Annie Oakley Center Foundation
Greenville, Ohio · Est. 2009
Preserving the Legend of Annie Oakley
America's greatest sharpshooter — and the Foundation keeping her story, her artifacts, and her legacy alive.
Explore Her Story
What's Happening
Events & Programs
Honoring Annie Oakley on the 100th Anniversary of her passing. Darke County is commemorating her legacy throughout the month of July with shooting contests, a film premiere, and the opportunity to hold her gun! Most of these events are sponsored by the Annie Oakley Center Foundation and are scheduled in the last week of July during the week of Annie Oakley Days.
-
Film Screenings: "North Star" & "Annie Get Your Gun"
Mon, July 20, 2026 – Tue, July 21, 2026
Wayne Theatre · Greenville, Ohio
Free admission
Two evenings of film at the historic Wayne Theatre, featuring the documentary North Star — the story of Annie Oakley — alongside a screening of the…
Click for full details Show lessMore info about Film Screenings: "North Star" & "Annie Get Your Gun" (opens in a new tab) →Two evenings of film at the historic Wayne Theatre, featuring the documentary North Star — the story of Annie Oakley — alongside a screening of the classic musical Annie Get Your Gun. Admission is free.
-
Miss Annie Oakley Shooting Contest
Wed, July 22, 2026 – Thu, July 23, 2026
Darke County Fairgrounds
$50 registration · girls ages 12–19
A sharpshooting contest for girls ages 12–19, held at the Darke County Fairgrounds. Cash prizes are awarded — 1st place $300, 2nd place $200, 3rd…
Click for full details Show lessMore info about Miss Annie Oakley Shooting Contest (opens in a new tab) →A sharpshooting contest for girls ages 12–19, held at the Darke County Fairgrounds. Cash prizes are awarded — 1st place $300, 2nd place $200, 3rd place $100, plus a $100 costume award. The $50 registration is handled through the festival.
-
Annie's Memorial Shoot
Fri, July 24, 2026
Darke County Fairgrounds
$20 entrance fee
A friendly BB-gun shooting competition for men and women at the Darke County Fairgrounds, honoring Annie's legendary marksmanship. First place wins…
Click for full details Show lessA friendly BB-gun shooting competition for men and women at the Darke County Fairgrounds, honoring Annie's legendary marksmanship. First place wins $50 and second place $25 in each division.
-
Hold Annie's Gun — Gathering at Garst
Sat, July 25, 2026 – Sun, July 26, 2026
Garst Museum · Greenville, Ohio
$10 adults / $5 youth
During the Gathering at Garst festival, visitors have the rare opportunity to hold one of Annie Oakley's own firearms — a 1910 J. Stevens .22 caliber…
Click for full details Show lessMore info about Hold Annie's Gun — Gathering at Garst (opens in a new tab) →During the Gathering at Garst festival, visitors have the rare opportunity to hold one of Annie Oakley's own firearms — a 1910 J. Stevens .22 caliber deluxe target rifle with a Schuetzen butt.
-
Rubber Band Shooting Gallery
Sat, July 25, 2026 – Sun, July 26, 2026
Garst Museum grounds
$1 per ten shots
Test your aim the old-fashioned way at the rubber band shooting gallery on the Garst Museum grounds — ten attempts for just $1. Fun for all ages.
Click for full details Show lessTest your aim the old-fashioned way at the rubber band shooting gallery on the Garst Museum grounds — ten attempts for just $1. Fun for all ages.
Aim at a high mark and you'll hit it. No, not the first time, nor the second time, and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting, for only practice will make you perfect. Finally, you'll hit the bull's-eye of success.
Our Purpose
To promote the memory of Annie Oakley, to create and maintain exhibits in cooperation with the Garst Museum, to acquire and preserve Annie Oakley memorabilia, and to further these objectives for generations to come.
The Life & Legend
Annie's Story
Annie Oakley, the Person
Who was the real Annie Oakley? Christened Phoebe Ann, born in 1860 to a poor Darke County farm family, she was born with a shooting skill that would make her famous.
Read chapter →Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
In 1885 Annie and Frank joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. There she befriended Sitting Bull, who called her Watanya Cicilia — "Little Sure Shot."
Read chapter →Annie's Shooting
How did Annie Oakley protect her audiences while shooting in the arena? The answer lies in her smoothbore guns and the fine shot she loaded into her cartridges.
Read chapter →Visit in Person
The National Annie Oakley Center at Garst Museum
Walk with Annie Oakley through an exhibition of her life and history — part of a museum of more than 300,000 artifacts across six wings in Greenville, Ohio.
Plan your visitHelp preserve Annie's legacy
Your gift supports exhibits at the Garst Museum, the preservation of memorabilia, and educational outreach.
Donate to the Foundation