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One of the feature attractions of this popular museum is the John Dillinger/Sheriff Sarber exhibit. The Dillinger/Sarber collection includes Dillinger’s jail cell and Sarber’s desk, wax figure replicas and a video documentary. The main museum covers everything from A to Z. Also on the premises are a Children’s Museum and Children’s Garden where kids have the opportunity to do some hands-on learning. And there’s an 1893 Victorian home and out-cabin open for tours as well as a railroad collection containing old timetables, pictures, books, magazines and other materials. Inside the main museum, visitors will have two floors of discovery. The main floor features sections depicting pioneer and 19th century life, Noah’s Ark exhibit, transportation displays, opera-house music, archives room, auditorium and library. The ground-level floor provides various sections and exhibits like the Sarber/Dillinger, old general store, firefighting, military and firearms, minerals and fossils, arts and pottery, multicultural, agricultural, woodworking and engraving, and Native American items.
Excerpt from April 2009 edition of OhioTraveler by Frank R. Satullo
FACTS STRANGER THAN FICTION
Oddities aside, The Allen County Museum in Lima, Ohio is serious about history. So much so, it has the distinct honor of being the only county museum in Ohio accredited by The American Association of Museums. This year, the museum itself will celebrate its 100-year history. But its content explores a past as old as rocks.
The main building features 42,000 square feet of fascinating exhibits. It took an entire room to display the model built by a local couple depicting George Washington’s plantation – Mount Vernon. The exhibition galleries feature the area’s history of geology, Native Americans, canals, Civil War, locomotives, and Lima’s oil fields; once the largest known in the world. The museum is kid-friendly too. Many of the exhibits have that “cool factor” that prompts the inevitable, “Wow! Check this out.” One such visual is the full-body iron lung encasement.
The main building also lets kids be kids while not only learning history, but re-creating it at the new Children’s Discover Center. They can sit around the fire in the Indian mud huts, stare in wonder over the huge model train display illustrating and demonstrating railroad town culture and even stop in the one-room school for a quick lesson. If anyone acts up, there’s a tall pointed Dunce Cap on a stool in the corner.
The Allen County Museum grounds have much more to explore than the many treasures inside the main complex. The MacDonell House is a Victorian mansion open for tours depicting the high life on what used to be known as Lima’s “Golden Block.” The nearby Log House interprets pioneer living in 1848. Yet another structure portrays The Shay Locomotive Shelter, which even houses a narrow-gauge, geared locomotive built in 1925 by Lima Locomotive Works. Don’t forget the troops at The Military Annex/Transportation Building, which includes military items and vehicles. And again with children in mind, there’s the Children’s Garden offering hands-on horticultural experiences.
Although this museum is in a historic small Ohio town, it is widely recognized to offer more than many of its “big-city” counterparts. Its diverse and extensive collection has more than 250,000 archival and material items putting it in the league of some of the finest museums in the United States.
It is highlighted by its:
Comprehensive prehistoric and historic Native American collection.
Extensive pioneer life exhibit and collections.
Outstanding mineral and fossil specimens, including Ohio’s state fossil – the 600 million-year-old trilobite.
Fully functional 1944 M-4 Sherman tank and extensive military collection.
“The finest opera house between Boston and Denver,” Lima’s grandest building – the 1882 Faurot Opera House replicated in a fine display.
One of the nation’s largest steam and electric railroad collections.
Full-size replicas of a county store, doctor’s office and barber shop that stood more than 100 years ago. Plus 1830 Constenoga wagon, street car, horse-drawn hearse, carriages and sleighs and even a “Boneshaker” velocipede.
Perhaps the most memorable story and exhibit is the distinction Lima has by holding captive the outlaw John Dillinger in 1933. He was jailed in Lima for robbing a bank in Bluffton, Ohio. But before he could be tried for his crime, Dillinger’s gang members busted him out of the Allen County Jail. In the process, they shot and killed Sheriff Jess Sarber. They even locked the sheriff’s wife and deputy in the jail cell. The scene is replicated in the museum with Sarber sitting at his desk and Dillinger peering through the cell block bars at him.
Whether you visit for the peculiar tales or extraordinary historic specimens and documentation, The Allen County Museum has been recognized by national media in addition to regional media for its achievements and offerings. The Allen County Historical Society creates special events and educational opportunities year-round for both children and adult levels of interest. In addition, some of the most passionate and interesting tour guides gifted with the art of story-telling are available to provide your group a guided tour.
Visit The Allen County Museum and help move the past forward. It invites anyone to visit for free Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed Mondays and holidays). Located at 620 West Market Street in Lima, Ohio; you may plan your visit or learn more about the museum by calling 419-222-9426 or visiting www.allencountymuseum.org.
By Frank R. Satullo, OhioTraveler
Printout: Allen County Historical Museum
Ashtabula County History Museum / Jennie Munger Gregory Memorial Museum. An 1823 farmhouse furnished with all kinds of collectibles and antiques. Reference library for researchers is free. There's also the Blakeslee 1810 Log Cabin and grounds of primitive surroundings located at 441 Seven Hills Rd. in Ashtabula which is open by appointment by calling 440-466-7337. Log Cabin Days is the first weekend after Labor Day. In addition, there's the Joshua Giddings Law Office, built in1823, furnished with his office furnishings (North Chestnut and Jefferson). It is also free and open by appointment by calling 440-466-7337.
