GREENVILLE – The “Heritage Trees: Planting History” Dedication was held Friday, October 3, at Prairie Ridge Meadow, Darke County Park District in Greenville, with Jim Bucy serving as Master of Ceremony.
The planting of an America 250 Heritage Tree representing Darke County is an example of Darke County Parks, preserving the past, living in the present, and looking to the future.
Jim Buchy gave opening remarks and introduced the Richard Montgomery Chaper, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, and the Fort Greene Ville Muzzleloaders, who posted the Colors for the event.
“What an honor it is to be here today for the Planting of an America 250 Ohio Heritage tree,” said Fort Greene Ville Daughters of the American Revolution Regent, Debbie Nisonger.
Fort Greene Ville Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution presented the DAR America 250 Commendation medal and certificate to Darke County Parks Robb Clifford, Executive Director, Darke County Park District.
“We are very pleased and honored that they requested that we be the site for it. The historical tie in here is perfect,” said Robb Clifford, Executive Director, Darke County Park District. “We felt making it a bridge between the little bit more modern history with the Council House and that Bi-Centennial Celebration and the Ancient Oaks circle back here at Prairie Ridge, it was just a perfect fit.”
“The award is for their demonstration of extraordinary effort in raising awareness of America’s 250th anniversary by planting a Heritage Tree representing our country’s declaration of independence and patriots,” Nisonger stated. “Thank you, Darke County Parks, for your efforts in honoring our heritage in Darke County. We look forward to celebrating our country’s anniversary with you from now and well into 2026.”
“Here in Darke County, we have been fortunate that the ladies at the DAR have gotten us ahead of this 250 group out here,” said Darke County Commissioner Matt Aultman. “In Ohio, they have done this for celebration, and we have always been ahead of the curve here in Darke County, being one of the first communities in the state of Ohio when the state started. Planting this tree here is apropos, right on the grounds where the Treaty of Greenville was signed nearby. Just kind of a wink to history as we look back to what it was and what we are now today.”
“It’s a wonderful thing for the City of Greenville to celebrate much of what is going on here with the early celebration of America 250,” said Greenville Mayor Jeff Whitaker. “There is a lot of history right here in Greenville, and I am pleased we are here to celebrate it. It’s an honor for me to be serving as mayor of this community.”
“This is a special day for all of us here in Greenville and Darke County for the significance that we have to the United States of America,” said Buchy. “With the 250th anniversary coming up, and with the commission planting white oak trees, one in all each of the 88 counties, it is very significant because we have oak trees that are here that are over 300 years old that were here when the Treaty of Greenville was signed and hopefully 250 years from now this tree will be as big as they are.”
When Mr. Buchy was asked when he first realized the Buchy Packing Company property held so much in the history of the United States, he responded, “As I learned about the Treaty of Greenville and what happened here, the more I learned about Greenville and our history, that’s when I figured out this lot was right in the middle of all of it.”
“In Fort Greenville’s history, there was never a drop of blood shed in battle because this was the training ground for the first Standing Army of the United States, the first paid army, and it was only because President Washington and the Congress provided the money to General Wayne to develop that Army,” Buchy continued.
“It took him two years to develop the Army right here in Fort Greene Ville, but look what happened, it paid off, so the rest is history. When I was growing up, and as I learned the significance of what happened, and it’s when I decided that if Buchy’s ever left this property, that I wanted this 14 acres to be in the hands of the public forever, I don’t want to see this land developed.”
“Now it’s preserved because these 10 acres are in the hands of the Darke County Parks, and the Garst Museum now owns the upper four where the Packing Company stood, so it’s always going to be in the public’s hands now,” Buchy concluded.
