Welcome to the Putnam County Museum
Current Exhibits
2025 Student Art Show
Art from 156 talented young artists are featured in this show. Come by and see photographs, illustrations, paintings, sculpture, and more. Submissions come from all across Putnam County. Thank you to Jason Asbury and our other sponsors and supporters for making this exhibit a reality! Click here to view the prize winners.
WJNZ and the History of Radio in Putnam County
Join us to explore the rich history of radio broadcasting in Greencastle, Indiana! Starting with the launch of WXTA-FM in 1966, this exhibit showcases the pioneering efforts of visionaries like Jinsie Bingham, the first woman in Indiana to own a commercial radio station. Under her leadership, the station became WJNZ-FM 94.3, transforming local media and paving the way for greater female representation in broadcasting.
What Bugs Us! and Willis Blatchley
Willis Blatchley grew up in Groveland and became interested in insects while helping on his father’s truck produce farm. Ultimately, Blatchley became the Indiana State Naturalist, publishing numerous reports for the State, four manuals concerning classification of specific insects especially beetles, two autobiographies, and a number of contemplative nature-inspired books. Blatchley discovered many insects that had never been described. Several bear his name, such as this Handsome Fungus Beetle, stenotarsus blatchleyi.
This exhibit contains not only specimens collected by Blatchley more than 100 years ago courtesy of the Purdue Entomological Research Collection, but also the award-winning insect collections of Grace Aker and Justin Evans, an interactive photographic bug mosaic developed by John Garner in conjunction with local photographers, and Blatchley memorabilia loaned by the Blatchley Nature Study Club.
This exhibit is sponsored by Jedele Enterprises. Thank you!
Photo courtesy of Judy Gallagher - https://www.flickr.com/photos/52450054@N04/14350515631/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55247372
What Bugs Us - Activities for Kids!
July 27, 11:00 All About Bees – Where Should I Live?
Children will:
Learn about different kinds of bees and what homes they are most comfortable in
Make their own mason bee home out of provided materials
Best for: children aged 6+
Cost: $5 per participant
August 17, 11:00 Seek and Find: Make your own Insect Viewer
Children will:
Create their own insect viewer out of provided materials
Learn about different kinds of insects and learn about flying vs. crawling insects
Enjoy a reading of Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar
Best for: children aged 4+
Cost: $5 per participant
February 27, 2:00 Camouflage or Not? Design Your Own Insect!
Children will:
Talk about different patterns and colors of insects and the benefits of each
Design their own insect based on what they learned and create a finger painting of it to take home
Best for: children aged 6+
Cost: free!
April 5, 11:00 How Do I Move? Insects that Grab, Walk, and Fly
Children will:
Learn about the different ways that insects move
Compare and contrast details on different insects using a microscope viewer
Find various insects outside in the museum garden, catch them using the "umbrella method" and prepare "finds" with insects discovered
Best for: children aged 6+
Cost: free! (note: children should bring their own umbrellas)
Please call the Museum at (765) 653-8419 to reserve your space for these programs.
Putnam County Potters
Putnam County is home to a strong community of ceramic artists, and the Museum holds an extensive collection including works by:
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Marj and Richard Peeler
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Richard Burkett
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Lance Myers
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Charles Todd Wagoner
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Nancy Lovett
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Scott Cooper
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David Herrold
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David Berg
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and more!