Printout: Ashtabula County History Museum
ATHENS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
(Admission is Free every third Saturday / month. Admission any other time is
$4
adults, $2 seniors/students 13-21, $1 12 & under, members free)
Open: 12-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. Every 3rd Saturday is FREE admission
Location: (Map It) 65 N. Court Street in Athens, Ohio
Phone: 740-592-2280
The Athens County Historical Society and Museum showcase the history of Athens County. The collection features permanent and changing exhibits that explore the region's history. Genealogists are available Monday -- Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. to assist visitors with researching family history. In addition, there are lectures and special events planned throughout the year.
Printout: Athens County Historical Society & Museum
Say “cheese.” And pose in front of a giant cheese-making apparatus on display at the museum. The museum also features several interesting maps of the area dating back to the original map of 1799. It also features maps of the Western Reserve and the township in the 1870s. Additional items for viewing include old tools, fabrics and clothes, household items, toys, old photographs and currency (The Harmon Stone) actually issued for the region during the Civil War.
Printout: Aurora Historical Society Museum
Open:
January, February, March - Thursday 11-5, Friday 11-5, Saturday 9-5, Sunday
11-5. April through November - Tuesday through Friday 11-5, Saturday
9-5, Sunday 11-5. December - Monday through Friday 11-5, Saturday 9-5,
Sunday 11-5. Closed Christmas Day.
Location: (Map It) 6450 Arcanum-Bear's Mill Road, Greenville, Ohio 45331
Phone:937-548-5112
Web: www.bearsmill.com
Built in 1849 and on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975, Bear's Mill is an authentic example of a stone-grinding flourmill of its time. Cornmeal, whole wheat flour and rye flour are still ground with the French buhr stones powered by water from the Greenville Creek. Visitors can take a free self-guided tour of the 4 story structure and enjoy a walk in the scenic woods surrounding the mill. On the first floor is the Mill Store & Gallery where mill flours, gourmet sundries, giftware and art by regional artists are available for purchase. Proceeds from sales and all donations go to the Friends of Bear's Mill, the nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a rich cultural experience and community-oriented events including educational tours, demonstrations and nature walks, while preserving the Mill’s historical significance and natural beauty.
Printout: Bear's Mill
The museum is located in the restored 1874 town hall of Bedford. Come and read the diaries of pioneer women or other correspondence, speeches and manuscripts ranging from the 1850s through the 1950s. It also has a vast reference library documenting genealogical resources. Many of the areas most notable women in history are also represented by a newspaper clipping file featuring Halle Berry – Actress, a renowned criminologist, and community activist to name a few. Rotating exhibits have featured period furniture displays, military artifacts, old household tools, china collections and more.
Printout: Bedford Ohio Historical Society Museum
The Big Bottom is a memorial to commemorate a settler/Indian war, which began with a massive massacre of Ohio settler by the Delaware and Wyandot Indians in 1791. The twelve-foot marble marker has been placed here for remembrance of what happened. The bloodshed between the fighting parties went on for four years until the historic Treaty of Greenville ended it.
Printout: Big Bottom
Visitors will see history illustrated from the early nineteenth century through the twentieth century. Its many displays and exhibits feature items such as maps, clocks, time saving devices, tools, clothing, toys, jewelry, photographs, historical documents and many other artifacts of local interest.
Printout: Black River Historical Museum in Lorain Ohio
BUFFINGTON ISLAND MONUMENT
(Admission is Free)
Don’t be misled, you will not have to swim or take a ferry to see this park and monument, as it is not really located on an island. The monument is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in a major Civil War battle here in Ohio. Renowned Major Daniel McCook of the “fighting McCook” family was a casualty of the battle. The monument itself was built from broken glacial rock found in Ohio.
Printout: Buffington Island Monument
CAMPUS MARTIUS MUSEUM
(Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for students and children 6-12, and free for
children under the age of 6)
Open: March 4 through October 29: Wednesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays the museum is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: (Map it) 601 Second Street in Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: 740-373-3750
The focus of the Campus Martius Museum is migration in Ohio’s history. The museum is located on the site of the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory. The first floor of the museum is dedicated to the early settlement and even has part of the original fort enclosed in a wing of the building. Other exhibits deal with the history of the local Indian tribes and their relations with the early white settlers, life in early 18th century Marietta and how it evolved throughout the years, and features many artifacts recovered from early life in Marietta. Other exhibits go on to explore two more waves of migration to Ohio and how it affected life in the entire state. The museum also features 90 pieces from the Ohio Historical Society’s collection.
Printout: Campus Martius
Captain Isaac Newton Hook (1819-1906) decided to design his own grave, according to legend, with a point on top so his wife wouldn’t dance on it. However, contrary to legend, a lady claiming to be one of Captain Hook's great granddaughters says the tomb was built with a rounded top so his wife could not dance on it, as the story goes. It did not have a point. There is a small platform on top where he had a boat sitting, to take him away in case of a flood. There was indeed a flood, which took the boat away. Whether or not he was in it, is anyone's guess.
