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David Butcher
Ohio University will honor David Butcher with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Ohio University’s Spring 2025 Graduate Commencement Ceremony .
Butcher is a public historian, genealogist, and community advocate dedicated to preserving the legacy of Tablertown, a historically significant settlement in Southeast Ohio. A lifelong resident of the region, Butcher’s work centers on documenting the history of African American, Indigenous, and European-descended families who built and sustained the community for nearly two centuries.
“Through his unwavering commitment to storytelling, education, and advocacy, David Butcher continues to ensure that the history of Tablertown—and the lessons it holds—remain an integral part of Ohio’s cultural landscape,” said Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “David's honorary degree is not just a symbol of accomplishment, but a testament to the profound and lasting impact he has had on our region.”
Butcher’s personal connection to Tablertown traces back to his ancestors, who were emancipated in Wheeling, (West) Virginia, on January 2, 1830, and later crossed the Ohio River to settle in Athens County. This community came to be known as Tablertown, though it was officially renamed Kilvert in the early twentieth century. Through his advocacy and leadership, Butcher successfully lobbied to restore Tablertown to its original name in 2024.
Butcher’s passion for historical preservation led him to propose an exhibit on Tablertown’s history at Ohio University’s Kennedy Museum in 2003. This marked the beginning of his public work as a historian. In 2018, Butcher established the Tablertown People of Color Museum in a pole barn on his property, which has since become a destination for visitors worldwide. The museum gained nonprofit status in 2022, with Butcher serving as executive director. His organization is focused on building a new museum in Tablertown, with a $500,000 AMLER grant awarded in 2025 and plans to break ground in 2027.
His work as a self-taught genealogist, museum curator, and archivist has garnered recognition and support from various institutions, including collaborations with Ohio University on research related to the Underground Railroad, Civil War history, and the experiences of formerly enslaved people in the region.
“David Butcher’s successful career in historic preservation and community building reflects his lifelong drive to further his own education in service to his community,” said Dr. Nancy Stevens, a Distinguished Professor at Ohio University and director of the OHIO Museum Complex. “His motivation and commitment have brought to light myriad untold stories that offer historical context and pride of place for a unique and resilient community that has supported and sustained Ohio University since its founding days.”
Butcher earned an associate degree in Ceramic Engineering Technology from Hocking College in 1989. Since then, he has received numerous awards for his contributions to history and community, including a Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship from the National Association of Black Storytellers (2022), the Community Award from the Athens Rotary Club (2024), and the State of Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Award (2024), among others.
For more information on David Butcher's work, visit the Tablertown Museum website at tablertownmuseum.org.