LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Families and train history buffs took advantage of a rare opportunity to get up close to the last steam engine built in Lima. 

The Allen County Museum and Historical Society wants to invite the public to view a new display that honors one of their already existing exhibits. On this day ten years ago, the Roll of Valor exhibit was unveiled at the Allen County Museum. On Friday, it was rededicated to all that have received Medals of Honor in our country, especially the two from Lima. William E. Metzger Jr. and Leonard F. Mason both lost their lives fighting in World War II and received their medals posthumously. April 16^th was declared "Mason-Metzger Roll of Valor Day" by Mayor David Berger in his proclamation. While this dedication is meant to remind the public of the decade old exhibit, there are a few new pieces added to commemorate it.

The Allen County Historical Society held their annual meeting today and featured a guest speaker who talked about the historical ties between Dayton and Allen County. 

Steve Lucht is the lead curator at Dayton History and he was the guest speaker at the Historical Society’s meeting. Dayton History Museum recently opened an exhibit called “Bootleggers, Bandits and Badges: From Dry Times to Hard Times in Dayton, Ohio.” Within this exhibit lies a story about a man who forever linked the histories of Dayton and Allen County. His name was John Dillinger. 

It has become a tradition, not just for train enthusiasts, but history buffs as well. Every two years, the Allen County Historical Society hosts "Ridin' the Rails" as a fundraiser for the museum. It has become popular as it takes you back to a simpler time as you take a train ride on the Indiana and Ohio Railway in vintage passenger cars. This year you'll be traveling to Quincy, Ohio, east of Sidney and going over the historic Quincy truss bridge built back in 1911.

A few pieces of Lima's history were discovered in an unlikely place.

As part of the renovations for The Met expansion in downtown Lima, paneling on the walls were being removed when workers discovered three cards for candidates running for county positions back in 1916.

Today the Allen County Historical Society hosted its 111th annual membership meeting with a special guest from Fort Loramie.

Over 35 people showed up today for the Historical Society's meeting in which they discussed the newly elected board members, introduced the new museum director and listened to discussion about Fort Loramie from retired social studies teacher, Kenneth Sowards.

Visitors to the Allen County Museum were treated to a hootenanny Sunday afternoon.