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Your Guide to Free Ohio
Museums, Oddball Places and Halls of Fame
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This museum features confiscated weapons of all kinds and gambling and narcotics paraphernalia. It also displays counterfeit money and police related accessories, including uniforms and weapons. Hundreds of historic photographs are also available for public viewing. And, the museum has a vintage 1965 Harley-Davidson police motorcycle and keys to the original 1890 jail cell.
Printout: Akron Police Museum
Celebrate the history of classical music at this national institution honoring the best of American classical music’s performance artists. It recognizes individuals who have impacted symphonies, orchestras, schools and conservatories both past and present. And it provides recordings for visitors to listen to the works of the Hall’s inductees. In addition, there are many displays of classical music memorabilia, famous instruments, a bugle collection and stained glass from various opera houses.
Printout: American Classical Music Hall of Fame and Museum
THE AMERICAN SIGN MUSEUM
(A
donation of $10 per person is requested. Group rates are negotiable)
When: By appointment
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Phone: 513-258-4020
This is a unique institution that celebrates the rich tradition of sign-making and sign design. Not only does the museum feature vintage signs, but the materials and tools, salesman's samples, ad specialties, and more that characterize the sign industry. Visitors to the museum first enter the lobby or "Sign Garden," an indoor landscaped display of free-standing and hanging vintage signs: A 1956 "Speedy" McDonald's arch; a 1960s Big Boy; and a rotating windmill highlighting the late 1940s sign for Denver's Dutch Boy Donuts are among the treasures first seen.
Entering the Museum proper, visitors find five main sections:
A timeline history of the sign industry exhibits the evolution of the three-dimensional letter with samples from 1900 to 1970.
"Signs on Main Street" features a streetscape of four life-size storefronts and offers a backdrop to display period signage, while the store's windows serve as themed display cabinets.
A
memorial tribute to Rick Glawson and the "art of gilding" celebrates
goldleaf techniques and glass sign decoration.
The
entire left side of the museum traces the evolution of the electric sign--from
the pre-neon, light bulb era of the turn-of-the-century to the late 1920s;
through to
neon's heyday of the late 20s through the late 40s; and on into the Post
WWII era of plastic – with restored vintage signs.
An exhibit on porcelain enamel shows samples of this favorite technique of the late 1930s through the late 1950s.
Printout: The American Sign Museum
ELM FARM’S ONCE UPON A SUNDAE
AND
AMERICA’S DAIRY AND ICE CREAM MUSEUM
Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Closed Easter and Thanksgiving. The ice cream parlor is closed December to March, but the museum, during that time, is open and housed in the original dairy building.
Location: 1050 W. Lafayette Road (500 ft. from corner of Rt. 42 and Lake Road), Medina, OH 44256
Phone: 330-722-3839
This is a place to enjoy America’s favorite treat at its finest. Savor an ice cream delicacy while learning about Ohio history. Elm Farm began in 1927 when Henry Abell purchased 100 acres of land in Medina. It was run as a dairy until 1950 when the family began its ice cream production... The Abell family still personally welcome visitors to the museum and the Victorian ice cream parlor, which features Elm Farm super premium ice cream made on the premises. The museum shows the evolution of ice cream from its beginning in Pre-Roman times to the present. On display is one of the largest collections of ice cream memorabilia, such as the one-of-a-kind prototype scooper and a complete 1905 soda fountain. Dairy trucks and other items from the Elm Farm and dairy are displayed and there’s an interactive area for children as well.
Printout: America's Dairy & Ice Cream Museum
Admission: Exhibits Only or OMNIMAX Only Ticket - Adults: $9.50, Youth (ages
3-17): $7.50 and Seniors (65 +): $8.50
Combination Ticket (includes Exhibits and OMNIMAX admission): Adults: $14.95,
Youth (ages 3-17): $9.95 and Seniors (65 +): $11.95
Open: Daily from 9:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m.
Location: 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114 (Located between Browns Stadium and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum)
Phone: (216) 694-2000
The
Printout: Great Lakes Science Center
If you just like to watch time go by, this museum is just the place to do it. It celebrates, what else, the science of time known as horology. It has interesting exhibits displayed such as rope clocks and sundials to modern-day watches. In addition, there are plenty of pocket-watches, ship chronometers and anything else with a face and hands.
