The Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum

02/21/2026

Just a reminder, y’all 😊
We’ve got Van Buren County flags available at the Museum now for $100 each, along with informational cards that share the meaning and history behind the design 🇺🇸

I set a few out this morning so folks can see them up close and read what each part of the flag represents. All proceeds from the flags go directly back into supporting the Museum and the work being done there.

If you’re interested, stop by on our open Saturdays and take a look ⭐

02/20/2026

Just a reminder that the Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum will be open tomorrow, Saturday the 21st, from 10:00–3:00.

I’ll be dropping off some of the laminated Van Buren County flag cards in the morning — these explain the meaning behind the flag details and will be included with flag purchases for those who’ve reached out.

While you’re here, feel free to come by and check out the recent brick and mortar repair work that’s been completed on the old courthouse. A big thank-you to Mix Construction for their work helping preserve this historic building.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

02/20/2026

02/18/2026

🇺🇸 The Van Buren County Flag — What It Represents

Every element of the Van Buren County flag was designed with meaning and intention. Below is a full explanation of what the colors and stars represent for our county.

Colors

Red — Courage
White — Faith and Purity
Blue — Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice
Yellow — Honor and Loyalty

The Five Stars

⭐ First (Top) Star
The citizens of Van Buren County; past, present, and future

⭐ Second (Yellow) Star
Van Buren County’s casualties of war who gave the supreme sacrifice for our freedom.

⭐ Third Star
The natural resources of Van Buren County

⭐ Fourth Star
Industry, including factories, mills, mines, and farms

⭐ Fifth Star
Van Buren County’s prosperity

We wanted to share the full meaning behind the flag for those who have asked, and for anyone who wishes to better understand the story it represents.

We also still have a limited number of official Van Buren County flags available. Each flag will include a printed card explaining this symbolism and history. If you are interested or have questions, feel free to message us.

🏛️⭐️

02/07/2026

📅 Hey y’all! We’ll be open tomorrow!

The Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum will be open this Saturday from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 At the Old Courthouse on the Square — come on in and sit a spell.

Take a walk through the old courtroom, explore our poster exhibits on Big Bone Cave and the Van Buren County All-Women Government, browse genealogical records, or spend some time with the artifacts and stories that make up our county’s history.

🗂️ Board Meeting Notice
We’ll be holding our monthly museum board meeting one hour before opening, at 9:00 a.m.
We’re a small board and are beginning conversations about adding a few dedicated individuals who care about local history and are willing to help with preservation and hands-on work when needed. No pressure — just an open door for those who feel called to help.

🚩 Museum Items Available
We still have a limited number of authentic Van Buren County flags available. These are high-quality, full-size flags made for a standard flagpole and are $100 each. I’ll be sharing a separate post soon explaining the meaning behind every detail of the flag’s design.

We also have a small selection of cemetery books and census books available for anyone interested in local or family history research.

We’d love to have you stop by and share in preserving Van Buren County’s heritage.

02/05/2026

We figured we’d jump in on the trend too 😊

Here’s a little illustrated take on our museum board at the Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum. From right to left: Jimmy Hodges, David Cook, Donna Sullivan and Justin Aughinbaugh.

This one turned out really well, and it felt like a fun way to highlight the folks who care deeply about preserving and sharing our county’s history. We’re proud of the work being done behind the scenes, and excited about what’s ahead.

Thanks to everyone who continues to support the museum—we couldn’t do it without y’all.

01/20/2026

The Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated in honor of Bonnie Lou Rogers Adcock.

In memory of her life and her deep love for this county and its history, her family set up a donation in her honor at her service, with the proceeds going to the museum. Through that kindness, over $700 was raised to help support the preservation of Van Buren County’s story.

Those who gave know who they are, and we want you to know your generosity is already making a real difference. These funds are being set aside for much-needed items the museum has been in need of, including things like dehumidifiers, better window blinds, a reliable ladder, and other materials that help us properly care for the building and the history inside it.

We are currently finalizing prices and details, and we will share an update soon showing exactly what these donations helped provide. Transparency matters to us, and we want everyone to see the real impact their kindness is making.

We are deeply grateful.

01/11/2026

Bids Now Open for Museum Repairs

The Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum has received an estimated $25,000 grant from the state to make building repairs.

01/11/2026

Bringing a Photo Back to Life (c. 1900)

This family photo was taken around 1900, and the two adults in it are my great-great-grandparents. They’re buried at Laurel Creek Cemetery here in Van Buren County.

Before the shutter clicked, there were probably small, everyday movements—glances, little shifts, kids being kids, parents steadying them. This short clip is my way of imagining those human seconds that happened just before and just after this photo was taken.

I started working on this photo a while back, restoring it from the original. Once it felt clear and true again, I wanted to see what it might look like if those few frozen seconds could breathe just a little. This is something I hope to keep building on for the museum as time allows—using old photographs to help bring the past a little closer to the present.

The final frame shows the restored original photograph. The two adults are my great-great-grandparents, William Henry Aughinbaugh and Mary Aughinbaugh (maiden name Johnson).

The children in the photo are Naomi, Gladys, Eunice, and Joe.

01/03/2026

Hey ya'll!
The museum is open today from 10 till 3!
If you’ve been meaning to stop by, today’s a great day to come explore the history of Van Buren County. We’d love to see you.