Then and Now
Forty-four years earlier, on “Robert’s Day,” the town square had been alive with crowds gathered to celebrate their famous native son, with parades and festivities filling the streets. This time, however, the scene couldn’t have been more different—nearly empty, with only a couple of passersby. It’s something I’ve often found striking about many of the small towns I’ve visited in the Midwest: how few people there are to be seen walking around.
Gwyneth and I wandered around, happily taking photos of the striking County Courthouse, just as we had done on a previous visit to the town.
Sadly, Bates County Museum, which is nearby and has a permanent Robert Heinlein exhibit, is only open from April 1st through October 1st so I was unable to visit it.
Butler City Hall is just across the street from the Courthouse. Unfortunately, it’s closed on Saturdays so it wouldn’t have been possible for us to go in and have a look around. This was where Heinlein had attended a reception in his honour on April 17th, 1980.
It was time to return, for likely the final time, to Robert Heinlein’s birthplace house. It was only a few minutes away. We set off.
The Literary Tourist 
Thank you so much for posting here! I didn’t remember about RAH being born in Butler, PA. It was startling because of the significance for our nation and others around the world of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump 7-13-24.
I am still enjoying roaming the library through your article contribution. I hope you enjoyed your entire day! 😇
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Thank you, Angel, although I should point out that Heinlein was actually born in Butler in Missouri, not in Pennsylvania. I’m glad you enjoyed the article, though, and hope you find some others of interest!
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