Printout: American Watchmakers Institute History of Time Museum
For not advertising or promoting this Ohio gem, owner/curator and retired barber Edwin Jeffers has had visitors from more than 40 states and five countries. The museum is one-of-a-kind. It features 58 barber poles, barber chairs from six eras, re-created barber shops from eras past, hundreds of mugs and razors that are hundreds of years old and blood-letting and tooth-pulling tools that were used long ago when barbers sometimes moonlighted as surgeons and dentists. It’s no wonder Mr. Jeffers has appeared on many cable television shows and a Japanese station.
Printout: Barbers Hall of Fame Museum
Admission: General, $3.00; Seniors, $2.00; Students (K-12), $1.00; Under age
6, free; Groups over 15, $1.00 per person.
Call for further information on
group arrangements. Memberships: Single, $10.00 per year; Family, $20.00 per
year.
Open – Fall/Winter Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Summer hours, Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: 7 West Monroe St. (St. Rt. 274), New Bremen, OH 45869
Phone: 419-629-9249
The bicycle has to be the world’s most popular vehicle. The Ohio Bicycle Museum of America offers viewers an opportunity to see how it all began. At the museum bicycles are displayed according to eras. See the 1892 Victor, which must have seemed like the Rolls Royce in its time. It sold for $130 – during a time when salaries were generally $18 per month. The museum also offers glimpses of the 1880s high-wheeler designs and the 1886 model of the bicycle-built-for-two. More modern bicycles, including race models, are displayed. But, let’s not forget the balloon tires of the 1940s and 1950s. New Bremen offers a notable museum in a historic setting.
Printout: Bicycle Museum of America
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is based on the understanding that science is the process through which we come to understand our world, and that play is the way children do science. We are a place where play and learning come together so that visitors of all ages can explore the wonders of the world. The Museum includes a host of places for adventure - - That Kid's Playce, the Hall of the Universe, the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater, Oscar Boonshoft Science Central, EcoTrek, the Mead TreeHouse, Bieser Discovery Center, Charles E. Exley, Jr. Wild Ohio Zoo, and two galleries for temporary exhibits - where reality and imagination mix. Adventures are enhanced through real specimens and artifacts from the museum's collection of 1.4 million items.
Printout: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Seeing the history of Coca-Cola and all kinds of Coke memorabilia through the ages is like traveling through American history and “pop” culture. The collection of Coca-Cola artifacts amassed by Butch Badgett is a site to see. Butch’s father handcrafted many of the unique Cola items found in the Cola shop from wood. The museum features many collectibles such as dolls, carry-on airline coolers, billfolds, aluminum bottle carrier, signs, tins, dinner ware, machines, clothing and just about anything else you could imagine from the 1920s to present.
Printout: Butch's Coca Cola Museum
Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center is an authentically restored 1908 engine house featuring hand-drawn, horse-drawn and early motorized fire apparatus as well as other displays and fire safety education. Educational and Interesting guided tours for visitors of all ages. Our primary focus is school-age children, with a complete fire station play area. Free parking and handicapped accessible.
Printout: Central Ohio Fire Museum
The Roseville, Crooksville, Zanesville and the surrounding region of Ohio is known for having extraordinary pottery. At the museum, visitors can see exhibits of some classic “old” pottery and some very good “new” pottery. The museum focuses on the rich pottery history with collections in five on-site buildings grouped around courtyard gardens and an outdoor kiln and include antique pottery & an amazing brick collection. Visitors can also get flyers, directions, and maps to any of the areas pottery establishments. The museum holds many special events and festivals throughout the year the most famous one being the Crooksville-Roseville pottery festival. Other features include being the Home of the Appalachian Pottery Guild, Hocking College Decorative Art classes. In addition, motor coaches, schools & groups are welcome and campgrounds are available. Local products are available in Gift Shop.
Printout: National Ceramic Museum & Heritage Center
Southbend Chocolate Company's
CHOCOLATE CAFÉ AND MUSEUM
Open: Daily in May and September
Location: 820 Catawba Street, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
The café serves coffee, chocolate, and desserts. The museum is based on the history behind making chocolate and can be visited while enjoying a collection of antique chocolate collectibles. In addition to various exhibits the museum also offers a short video to help educate about the history of chocolate making.
