Join us for Old Butler Day!

telling our story. preserving our history. inspiring generations.

Butler Ruritans
presents

Old Butler Day Returns August 22 with Community Celebration,
Living History Program and America 250 Experiences

One of Johnson County's most cherished traditions returns on Saturday, August 22, 2026, as Old Butler Day, established in 1989, celebrates the history, heritage, and community spirit of the "Town That Wouldn't Drown." The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Selma "Babe" Curtis Park in Butler, Tennessee.

Hosted by the Butler Ruritan Club, Old Butler Day features vendors, live music, children's games, concessions, a beauty pageant, raffle prizes, family activities, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit the Butler community.

As part of the day's festivities, the Museum of Butler will present its August Living History Saturday program featuring local author, museum docent, and volunteer coordinator Lynn Farmer. From 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the historic W.S. Stout Store, Farmer will share the remarkable story behind the Watauga Dam Cemetery Relocation Project during an author talk and book signing for her book, When the Dead Must Move. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the author, hear the story of families whose lives were forever changed by progress, and have their books signed.

Visitors are also invited to experience everything new at the Museum of Butler. In celebration of America 250, the museum now features an interactive America 250 Digital Exhibit, allowing guests to explore the history of the Watauga Valley through engaging multimedia presentations. Families with children can enjoy the new Pioneer Passport, an interactive museum adventure that encourages young visitors to explore exhibits, complete activities, and earn a special prize.

As part of the nationwide America 250 celebration, visitors are invited to pick up their official Johnson County America 250 Passport along with a special America 250 commemorative gift while supplies last. It's the perfect way to begin exploring Johnson County's historic sites and commemorate our nation's 250th anniversary with a keepsake marking this once-in-a-generation milestone.

Museum admission is $5 per person, with children under 12 admitted free. The Museum of Butler is also proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to eligible active-duty military personnel and their families.

The America 250 Digital Exhibit, Pioneer Passport, and Johnson County America 250 Passport & Commemorative Gift Program were made possible through TN250.

These projects are funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee administered by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.

The Museum of Butler is operated entirely by volunteers and receives no county or state operating funding. The museum continues to preserve and share the story of Old Butler thanks to the generosity of its visitors and the support of individual and corporate donors.