Honoring Their Heritage
Generations of Americans have built upon the promise made by President Abraham Lincoln: To care for our veterans long after their service to our nation has been completed.
We Work …
. . . To Preserve the history of the Dayton Soldiers Home, now The Dayton VA Medical Center Campus
. . . To Inspire those everywhere to honor the sacrifices made by our veterans
. . . To Educate young and old alike about the rich history of these sacred grounds.
Our mission
The American Veterans Heritage Center (AVHC) honors the accomplishments of veterans while preserving a priceless piece of national and local history – the Soldiers Home located at the VA Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. We invite you to take your place in history by joining us in this mission.
The scope of our activities include historic preservation projects, events, tours, and our festival, “The Patriot Freedom Festival,” which is held annually on the weekend before Memorial Day at the Dayton VA for the benefit of the on-campus as well as off-campus veterans, their families, and the community.
About Us
The American Veterans Heritage Center (AVHC) is a non-profit, (501c3) corporation located in the historic Putnam Library, (Bldg. 120). We are not a government agency nor affiliated or supported by the Federal Government.
Honoring Lincoln’s Promise
Just before his death, President Abraham Lincoln made a promise to those soldiers who had been injured during the American Civil War. AVHC and the Dayton Lincoln Society are working with sculptor Mike Major to honor Lincoln’s Promise. Learn More.
Help us honor our veterans. We are participating in the Wreaths Across America program this year. Learn more and donate here.
Buy a Memorial Brick, leave a legacy. Support our mission.
You can support our mission and commemorate members of your family and others who courageously protected our country by participating in the Defenders of Freedom Memorial Brick Campaign.
The campaign is a tribute to veterans who served in the military, and individuals who provided support services, keeping our country safe and free.
Your bricks will be placed along walkways around the Garrison Flag that is centered on the grounds of the historic Dayton VA Medical Center – one of the three original Soldiers Homes that became VA centers. The flagpole is located near the Dayton National Cemetery.
Other ways to donate.
Grotto Gardens Volunteer Days
if you are interested in learning how to become a volunteer at this historic site, please contact us through this site . We are normally in the Gardens every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 9:00a.m. - 12:00 p.m. May through October and would love to have you join...
New Pioneers of the Soldiers Home Grotto and Gardens Brochure
Check out the new brochure which shares some of the history of the early contributors to the Grotto Gardens. Click the link below to download. Pioneers of the Soldiers Home Grotto and Gardens
2021 Events at AVHC
Happy New Year from everyone here at American Veterans' Heritage Center. We canceled all of our major events in 2020 and are hopeful that we can bring them out of hiatus in 2021. First, we plan to celebrate the installation of the Lincoln Statue near the end of May....
Wreaths Across America
AVHC's first involvement with Wreaths Across America. It was very successful this year and we're looking forward to doing even better next year!
Wreaths Across America
American Veterans Heritage Center supports Wreaths Across America and encourage all to donate one or more Wreaths to be placed at the Dayton National Cemetery. Wreaths are $15 each. SPONSOR A WREATH via the Wreaths Across America website – . 1. Click:...
Dayton VAMC Grotto Gardens Deemed One of the Best Places for Special Occasion Photos
Dayton.com selected the Grotto Gardens as one of the best places to take your special photos. Thanks to all the volunteers and Dayton VAMC staff who keep these gardens beautiful....
VA Grotto Gardens Volunteers Featured in Dayton Daily News Article
Click on the link below to checkout the article about the volunteers who keep the Grotto Gardens looking beautiful. Also thanks to the Dayton VA staff for their support....
AVHC Trustees Honored
American Veterans Heritage Center congratulates two of our Trustees who will be inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2020: Kimberly D. Frisco, Air Force, Greene County, and Daniel R. Kirkpatrick, Air Force, Greene County. Our organization is proud to...
Robert Kinces Earns Award
A recent recognition was earned by AVHC’s Grotto Gardens Sustainment Committee vice-chair, and former AVHC Trustee, Robert Kincses. Earlier this year Robert worked with the Miami Valley Communications Council to produce a video regarding the Hanley Sustainability...
Address
Tennessee and Gettysburg Ave.
Dayton, OH 45428
Mailing address
AVHC
P.O. Box 1366
Fairborn, OH 45324
Hours of operation
Open 24 hours a day
Phone number
Office: (937) 267-7628
Like our page
Stay up to date with our news and events. Help spread the word about us among your social media friends. Learn more about the history we are preserving.