Printout: Chocolate Cafe and Museum
CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER AT
UNION TERMINAL
Children's Museum / Natural History & Science Museum / History
Museum
(Admission: $6.75 for
adults and $4.75 for children 3-12)
Open: Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Phone: 513-287-7000 or 800-733-2077
This museum center features several Cincinnati museums in one: Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, History Museum, a research library, OMINIMAX Theater and more. Located in a historic and grand railway station, Union Terminal, which still operates today, this cavernous facility provides a whole day’s worth of fun, eateries and great times.
The Cinergy Children’s Museum features an enormous indoor playground with tree house, rope bridges, etc. It also has a hydropower area where kids can put on raincoats and conduct a hands-on experiment using the power of water. There is also a toddler area for science exploration and a journey around the world to see displays of kids from different cultures and much more.
The Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science features an indoor, underground network of caves with running water and waterfalls, and another cave system depicting Cincinnati during the ice-age, plus a whole lot more.
The Cincinnati History Museum features permanent collections and roving exhibits highlighting local events, a replica of the riverfront as it was in 1850 – complete with steamboat, and a research library containing books and other documents on the areas history.
Printout: Cincinnati Museum Center
GREATER CINCINNATI POLICE MUSEUM
(Admission & parking are Free)
Open for tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10a.m. to 4p.m.
Location: 959 W. Eighth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Phone: 513-300-3664
The Police Museum of the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society features uniforms, equipment, badges, photographs, artifacts, and other items telling the story of police agencies throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Items such as a percussion cap rifle used to quell the Court House riots of 1884 and a modern Taser are on display.
Printout: Greater Cincinnati Police Museum
This police museum has a wide variety of arresting displays and artifacts, including death masks, motorcycles, the first call box and case files and police blotters dating back to 1866. Many other photographs and scrapbooks depict chilling notorious crime stories in the area’s history. In addition, the museum highlights Eliot Ness, weapons, mounted units and a Hall-of-Fame. Another point of interest is the first closed-circuit camera used in banks, which is displayed at the museum.
Printout: Cleveland Police Historical Museum
Okay polka lovers, if you haven’t made your pilgrimage to this hall-of-fame, plan on it. Memorabilia from America’s Polka King – Frank Yankovic to turn-of-the-Century artifacts fill the collection at this museum. In addition to Yankovic’s stage outfits and accordion, visitors will see Johnny Vadnal’s accordion and other personal items, video library and dedications to the greatest all-time hits, lifetime achievement honors and pieces from Johnny Pecon and Eddie Habat.
Printout: National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Museum
Admission: $12.50, adults, age 13-59; $10.50, seniors, age 60+; $7.50, youth, age 2 to 12. Free admission for: Children, 23 months and younger; ASTC guests; Active military and Reservists (50 percent savings for spouse and immediate family members); Certified teachers; Little Brothers and Sisters when accompanied by Big Brother or Sister. Other discount savings include $1.00 off admission for AAA members.
Open: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but open Monday for Columbus Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Closed for New Year’s Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas.
Location: 333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 888-819-COSI
COSI (Center of Science and Industry) Columbus is considered one of the most respected science centers in the nation and was named best science center in the country by Child Magazine in 2002. COSI features over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space dedicated to hands-on science featured through seven unique exhibition areas such as Ocean, Space, Gadgets, Life, Progress, little kidspace, Big Science Park and a temporary exhibit gallery. COSI also features a 7-story giant screen theater, the only high wire unicycle in the U.S., a restaurant and retail shop.
For more than 40 years COSI has been creating programs that make learning science fun for young and old alike. Five million teachers and students have participated in outreach educational programs. At the Columbus facility there are over 300 interactive exhibits throughout COSI’s exhibition areas. The educational programs include innovative field trip experience, and COSI on Wheels brings science into the schools as a fun learning experience. It is an exciting, as well as informative, atmosphere for those of all ages to discover more about science, industry, health and history. There are 10,000 parking spaces within a three-block area of COSI.
Printout: COSI
This museum represents Croatian-American cultural history and has exhibits promoting appreciation for Croatia descendents. Many traveling collections are also featured at this museum throughout the year.
