SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

America 250 – Celebrating Innovations from Ohio –> February 2026

Bainbridge Twp. Historical Society is joining the America250 celebration of Ohio’s Innovators through a new exhibit at our museum located at 17870 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge. Ray and Koop Ferwerda were two brothers living in Lake Lucerne, Bainbridge, who invented the Gradall excavator in 1944. The patent was sold to Warner & Swasey and the Gradall became an international sensation in the industry. As one of the most successful inventions contributing to the modernization of road and bridge construction, the Gradall and the Ferwerda brothers will be honored at our Bissell-Tucek Museum with a special exhibit including movies, photos, books and designs of the excavator. To allow for more people to experience this special exhibit, our museum will have expanded hours for the month of February. Stop by to marvel at this invention that has forever changed the construction industry. Admission is free.

America250 Event at the Bissell-Tucek House Museum:

What: Special exhibit featuring a display and video of the Ferwerda Brothers from Bainbridge (Lake Lucerne), inventors of the Gradall machine.

When: February 16, 28 — 10:00am-1:00pm
February 7, 12, 15, 21 — 1:00pm-4:00pm

Where: Bainbridge Historical Society Bissell-Tucek Museum, 17870 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge (just south of the fire station)

Check out the Events tab for additional updates on our upcoming events!

 

 

A little about the Bainbridge Township Historical Society…

In 1817 our Township was named after Commodore William Bainbridge, a hero of the War of 1812.

The Bainbridge Historical Society was organized in 1990 to preserve the history of the township and remind residents of “Old Bainbridge”. In order to do so, the society collects artifacts and memorabilia from local residents to display in the Bissell-Tucek House Museum.

The south portion was constructed in 1835 by Justus Bissell, the township’s first postmaster. The north section was added in the 1870’s by John and Lovina Edick . The house served as a residence for 9 different families between 1835 and 2000, with Frank Tucek being the last owner for nearly 60 years. It is now a history museum for the township. Rooms contain furniture, household accessories, tools, photographs, books and other collectibles.

The Bainbridge Historical Society meets monthly.  Please check our Events-Meetings page for dates, times and locations.