Minster Historical Society

06/01/2026

Celebrate Flag Day with a narrated display of the 35 flags that embody and portray the story of America.

When: June 14, 2026 6:30pm
Where: Minster’s Centennial Park

04/26/2026

We just received word that Katie Horstman will be at the museum today! Stop by to see some of the amazing items in this limited display!

04/25/2026

50 Years Ago
April 22, 1976

Senior Scout Garage Sale – The Senior Scout garage sale will be held on Saturday at the American Legion Hall, South Cleveland St. Remember clean-up week in Minster is the week of the 26th so get ahead start and bring your saleable items to the scouts.

On April 14 at the Wooden Shoe, the Kiwanis of Minster held their weekly meeting. Terri Quinlin gave a short talak on her trip to Washington D.C. to attend the Presidential Classroom. On two occations the students were allowed to visit the capital, as well as many other fascinating places.

Bettenhausen Wins Easter USAC Sprint Race At New Bremen – Duke Cook played Easter Bunny and Promoter Earl Baltes danced a jig all at the fourth US Auto Club Ssprint car race at New Bremen Speedway.

Minster High to Present “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” – The cast has now been announced by the directors, Joseph Veit and Donald Deters. The lead role of Charlie Brown will be played by Gene Ranly.

Junior High Track Girls Win First Meet – Minster Junior High Track girls won their first meet by outscoring Parkway 73 – 23. Minster finished first in 9 of the 12 events and tied for first in another event. Kathy Meiring, Michelle Moorman and Brenda Moorman led the way for Minster by winning their own events plus running on one of the winning relay teams.

Crescent Theatre – Streisand and Cann – How Lucky Can You Get! – Funny Lady

Linda Bohman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Bohman, Minster, became the bride of Richard Moorman, son of Mrs. Richard Moorman, Minster on April 3, 1976 in St. Augustine Church. Rev Gregory Moorman and Rev. Thomas Fortkamp concelebrated the Nuptial mass.

04/24/2026

Join us tonight from 6:00-8:00 for an exclusive look at items from Katie Horstman and Minster mates

04/24/2026

75 YEARS Ago
April 20, 1951

Minster’s High’s Senior Class is county’s Largest – Minster high school, with 40 seniors, again this year has the largest senior class in the Auglaize county school system. New Bremen has 26 seniors, New Knoxville, 15.

Annual Alumni Dance Planned – New and retiring officers of the Minster High School Alumni association met at Earl’s Island. A dinner was enjoyed and a business meeting held. Plans were formulated for the annual dance May 28 at the eagle park.

Lockington’s 225 Residents Prepare to Dedicate New State Canal Locks Park There in June – The Lockington area was chosen for the park because it is the only point along the 24- mile extent of the canal that there are as many locks in so small a space, and because it is at the highest level of the old canal.

Maria Stein – King’s Korner opened up the renovated tavern and grocery Saturday. The tavern is worked out attractively in knotty pine.

Minster Boy Scouts Entertain Parents – Fourty persons, including their parents and committeemen, were guests of the Boy Scouts Monday evening at the scout building. The boys opened the meeting with their pledge, oath and the scout law and other ceremonies. The Scoutmaster C.F. Bowerman, and assistants, R,H. Bernhold and Robert Hoying, aided in the ceremonies for the new boys who are Ronnie Moorman, James Salm, John Bitler, Allen Bachman and Carl Schmieder.

04/23/2026

Fourth Friday at the Museum!

Join us on Friday, April 24 from 6-8 pm or Sunday, April 26 from 1-3 pm!

The Minster Historical Society is excited to announce a new way to connect with our community! We are lunching “Fourth Fridays”, an initiative designed to bring residents together to celebrate our rich local heritage while enjoying the new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (MORA).

Each “Fourth Friday” we are pulling some of our greatest treasures from our archives and putting them in a limited time display, available for one weekend only. 🍻🍷🍹 Grab a drink in a special MORA cup at any participating business and stop at the museum to see the special exhibit!

