April 26, 2025 Birthday Party
Join us on the Oxford Square
Grab a bite for noon refreshments
Shop with vendors
Explore Oxford on a walking tour
Visit the Dan Patch Messner barn
Listen to anthropologist Gerald Waite “Oxford Made the Horse”
Take a wagon ride with a Standardbred harness horse
See Glaspie memorabilia
Join Apollonia for a fancy hat-making workshop
Learn about Gene Stratton Porter
Enjoy a chicken & noodle dinner
Heritage House and Museum
Explore this beautiful 1902 building with its museum. A portion of Robert and Thelma Glaspie's extensive collection of Dan Patch memorabilia is displayed.
Gift shop open. Stop by and pick up a map for the walking tour.
Make your reservation for a home-made chicken noodle dinner,
Ongoing Self-Guided Town Walking Tour
Pick up your tour printed guide at the Heritage House, or (weather permitting) the Gazebo. Starting from the Messner Store on the west side of the Square, follow Oxford's Red Brick Road to the site of the Livery Stable where Dan Patch was foaled. The location is across from the Library. Arrive at the Messner Barn for a tour of the lovingly restored interior.
Messner Barn Tour
Pam Messner invites you inside the beautifully restored barn to see Dan Patch's first home and have your picture taken in front of the Indiana State Historical Marker. The marker is 25 years old this year. A video of the marker presentation in 1999 may be viewed at https://youtu.be/Hrecgeru36U
You can see some beloved faces and recall their respect for Dan Patch, our favorite son. As Mary Cross declared, Oxford may be a one horse town, but oh, what a horse.
Get to know a Standardbred
We're delighted to welcome Dr. Darcy Lash of Borrowed Time. Get acquainted with "Trotter", harness equipment, and the joys of driving.
Curt Burnette
Curt Burnette gives insight into another Indiana luminary, Gene Stratton Porter
Saturday, April 26
Visit the Heritage House and Museum
Explore this beautiful 1902 building with its museum. A portion of Robert and Thelma Glaspie's extensive collection of Dan Patch memorabilia is displayed.
Gift shop open. Stop by and pick up a map for the walking tour.
Horses and Carriage Rides
Dr. Darcy Lash of Borrowed Time Equine Center
Meet "Trotter," a Standardbred "Dan Patch look-alike" racehorse. carriage, and sulky. Take a photo op with the horses. Have a seat in a sulky, or take a Carriage ride. Donations for rides support Borrowed Time.
Make a hat
Join Appolonia for a 2-hour hat-making class. $40 for all supplies and loads of fun.
Lunch on the Square
All Dog Aloud Coney and Catering makes his return visit to Oxford.
Self-Guided Town Walking Tour
Starting from the Messner Store on the west side of the square, follow Oxford's Red Brick Road to the site of the Livery Stable where Dan Patch was foaled. The location is across from the Library.
Messner Barn Tour
Pam Messner invites you inside the beatifully restored barn, and see Dan Patch's first home. Have your picture taken in front of the Indiana State Historical Marker.
Chicken-noodle supper
Make your reservations $8
Heritage House Upstairs-Downstairs
208 S. Justus St.
Oxford IN 47971
This is a good chance to wear your Turn of the Century hats and costumes!
Gerald Waite, anthropologist, amateur historian, and retired licensed United States Trotting Association trainer and driver, will add his insight into the topic, “Savage made the myth, Oxford made the horse.”
Horses and Carriages
Darcy Lash of Borrowed Time Equine Center:Standardbred racehorse, carriage, and sulky. Photo op with horses. Carriage rides will be available with donations to Borrowed Time.