Butler County residents invited to hear Augspurger history


How to go

What: Sundays in June

June 5: The Otelia Augspurger story

June 12: How to “read” a barn

June 19: The Augspurger family cemetery

June 26: Charles Richter and his earthquake scale

Where: Chrisholm Historic Farmstead MetroParks, 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton

When: All programs at 2 p.m.

Cost: $3 donation per family

More info: www.chrisholmhistoricfarmstead.org

TRENTON — Ever wonder for whom Augspurger Road is named?

The public is invited to learn about the Augspurger family on Sunday at the Chrisholm Historic Farmstead in Trenton, which began in 1830 as the home of Christian Augspurger.

He was the leader of the Amish Mennonite settlement in Butler County.

The guest of honor at the MetroParks Sundays in June program is Otelia Augspurger, as played by Marilyn McKnight.

Otelia is Christian’s granddaughter.

The character will tell of Otelia Augspurger’s pioneer Amish grandparents, growing up on the farm and attending Western College in Oxford.

Visitors will also hear about her marriage to Elias Compton of Monroe, and how she was named 1939 Mother of the Year.

According to a release, Otelia Augpurger witnessed conflict in Butler County’s Amish Mennonite community over manner of dress, marrying outside the faith and use of musical instruments.

The visit begins at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Augspurger house on the farm. The home and gardens are open for self-guided tours from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Docents will be on hand to answer questions, and refreshments will be served,” according to a release.