Events and Exhibits

There’s always something happening at the Great Bend Museum! From rotating exhibits to special programs and community events, we offer engaging ways to explore Jackson County’s history throughout the year. Whether you're a lifelong history buff or just curious about the past, we invite you to join us and get involved.

Check back often for updates—new programs are added regularly!

“Behind Clara’s Lens”: The Life and Photography of Clara Weisheit

On view: May 17^th, 2025 – May 17^th, 2026

Step into the world of Clara Weisheit, a gifted amateur photographer who captured everyday life in early 20th-century Ravenswood with striking clarity and care. Behind Clara’s Lens showcases dozens of her original photographs—many never before exhibited—alongside personal artifacts and contextual materials that bring her story into focus. Clara’s work offers a rare and intimate perspective on the social, cultural, and physical landscape of her time, documenting street scenes, floods, family life, and rural labor. Though nearly lost to history, her images have been preserved and reclaimed, revealing a photographer whose eye for detail and composition rivals that of professionals from her era.

Plan Your Visit:

Location: The Great Bend Museum

• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 12-4 PM (excluding Federal holidays)
• Admission: $5 for adults, free for children under 18

Acknowledgments:

This exhibition is made possible with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council, an anonymous sponsor, Rob Benson, and the Jackson County Historical Society. Special thanks to the Massillon Museum for their support and encouragement early in the project.

Coming Up

[see attached programming schedule]