Exhibits and Collections

The Putnam County Museum boasts a permanent collection of nearly 2000 Putnam County related artifacts. This does not include the number of items that we take in on loan for special exhibits. Please contact us if you have items of Putnam County significance to donate to our collections.

Our exhibits at the Museum are constantly changing. The exhibits in the Art Walk, Community Curator, Founding Families, and County Commerce spaces rotate so that we have at least one new exhibit every month. If you or any organizations you are involved with are interested in exhibiting in one of these areas, please contact us.

Currently on Exhibit at the Putnam County Museum


Putnam County and the Civil War

This exhibit looks specifically at the significance of the Civil War in Putnam County. Sections included are: The Gathering Storm, Marching Off to War, The War at Home, and Remembering the War. A link to our online exhibit can be found here


Art Walk—Student Art Show

Our third annual Student Art Show has been quite a success with 128 entries from Putnam County students ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Public, private, and home school students are invited to enter art works. This year’s art show was made possible through the generous support of the Asbury Endowment for the Arts at the Putnam County Community Foundation


County Commerce—Wilson Brothers Greenhouse

Founding Families—Alfred Hirt and the Hirt Family

Community Curator—Master Gardener’s


African American History of Putnam County

An interesting look at the long history of African Americans in the county.


Prevo

An exhibit paying tribute to the iconic department store that was in Greencastle for many years.


Dillinger’s Greencastle Heist

His infamous half hour in Greencastle’s Central National Bank, his largest haul ever at $134,783.09 in cash and bonds.


Edith Browning—The Chewing Gum Lady

A great tribute to the woman known for her generosity with Wrigley’s chewing gum.


Green Acres—The Putnam County Home

An interesting collection of items from the County Home which closed in 2009.


Cowboy Don McClain

He sold “cars to the stars,” was an avid marksman and leather craftsman.


Natural History

An array of artifacts reflecting the importance of items found in our natural surroundings.


Round Barn Interactive Children’s Area

Take time out to play with history!


Home Life

The story of an average Putnam County home including the chores of cooking and sewing.