Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum

Andrew L. Tuttle, a lifelong resident of Defiance, Ohio, bequeathed his extensive collection of Native American artifacts, coins, documents, stamps, military memorabilia, and other artifacts, to the city of Defiance with the stipulation a museum would be established in his name. The City accepted the entire collection in 2003 and steps were taken to catalog and stabilize the collection. The Tuttle, as the museum has been nicknamed, officially opened to the public in May 2011.

Although the museum bears Tuttle's name, the museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the city of Defiance and the surrounding area. The exhibits tell Defiance's story by highlighting the who, what, when, where and how. Therefore, the exhibit topics change from time to time to allow more of the story to be told.

Come and view first hand why the City of Defiance has become a "Great Place to Live."

The Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum has been created to foster an understanding and appreciation of the history of the city of Defiance and its immediate surrounding area by responsibly collecting, preserving, interpreting and exhibiting items from the area's natural and cultural history for the benefit of present and future generations.

Randall L. Buchman

May 12, 1929 – July 28, 2022

Randall L. Buchman’s life in Defiance, Ohio as a historian, an educator, researcher, gifted storyteller, preservationist, archaeologist, and author has shaped the way the Defiance community embraces its history. 

Buchman was appointed Defiance City Historian in 2002. In 2003, the city of Defiance was gifted the vast collection of the late Andrew L. Tuttle. Under Buchman’s direction the collection was stabilized and accessioned with the Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum being established in 2011.  

As the city historian, Buchman created the Town and Gown: History of Defiance speaker series, the Defiance City Hall of Fame, and Fifty and Still Going business recognitions that are ongoing. 

Buchman championed Native American history. In 2022, the city of Defiance dedicated a stretch of land along the Auglaize River as the Buchman Park on the Glaize in his honor. The intention is to create a park that lifts up the history of the indigenous people who lived in the Defiance area. 

Buchman’s legacy and influence will live on through the Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum and its exhibits, programs, and events. 

Andrew L. Tuttle & His Legacy

Andrew L. Tuttle is remembered in Defiance as a unique individual who had a passion for collecting fine objects, and who became the primary impetus and benefactor of the current Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum.
Andrew L. Tuttle was born in Defiance, Ohio on August 24, 1918. During his early years he lived at 211 East High Street, in Defiance, overlooking the Maumee River. Perhaps his father or grandfather sparked his interest in Native American tools and culture as they trekked the fields of Northwest Ohio looking for artifacts to collect.

Andrew Tuttle graduated from Defiance High School in 1937 and served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Ohio State University and a master's degree in business from Harvard University in Cambridge.

Many facets of Tuttle's life are a mystery, but he definitely was a world traveler whose excursions allowed him to expand his intriguing collection of coins, stamps, sculptures, Native American artifacts, and much more.

Unfortunately, in 2003 Andrew L. Tuttle died in a car accident while returning home to Defiance from Florida. It was his final wish that his entire collection be a gift to the City of Defiance providing the city would establish a museum in his name. The Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum opened proudly to the public in 2011.

Home Saving & Loan Building

On April 18, 1888, several local businessmen founded The Defiance Home Saving and Loan Association, which grew to serve the financial needs of the community as well as play an important part in the city's development. By 1917, the Home Saving and Loan occupied an impressive classic Roman style building at 514 West Third Street.

The Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum is proud to call this historic Defiance landmark its current home.

Help the Tuttle

Do you have items that may be of interest to others?

Residents can share local history-related items with the Tuttle by calling 419-782-0746 to arrange an evaluation time with a staff member.

Closings & Postponements

Dear Tuttle Guests and Friends,

The Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum has resumed its Thursday and Sunday hours. Wearing masks are at the discretion of the visitor and the Tuttle volunteers.

Please keep updated by visiting the Tuttle website and Facebook page. If you need to reach the Tuttle, call 419-782-0746 or email the Tuttle Museum.

Sincerely,

Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum's Staff

Richard Rozevink, January Bechtel, Herman Dally, Judy Dally

Resources

Edwin Phelps Memoirs

Edwin Phelps was an early pioneer in Defiance County. As an entrepreneur and a civic leader holding city and county offices, Phelps was instrumental in the county's development. He recorded his life's journey in a memoir.

Some of the Phelps memoirs were published in the Defiance County Express in 1886 and 1987 and reprinted in the Defiance Crescent-News in 1934. Another portion was published in the Northwest Ohio Quarterly in 1945.

Those articles, in PDF format, can be accessed through the Defiance County Genealogical Society.