drawn milk wagons delivered bottled milk to the doorsteps of customers. The milk was kept cold with blocks of ice. White Mountain Creamery established a dairy business in Lima in 1912. Beatrice Foods bought the dairy business in 1928, and their brand name milk, Meadow Gold, was adopted.

The wagon marked an era in American Transportation comparatively as important as the locomotive. Wagons were first made in the Conestoga Valley of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania about 1750 and were used for the next hundred years. This covered wagon example brought the McCullough family to Allen County in 1835.

The Steam Fire Engine and Hand Pumper are highlights of our permanent collection.

This horse-drawn hearse was purchased in 1902 by William L. Winkler of Janera. It last was used in 1913. By 1942 it was sold to Bert Hefner, who eventually donated it to the museum.

James E. Grosjean (1861-1938) was a nature and science enthusiast. He created mechanical exhibits featuring his taxidermy and oddities that he collected, including Noah’s Ark, Albino Collection, Ferris Wheel Bird Collection, and Extinct Animal & Bird Collection. Known beyond Allen County, his exhibits were displayed in department stores, such as Marshall Fields in Chicago and Macy’s in New York City. All of these cabinet displays can be seen in The Genius of James E. Grosjean exhibit except for Cock Robin.