10-30-2026 11:39pm

Carillon Historical Park's New Restaurant Has Ties To Waynesville

Beth Callahan Editor

DAYTON, OH -- Visitors to Carillon Historical Park will soon have a new dining option, additional historical exhibits and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the holiday season as Dayton History prepares to close out 2026.

The announcements were among several updates shared during Dayton History's annual meeting this week by President and CEO Brady Kress.

One of the biggest developments is the opening of Cooper's Kitchen inside Carillon Brewing Co., bringing food service back to the historic brewery in time for the holidays.

The restaurant will be operated by the team behind Archer's Tavern in Kettering and Centerville and The Stone House Tavern in Waynesville, giving the new venture a connection to Warren County.

Cooper's Kitchen is named after Daniel Cooper, an important figure in Dayton's early history. When the city's original settlers discovered they did not legally own their land, Cooper purchased the properties and resold them to the settlers under their original terms.

The restaurant will feature German-inspired fare, including beef on weck and footlong pretzel braids, complementing Carillon Brewing Co.'s historic beers.

Elsewhere in the park, work is progressing on a future Performance Barn. The historic structure was rescued from eastern Montgomery County, and researchers will examine its wooden timbers to help determine its age.

A new exhibit honoring former Ohio Gov. James M. Cox is also nearing completion. Cox, a newspaper publisher and former congressman, served three terms as Ohio governor and was the Democratic presidential nominee in 1920, with Franklin D. Roosevelt as his running mate.

The park also recently received national recognition when U.S. Rep. Mike Turner entered the story of its resident bald eagles and eaglets into the Congressional Record. The birds nest above the building housing the 1905 Wright Flyer III, creating a symbolic connection between two icons of American flight.

During the annual meeting, Alex Heckman, Dayton History's vice president of museum operations, was recognized for 25 years of service. He received an 1888 Hampden gold pocket watch similar to one carried by Orville Wright during the first powered flight in 1903.

Holiday Celebrations Begin Nov. 21

Carillon Historical Park will kick off its holiday season Saturday, Nov. 21, with the 31st annual fundraiser – Ringing in the Holidays: Nov. 21, 5:30–9 p.m. Tickets are $75 for members and $85 for nonmembers. Event information and tickets

The evening will serve as a preview of the park's annual Christmas celebration, featuring food, drinks, live music, ice sculpting, a handbell choir and special bell wagon concerts by carillonneur Alan Bowman.

The celebration continues with A Carillon Christmas, running Nov. 24 through Dec. 30. Dayton History says this year's event will feature expanded holiday programming and additional family activities.

Carillon Historical Park is located at 1000 Carillon Blvd. in Dayton. For information about holiday activities, admission and tickets, visit daytonhistory.org or call 937-293-2841.