Printout: Croatian Heritage Museum
See the personal collection of Elizabeth Degenhart, owner of the world famous Crystal Art Glass Company. It features Degenhart glass, cruets and paperweights in brightly lit exhibits creating beautiful sparkle. In addition, there are many pieces of Midwestern pattern glass on display and a video presentation about glass making.
Printout: Degenhart Paperweight and Glass Museum
This museum of medical history will make visitors marvel at the medical advancements made or have a coronary to think how archaic today’s medical devices may look to future generations. The collection has more than 10,000 images and 60,000 rare books and museum objects. Artifacts displayed represent medical history from 1800 through 1965 and include items such as a 1952 infant respirator, 1928 X-ray machine, 1861 amputating set, 1882 antiseptic sprayer, 1890 surgical chair and much more. The museum’s displays also include an 1870’s and 1930’s doctors’ offices, 1880’s pharmacy and hospital medicines from 1865 – 1920.
Printout: Dittrick Museum of Medical History
Fostoria, Ohio has 13 glass factories from 1887 – 1920. The museum today has more than 1,000 glass artifacts from that period by those companies. The colorful displays feature clear, three-layered and prism colored glass and more. Fostoria provided 60 percent of all manufactured kerosene lamps in America once upon a time. These included large, small and multi-colored models. Another attraction is the tableware displayed at the museum.
Printout: Glass Heritage Museum
A vibrant part of Walsh University, the story of the Hoover legacy unfolds in the Victorian Italianate-style farmhouse at the Hoover Historical Center. This small museum preserves the history of the invention and development of a household product that made a huge impact on housecleaning.
The "Sweeping Changes" chronological display provides a unique walk down memory lane in the boyhood home of William “Boss” Hoover, founder of The Hoover Company. Amid Victorian elegance, visitors view vintage vacuums, advertisements, ladies’ fashions, home décor, and war memorabilia. Interactives are available throughout the tour. Herb gardens enhance the grounds.
The Center offers a variety of programs that have grown to become favored traditions in the community:
· An 1860s base ball team, the Hoover Sweepers, play from May - September, with home matches played at Hoover Park. Visit www.hooversweepers.com for current schedule.
· Outdoor storytelling each summer by some of the area’s best storytellers.
· An annual Christmas Open House includes Santa & Mrs. Claus, live holiday music and a Christmas tree in every display room. Horse-drawn wagon rides and Christmas caroling through Hoover Park are part of the agenda.
The Hoover name is known around the globe. The unique history of the Hoover family and business are preserved and shared on the Hoover family homestead.
Printout: Hoover Historical Center
This agricultural museum captures Ohio farm-life during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. It has more than 3,000 pieces exhibited, including household items, farming tools and machinery, a one-room schoolhouse and a log house.
Printout: Knox County Agricultural Museum
LEGO & BELLAIRE TOY MUSEUM
(Admission: $8 per adult and $6 per child, four and younger free)
Open: Noon to 7pm Tuesday through Sunday
Location: 4597 Noble Street in Bellaire, Ohio 43906
Phone: 740-671-8891
Bellaire, Ohio is home to a museum being built one LEGO at a time. Housed in an old school turned museum, a man by the name of Dan is on a mission. Dan Brown, founder of the Bellaire Historical Society and Toy Museum, boasts to have the world’s largest private LEGO collection. Whether or not that's true, there is one distinction officially proclaimed by the Guinness Book of World Records that cannot be denied – The Bellaire Historic Society and Toy Museum is home of the World’s Largest LEGO brick image.
Although originally conceived as a toy museum, the LEGO exhibit grew and grew. And GREW! Now instead of a LEGO room in the museum, each room has a LEGO theme. If you enjoy the sea, there’s an “aqua” room complete with ships built from LEGO’s. Other rooms include a classroom with life-size teacher and students, a zoo, an old-west town, and other pieces such as a life-size astronaut. An out-of-this world exhibit is illuminated with black lights and features the galaxy …in LEGOS of course. The last time someone checked it was estimated the total museum brick count exceeded 4 million!
Throughout the museum are eye-popping masterpieces demonstrating the engineering world of LEGO’s. Some of the astonishing pieces even seem come to life with the use of animatronics.
Printout: The Lego & Bellaire Toy Museum
MALTZ
Admission: Adults $7, Seniors (60+) $5,
Students (12+, including college students) $5, Children under the age of 12 are
admitted free of charge.
