Smith Library of Regional History

The Smith Library of Regional History, located on the second floor of the Oxford Lane Library,  was established by the William E. Smith Family in 1981.  William E. Smith, a professor at Miami University, served as the chair of Miami’s history department and the first director of the William Holmes McGuffey House and Museum.  He collaborated with Ophia D. Smith, a local historian and his spouse, to write History of Southwestern Ohio, published in 1964.  Materials donated by the Smith Family formed the original collection of the Smith Library, which was grown over time mostly through donations made by the local community.  Smith Library now houses an archive of paper records, maps, historical newspapers, and photographs related to the history of Butler County and Southwest Ohio in addition to its book, directory, and yearbook holdings.

Local History & Genealogy