*** Featuring a special look at items donated by Katie Horstman. Lots of track and cross country scorebooks and personal notes.

*** Look through our collection of Minster Mates scrapbooks!

04/23/2026

100 YEARS Ago
April 23, 1926

Store Robbery – is believed to be in a fair way to be cleared Up – Young man from Versailles placed in the county jail in Wapakoneta. Walter Morgan was brought to Minster last week and ushered into the presence of Mayor A.W. Herkenhoff where a formal charge of complicity in a burglary was read to him. His arrest came about as the result of activities of Mr. Ed Steinemann whose store in Minster was robbed on the morning of Sunday, April 11.

New Machine installed at the Star Beverage Company’s plant – Intended to make their near beer more wholesome and more healthful. The Star Beverage company has installed a new pasteurizer at their plant in Minster.

Messrs. Frank Schmuecker and F.M. Oldiges went to Columbus last Wednesday where they attended a meeting of the Ohio state telephone association. They represented The Minster Telephone company at this convention.

Mr. Louis Berning, son of Mrs. Hy Berning living east of town has had periodical attacks of appendicitis during the past few months. On last Sunday he went to Lima where he underwent surgery on Monday morning. The operation was very successful, and he is getting long as well as can be expected. Members of his family and his local physician Dr. H.J. Gudenkauf were with him.

Mr. Harry Schwieterman and Miss Anna Kemper were united in marriage at the Catholic church at St Sebastian. They planned to establish their home at the Joseph Kemper residence just west of Minster. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Kemper. The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schwieterman.

High School Notes – The Senior class and its instructor were gratified to present their class play to a full house last Friday night.

Track work as progressing in fine form. A new vaulting pole has been added to the equipment and some favorable vaulting records are being established. The local athletes hope to gain some laurels at the County Track Meet.

04/22/2026

50 Years Ago
April 15, 1976

IE Industries Begins 23,000 Sq. Ft. at Versailles – A contract has been awarded and construction has begun for a 23,000 square foot addition to the IE Industries Medical Equaipment Plant in Versailles. In addition to the Medical Group, IE Industries has a Fabricated Metals Group, a Casting Equipment Group, and a Midmark Trencher Group, all at the Minster Plant.

Coming Events – April 24 – Ft. Loramie’s Firemen’s Ball, Lindhause Park, 9pm to 1am – April 26 Community Organizationsl meeting, Minster Historical Society, New City Hotel Building. Tours beginning at 7pm – April 27 – Bloodmobile, KofC Hall Minster 12 noon to 6 pm

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

75 YEARS Ago
April 13, 1951

Local Scouters Take Six-Week Training Course – C.E. Bowerman, scoutmaster of Troop 44, with Robert Bernhold and Robert Hoying assistant scoutmasters and Vernon Naber representing the sponsoring organization completed a six weeks’ Scoutmaster and scouter training.

New Local Enterprise Prospers – Tom Morsey until recently associated with his father O.F. Morsey, and his uncle, Edmund F. Morsey, in the poultry business, recently started a business of his own, that of raising broilers. He has marketed his first birds from his new low-type, 40 by 110 feet poultry house at the east edge of town.

Art Students Get Trip to Columbus – Ten students of the Minster high school art class made a trip to Columbus. After leaving here and arriving in Columbus in the morning, the group expected to visit an art class in session in the city before noon. Students joining the group were Mary Ann Will, Laura Sebring, Joan Helmsing, Patsey Shenk, Mary Froning, Martha Froning, Katy Horstman, John Voskuhl, Ed Garmann and Jim Ahrns.

High Bid For Walkup School Is $4,050. A newly-formed club, organized to promote the Walkup site as a recreation center, purchased the property. Joe Benanzer, whose farm the Hopewell site adjoins on Angel street road, is the new owner of the school.