Annie Oakley died nearly 98 years ago, and you would probably believe there couldn’t be anything new to learn about the legendary sharpshooter. If that is your belief, you’d be incorrect. The Annie Oakley Center Foundation and Garst Museum recently received items from a private collection that gives another glimpse into Darke County’s most notable daughter.
What’s new? Did you know Annie slept with a gun under her pillow when she traveled alone? Stop by the Garst Museum to see the pearl-handled revolver that belonged to Annie Oakley. The revolver, along with a few other artifacts, are temporarily on exhibit in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room at Garst Museum. Once everything is cataloged, some items will be included in the permanent Annie Oakley exhibit. There were numerous letters and newspaper clippings in the collection from Annie Oakley, including the letter that stated she slept with the gun under her pillow.
The new artifacts were made possible through the donation of a private collection. The collection belonged to the heirs of William and Jennie Longfelder. The Longfelders were more than acquaintances of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, William Longfelder, of Nutley, N.J., was the executor of their estates.
The items had been stored in a safe deposit box for nearly a century, but now visitors to Garst Museum can see a few of the items before they head to the permanent collection. There is no charge to see the temporary exhibit.
The Annie Oakley Center Foundation worked with the Longfelder heirs for two years in order to receive the artifacts. Garst Museum’s Annie Oakley specialist and member of the evaluation team, Brenda Arnett, stated, “This is a treasure trove of great artifacts and research material about Annie Oakley.” Dr. Clay Johnson, Garst Museum CEO, commented, “This is a unique collection of items with excellent provenance and connection to Annie Oakley.”
Stop by Garst Museum to see this temporary exhibit while you tour the museum.