Admission prices may vary during special exhibitions. Please contact for
prices.
Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 11:00am-5:00pm and Wednesday: 11:00am-9:00pm and Saturday: 12:00-5:00pm
Location: 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, OH 44122
Phone: 216-593-0575
Maltz
Museum of Jewish Heritage: An American Story
Opened in 2005, The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage joins an elite group of world-class institutions as a living testament to the courage, conviction and achievements of Cleveland’s Jewish community. The stories of individuals and families – past and present – come to life through state-of-the-art exhibitions, interactives and films, oral histories, photographs and artifacts. The Museum includes The Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery, an internationally-recognized collection of Judaica, and a special exhibition gallery featuring important exhibitions of national and international acclaim.
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is a partnership of The Maltz Family Foundation, the Jewish Community Federation's Centennial Initiative and The Temple-Tifereth Israel with research support from the Western Reserve Historical Society.
For information about hours, admission, programs, the Museum Store and special exhibitions, visit www.MaltzJewishMuseum.org or phone 216-593-0575.
Printout: Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
The museum itself is a reproduction of a turn-of-the-century firehouse where firefighters hitched their fire-wagons to horses. The museum opens the window to a fascinating history of firefighting and the people, tools and lifestyle of these brave public servants. Visitors will feel as if they took a step back into time.
Printout: Mansfield Fire Museum
Take a Ride Into History! Carousel ride is included with admission. Featuring: guided tour and woodcarvers demonstrations. In addition, there are special events throughout the year and birthday party packages (call for details). ADA compliant.
Printout: Merry-Go-Round Museum
Ready to go postal? Bad joke, I know. Anyway, visit the museum of postal history. Here, visitors can see a 1906 Harrington Rural Mail Coach and see additional displays covering some 7,000 square feet. It includes memorabilia and media presentations regarding the progress made in American mail history. Stamps, letters and postmarks are just some of what’s here. Other highlights include a research library and films available in a mini-theater.
Printout: Museum of Postal History
Owned and operated by the Heisey Collectors of America, Inc. (HCA) since 1974, the National Heisey Glass Museum displays more than 4,500 of glassware and plant memorabilia from the A.H. Heisey & Co. The plant produced high quality, hand-wrought glass in Newark, Ohio from 1896 to 1957. Highly skilled craftsmen produced, cut, and etched glass in many styles and colors. The beauty and superior quality of this glass makes it a highly collectable item.
The Museum is housed in the historic Samuel D. King residence, an 1831 Greek Revival home that was moved to the site in 1973, and an additional wing added in 1993. The Museum Gift Shop offers original Heisey pieces as well as re-issue pieces made from the original Heisey molds.
Printout: National Heisey Glass Museum
NATIONAL IMPERIAL GLASS MUSEUM
(Admission: $3.00)
Open April through October, Thursday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Bellaire, Ohio
Phone: 740) 671-3971
On display at the Museum are many fine examples of Imperial glassware. Also, a photo gallery, mould making display and gift shop make a visit a truly educational experience.
Printout: National Imperial Glass Museum
NATIONAL
AFRO-AMERICAN MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER
(Admission: $4)
Open: Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Phone: 937-376-4944 or toll free 1-800-752-2603
The museum provides African-American history and culture from African origins to the present. It features a permanent exhibit, From Victory To Freedom:Afro-American Life in the Fifties. A small theater inside shows the award-winning Music As a Metaphor, tracing the origins of African-American music from its roots in Africa to the 1950 and includes Gospel, Jazz, BeBop, Classical and protest music. Call the museum for special events and traveling exhibits.
Printout: National Afro-American Museum
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BUT PLANS TO RE-OPEN BY 2010 WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT CONCEPT
Location: 221 S. Broadway St., Akron, OH 44308
Phone: 330-849-6877
Where would this world be without such commonplace technology as the telephone, Xerox machines and other inventions making human, social or economic progress possible? Have you wondered who invented sound systems, the TV you watch or the calculator? Your questions can all be answered at The National Inventors Hall of Fame, which honors those men and women inventors of the past and present while encouraging future inventors. The museum brings inventions to life offering “hands-on” adventures. The hall of fame is listed as one of Akron’s 10 best museums.
