Our programs
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Upcoming Events
The Knox County Historical Society invites you to its monthly Local History presentation on
Wednesday, May 6th at 7:30 pm.
Debi Lehman, a Knox County native now residing in California, will be visiting to discuss her
work with Stories Behind the Stars, a nonprofit volunteer organization of researchers and writers
who are working to tell the stories of all 420,000 U.S. service members who died during World
War II. The organization’s goal is to one day make accessible the life story of all of those men
and women to anyone with a smartphone.
Approximately 130 men from Knox County were killed in action or died in the line of duty
between 1941 and early 1946. So far, Ms. Lehman has completed about 70 of their stories.
During her presentation, she will highlight local veterans to show how their individual stories
deepen our understanding of history and reveal the profound impact the war had on every
community in Knox County. We will hear the story of a Mount Vernon man who joined the RAF
even before the United States entered the war—and the way that events after his death added to
his family’s grief. We will hear about a radio operator who heroically remained with the injured
men aboard his crippled B-24 bomber, passing up the opportunity to parachute to safety. And
we will hear about the only Knox County serviceman killed on D-Day at Omaha Beach, By
bringing their stories to life, Ms. Lehman helps ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten and that
they are properly honored.
We also invite attendees to share their own stories—or those of their loved ones—who served in
the conflict. Ms. Lehman is always looking to supplement her research with photographs,
anecdotes, or other material that will allow others to know more about the lives of those who
sacrificed so much for their country.
This presentation and discussion will occur at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 at the
Knox County Historical Society Museum, 875 Harcourt Road, in Mount Vernon. As always, the
Museum will be open to visitors both before and after the program. For more information,
please email knoxcountyhistory@gmail.com or call (740) 393-KCHS.
We hope to see you there.
Testimonials
News
This is one of the best kept secrets of Knox County. If you're a local history enthusiast, you should definitely check out the museum. The museum director is very knowledgeable and can tell you just about anything you'd want to know about the county. If he doesn't know the answer, he can help you find out.
This is the best local history society/museum I have ever visited. You will get a personal tour of the immense number of fascinating items, including Paul Lynde's T-Bird, a very unique quilt collection, just to name a few. This is a "don't miss" opportunity if you are traveling through the area!
Neat little county museum which has plenty of local history and a little something for everyone! Paul Lynde was from the town, and they have a nice little section (including a beautiful car he owned) on his life. So much to see - no "one" type of exhibit. From frocks, to rocks, to cars, to computers, to a large stained glass window from a church, to steam powered tractors, to antique toys... the list goes on.
Jim is very knowledge about Knox County and very dedicated to the museum. If you have any questions about the history of the area, stop by to see him. Going through the museum can be slightly overwhelming because their is such a large collection. It has an antique shop feel to it rather than a museum. You never know what treasures you will stumble upon. If you have a particular interest (factories in the area, telephones, wars, the famous people of Knox county, Native American history of Knox County, etc.), ask where to find it-Jim knows where everything is. :) Some of our favorite discoveries so far have been the doll houses, the clothing of the lady doctor, the play bricks, the Dan Emmit collection, the old jail cell, the catalog-style displays, and the classic car.