the daniel hertzler house museum
Step back in time to 19th Century Clark County!
Get to know what Pre-Civil War life was like through the eyes of a local legend, Mennonite pioneer and wealthy entrepreneur Daniel Hertzler. Hertzler was a 19th century corporate king and a money-lender who owned a grist mill, saw mill, brick distillery, whiskey distillery and over 1,000 acres of farmland.
Hertzler’s wealth and status would ultimately lead to foul play and Mr. Hertzler’s demise. Experience the mystery – piece it together for yourself and investigate the house’s unsolvable murder while on your tour.
Dates & Times
Open Special Sundays, May to August and for special seasonal events (check Facebook for latest news).
Tours are also available by reservation upon request. Call 937-882-6000 for more information.
Location
George Rogers Clark Park
930 South Tecumseh Road
Springfield, OH 45502
Phone: 937.882.6000
info@clarkcountyparks.org
Admission
- Adults: $10.00
- Students – Grades 9+: $3.00
- Students – Grades K-8: $1.00
- With Admission to Fair at New Boston: Adults – $5.00 / All Students – $1.00
Like so many early Americans Daniel Hertzler was an entrepreneur. Born in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in 1800 he grew up as a Mennonite. During the early 1830s Daniel, his wife Catherine, and their first child Barbara moved to Clark County Ohio. He managed a farm, a sawmill, a gristmill and a distillery. Later in is life he would start the Old Clark County Bank.
In 1850 Hertzler purchased 315 acres of land southwest of the Springfield. After tearing down Jonathan Donnels 1795 log cabin, the Hertzlers built their home overlooking the site of the old Shawnee village of Piqua.
The Hertzlers would have 10 children and lived a good and prosperous life until the fall of 1867. Even with owning a bank there were rumors Daniel Hertzler kept large sums of money in his home. Just rumors perhaps, but that was all that was needed. On October 10,1867 Daniel Hertzler was found shot to death in the northwest room of his home. Authorities arrested 2 men suspected of the crime, but they later escaped and the mystery was never solved.
The farm stayed in the family until 1914 and is today owned by the Clark County Park District. Restoration began in the 1960’s and continues today. The kitchen fireplace has been rebuilt with its secret metal box placed within. Today the museum is furnished to its1855 appearance of a pre-civil war American home.
Daniel Hertzler built his barn in 1854 in the style of his Pennsylvanian roots. In 1951 the structural integrity of the barn was such that it had to be torn down. For the next 56 years just the 40 x 60 foundation of the old barn could be seen. In 2007, the barn began to see new life.
On the Chamberlin farm in Montgomery County Ohio a barn similar to the Hertzler barn was set to be demolished until preservationists stepped in. They dismantled the structure and carefully moved it to Clark County. Today the Chamberlin barn has been refitted and rebuilt on the foundation of the original Hertzler Barn. A perfect marriage completing the Hertzler homestead museum.
Upcoming Events
The George Rogers Clark Heritage Association (GRCHA) appreciates the support local businesses and individuals have provided to keep The Fair at New Boston™ an annual living history event. A tradition since 1982, we are still going strong, thanks to our Sponsors and people like you.
The Fair is both our largest educational event and largest fundraiser. If you are unable to attend the Fair this year, you can still support the event through your PayPal donation.