Printout: National Inventors Hall of Fame
Open: April through October except Easter and July 4; Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Location: 136 South 9th Street, Cambridge, OH in downtown Cambridge.
Phone: 740 432-4245 and Group Reservations: 330-849-6929, Toll Free: 800-968-4332
The National Museum of Cambridge Glass is owned and operated by the National Cambridge Collectors, Inc. (NCC). It houses one of the world's most extensive collections of Cambridge Glass, plus the tools, molds and etching plates used to manufacture the glass. There is something of interest for everyone. Enjoy the beauty, the history and learn about this highly skilled craft.
The Museum includes dioramas depicting the glass-making process; a dining room appointed with Cambridge glass; the Edna McManus Shepard Education Center where hands-on exhibits are available; and a gift shop featuring genuine Cambridge Glass, limited-edition reproductions, and books on glass collecting. The Museum is accessible to the handicapped and parking is free.
Printout: The National Museum of Cambridge Glass
NATIONAL UNDERGROUND
RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
(Admission: $12 for adults; $10 for students & seniors;
$8 for children age 6-12)
Open: Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Phone: 513-333-7500 or toll-free 877-648-4838
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati pays tribute to the Underground Railroad and all efforts to “abolish human enslavement and secure freedom for all people.” It features The Slave Pen, a two-story 1830 log structure used to house slaves being shipped to auction; and many other exhibits and films addressing the struggle for freedom.
Printout: Freedom Center
The Ohio Craft Museum’s exhibitions features Contemporary American Crafts Artwork. It includes displays of works created in ceramics, glass, wood, fiber and metal.
Printout: Ohio Craft Museum
Open: Time varies
Location: At Scioto Downs Race Track, at 6000 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43207. It is 4 miles south of I-270 on Rt. 23
Phone: 614-491-2515 or Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association at 800-353-6442 for further information
The hall of fame is better described as a “wall of fame” located at Scioto Downs. The racetrack has offered harness racing for more than 40 years, and now honors racers who made it all possible. The display is located about midway into the main level of the clubhouse. Live racing is usually held from early May to the end of September, but simulcast betting continues throughout the year. The racetrack is open everyday except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Printout: Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame
Open: May 27- October 31: Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 601 Second Street, Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: 740-373-3750 or 800-860-0154
The Ohio River Museum gives a detailed description of the golden age of the steam boat. It also gives an educational program about the ecology of the Ohio River system. The museum features three buildings, the first one offers displays about the origins and natural history of the Ohio River. The steamboat is the main focus in the second building which offers many steamboat displays along with and educational video on steamboats. The third building houses displays on the art of boat building along with displays about mussels in the Ohio River and tools and equipment from the steamboat era.
Printout: Ohio River Museum
This museum honors the men and women who served and fought in our nation’s armed forces. It features many old uniforms, historic documents, prestigious medals and interesting photographs. The memorabilia covers all periods of Ohio’s military history. In addition, it is home to the memorial honoring First Lieutenant Sharon A. Lane, who died on June 8, 1969 in Vietnam.
Printout: Ohio Society of Military History
Printout: Ohio Women's Hall of Fame
Some may think of this museum as Ohio’s little Jurassic Park. After all, it features a full-size replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex scull, skeleton of a giant ground sloth and teeth from a Mastodon and Mammoth. But that’s only the beginning. Visitors will find other eye-opening exhibits such as fluorescent minerals, crystals, fossils and a meteorite that fell in Ohio. Tell the kids your going to a museum of Ohio’s “rock” history and open the fascinating world of geology to them. Tours are available upon request.
Printout: Orton Geological Museum
Open: Memorial Day through Labor Day daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the remainder of the year 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, OH 44708
Phone: 330-456-8207
The Pro Football Hall of Fame serves as a place to honor the greats of professional football. The hall now features a 20’x42’ Cinemascope screen in a turntable theatre that displays football games and is known as Game Day Stadium. The hall gives a chronological accounting of the first century of professional football as well as an in depth history on each of the 32 current teams called the Pro Football Today display. In the Hall of Fame Gallery each member is honored with a bronzed likeness. The Pro Football Adventure Room houses a detailed history of all other leagues for professional football in the United States; this room is also where an up to date list of current records and record holders can be found. The hall contains a variety of other features including many more exhibits and mementos, and also another theatre.
