The Daviess County Historical Society & Museum
The Daviess County Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the 200-year history of Daviess County, IN through exhibits, programs, archives, and more.
Reduced Hours
Wednesday
11 AM - 4 PM
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Always Free Admission
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We're Reopening!
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The museum will be open on Wednesdays from 11 AM - 4 PM by appointment. See the section below for more details
Please note that due to reduced staff capacity we are not able to process new artifact donations at this time, please keep your treasures on hold for now!
COVID-19 Museum Re-opening
The Daviess County Museum will begin re-opening to public visitors on Wednesday, July 22nd and will be available on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 4 PM or by appointment as we are able to accommodate. Please call (812) 257-0301 or (812) 698-1510 to schedule a tour.
What you can expect from us:
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A guided tour with museum staff
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Staff will be wearing masks
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Staff will sanitize between every tour
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Hand sanitizer will be available through the museum for visitors to use
What we expect from our guests
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Visitors should sanitize hands before going into a gallery
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Guests must wear masks inside the building
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Call ahead to avoid waits, only one individual/group tour will be granted at a time.
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Maintain social distancing from volunteers
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Please avoid coming if you are feeling ill or if you have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
DCHS Membership Program
Support Your Local History
Becoming a DCHS member is the most convenient way to support the mission of the historical society. Members enjoy great benefits including the bimonthly newsletter with exclusive features and notifications of upcoming museum events. Click here to download and print the membership form.
For memberships larger than $25, enter the desired amount under "Donation Per Item."
Donating in honor or memory of someone? Let us know below. Please include your name and the honoree with your message.
Daviess County COVID-19 History Project
The mission of the Daviess County Historical Society involves not only studying and preserving history but also recording history as it is taking place. To that end we want to make sure as best as possible to document Daviess County's response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have prepared this self-interview questionnaire (PDF format, Microsoft Word) for you to answer and return to us. Our email address is dchistory@sbcglobal.net. We are also asking you to consider showing us your photographs, journals, art projects, videos, or any other materials you or your family are making during these events. You may email us about transmitting digital files or prepare them to be brought to the museum once we have reopened.
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Thank you for your consideration, and we hope everyone stays safe during these historic times.
The Home of Your History
The Daviess County Historical Society is dedicated to collecting and maintaining the history of our community. We maintain the Daviess County Museum in the old Masonic Lodge on Main Street in Washington, originally built in 1869. The museum is filled with artifacts and exhibits to educate and entertain all ages of Daviess County residents and visitors alike. It also holds an archives room with many resources for researchers.
Currently Featured Exhibits
Discover Daviess County in ways you never have before with our curated exhibits.
Daviess County Rails
Many families in Daviess County can trace their lineage through the railroad industry. Learn about some of these generations of railroaders and the development of the railroad lines of Daviess County.
Daviess County Black History
Explore biographies and histories of significant African-American people and institutions in Daviess County including Isaac & Jacob Hawkins, Beulah AME Church, Dunbar School, Kay Grainger, and many more.
Museum Events
All museum events are currently suspended due to COVID-19. We will inform you when the situation changes.
Daviess County Military Review
The DCHS is currently planning a publication documenting Daviess County veterans past and present. If you have information on a military veteran please download this form (PDF or Word) and return it to the museum with a photograph and optional short (200 words or less) biography. You may bring a photograph to the museum to be scanned and returned to you the same day. Submissions may also be sent by email to dchistory@sbcglobal.net.
Contact Us
212 E Main St Washington IN United States 47501
(812) 257-0301