Printout: Pro Football Hall-of-Fame Museum
Open: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily (Wednesdays open till 9 p.m. and from Memorial Day to Labor Day Saturdays are open till 9 p.m. as well.)
Location: One Key Plaza, 751 Erieside Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: 216-781-ROCK
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame house a number of interactive exhibits, films, videos, and many priceless artifacts used by many of the artists featured in the Hall of Fame. Not only does the museum have a number of permanent exhibits, but also each year it houses a variety of temporary ones that will sometimes be so large they take up the top two levels of the building. The museum offers a number of services to the public including concerts, lectures, film series, and teacher education. The main attraction of the museum, however, is the large number of artists that have been inducted to the Hall of Fame and therefore have their own exhibits at the museum.
Printout: Rock-N-Roll Hall-of-Fame Museum
Come see the celebrated history of painter Archibald Willard, artist of the famous “Spirit of ’76.” This painting is considered by many to be the nation’s most inspirational painting of all-time. Willard spent most of his life painting in northeastern Ohio. In 1875, influenced by the death of his father, he decided to do the very serious piece depicting the American Revolutionary, which became famous. In addition to the many paintings by Willard, the museum contains Revolutionary and Civil War artifacts.
Printout: Spirit of 76 Museum
Located at Bluebird Farm Estate - 190 Alamo Road in Carrollton, Ohio
Phone 330-627-7980 for reservations
This
museum features a vast range of playthings available to American children from
the 1700's to the present day. The toys are featured in imaginative and
colorful displays, and include wooden, wax, china, French and German bisque,
mechanical, papier-mâché, composition, and cloth dolls; and stuffed animals and
Teddy bears, most notably those manufactured by the German maker Margarete
Steiff. Special sections are devoted to some of America's most beloved and
certainly most popular toys – Raggedy Ann and Andy, Shirley Temple, and Mickey
and Minnie Mouse, and all the 1930's Disneyana! Also a miniature fantasy world
awaits you – toy china sets, antique dollhouses, doll-size kitchens, doll and
child-size furniture, and a detailed circus filled with both Steiff and
Schoenhut circus pieces. Make plans for a whimsical step-back in
time. Hopefully, during your visit, you
will be happily transported to a world of wonderful childhood memories. Group tours are encouraged and
special occasions can be accommodated. Upon request, special programs can be
prepared and presented to groups such as doll clubs on topics ranging from
Madame Alexander Dolls, Steiff animals, advertising dolls, SUN rubber, Bernard
Lipfert, doll designers and antique dolls and toys. Whatever your area of
interest, arrangements can be made to discuss it.
This museum home was built in 1864. It features firearm collections from the Revolutionary War, Civil War and other wars. It also displays Indian artifacts, pottery and glassware, a collection of primitive light fixtures, antique clocks and children’s toys. The interior of the home includes ornate architecture such as the fine Italian marble fireplace. In general, the museum has a very fine collection of antiques.
Printout: Stengel True Museum
James M. Thomas pioneered the non-Bell independent telephone industry and this museum is dedicated to his accomplishments. It features a wooden underground conduit, which contained early Western Union cables that ran beneath the streets of Chillicothe. And an old switchboard, phone directories as early as 1897 and many other telephone equipment displays.
Printout: James M Thomas Telephone Museum
BUCKEYE TELEPHONE MUSEUM
(Admission
is Free)
With the Clare E. Williams Telephone Museum Association, a volunteer group of telephone retirees and employees worked to preserve the telephone industry’s history. The public museum display will keep alive memory of the items that made the telephone industry what it is today. Many items have been donated from local telephone companies from years as service and system changes. View various open wire insulators, operator switchboards, wall mounted magneto crank phones, maps, phonebooks, testing gear and much more.
The Tiffin Glass Club honors the heritage of Tiffin’s Glass House by exhibiting 2,000 pieces of Tiffin glass at the museum to preserve the town and glass company heritage. The factory ran from 1889 to 1984. The museum features memorabilia, historic documents, popular Tiffin Glass lines, stemware, lamps, optics and more. The items are displayed in chronological order in beautiful wood cabinets.
Printout: Tiffin Glass Museum