Printout: Captain Hook's Tomb
CUSTER MEMORIAL
(Admission is Free)
The Custer Monument is a bronze statue depicting George Armstrong Custer and is located at his birthplace, which is now a roadside park and picnic area. The only thing left of Custer’s house is the foundation. An exhibit pavilion accounts Custer’s life and his infamous “Last Stand.”
Printout: Custer Memorial
Features exhibits showcase the history of the Cuyahoga Valley. It has many historic maps, documents, photographs and other pieces on display. The museum itself is located inside the restored Boston Township Hall. The building was originally built in 1887 as a high school. And it looks its part.
Printout: Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum
What was war like in 1812? To find out, visit this fort and read the diary of Ohio militiaman Ensign William Schillinger, which provides a daily account from everything like the weather, events unfolding and personal thoughts and other observations. The fort itself served as an important supply depot during the War of 1812. It included five blockhouses, cabins and storage buildings. The walls of the fort were nearly 12-feet above ground.
Printout: Fort Amanda
Built in 1791, this fort served as an outpost to General Arthur St. Clair. Its purpose was to shelter army supplies and guard against area Indians. It was abandoned in 1796 and is now a park with a monument, twenty-feet high, marking the site where it once stood. Nothing of the fort remains here.
Printout: Fort Jefferson, Greenville Ohio
Open: Museum and Visitor Center open year round. Fort open April – October from Wednesday - Saturday, 9:30 - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from Noon - 5:00 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Location: (Map It) 29100 W. River Road (St. Rt. 65) in Perrysburg, OH 43551
Phone: 419-874-4121 or 800-283-8916
This 10-acre fort, the largest reconstructed, wooden-walled fort in the United States, sits on its original location along the Maumee River. The seven blockhouses, five artillery batteries and numerous earthworks appear much as they did during the summer of 1813. Exhibits in the fort’s blockhouses present the life of a soldier, the building of the fort and dramatic accounts of the two sieges against the fort in 1813.
The Visitor Center houses classrooms, a museum store, and a museum. The exhibits focus on the themes of Era, Conflict, Understanding, and Remembrance. The exhibit also explores how historians and archaeologists learned what happened at the fort. Important artifact collections are featured in the museum exhibits, including War of 1812 weapons, accouterments, uniforms and personal items of soldiers.
Historical interpreters dressed in 1812 clothing present demonstrations of camp life, weapons, and other activities throughout the summer. Reenactments and special events further highlight America’s rich military history.
Printout: Fort Meigs State Memorial
GARST
MUSEUM
& Annie Oakley Center
(Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for Seniors, $2 for youth 6-18. Five and
younger - free)
Open daily except Mondays from February 1 to December 29, with the exception of major holidays. Closed in January. Hours are 10:00 to 4:00 Tuesday thru Saturday and 1:00 to 4:00 Sundays.
Location: (Map It) 205 N. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331
Phone: 937-548-5250
Garst Museum, which includes the Annie Oakley Center, is a large museum encompassing seven different wings. Visitors enter through the Garst House, which was built in 1852 as an inn. The first floor of the Garst House is home to Native American Artifacts and items pertaining to the Treaty of Greenville signed in 1795. It opened the Northwest Territory for settlement. Located in the upstairs of the Garst House is a military exhibit, which ranges from 1812 to the current conflict in Iraq. Attached to the Garst House is the Annie Oakley Center, which was opened on July 29, 2005 and contains the largest display of Annie Oakley items in the world. The Lowell Thomas Exhibit is housed in the next wing and includes items from his career as the most famous broadcaster of his time. The museum also houses an antiques gallery, a village of old shops, a pioneer wing, a collection of Currier and Ives, and a genealogy center.
Printout: Garst Museum
This is the oldest settlement in Ohio. It was established in 1772 by a Mohican elder and large group of Christian Indians. In 1782 nearly 100 of the Indian residents were killed. Today, a 35-foot memorial recognizes those killed in the massacre. And a museum displays artifacts and an expansive arrowhead collection. There is also a reconstructed church and log cabin replications of those that stood at the site more than 200 years ago.
Printout: Gnadenhutten Monument and Gnadenhutton Museum
First Quest is a Sure Shot
Who Am I: Chief Sitting Bull nicknamed me "Watanya Cicilla." Buffalo Bill made me famous around the world.
Where am I: Brock Cemetery in Darke county. It is up to you to find the cemetery and tombstone.
For geocachers, coordinates are
N: 40° 15.622 and W: 084° 33.645.
Map of area
What you will find: An Ohio icon and American legend.
Nearby Attractions: Bear's Mill, KitchenAid™ Experience and Maid Rite, which is a unique eatery.
Second Quest Was Lost in Time
Who Am I: I am the first black major league baseball player but my name is not Jackie Robinson. I was called up 63 years earlier. It even says so on my gravestone and in the very first edition of the board game Trivial Pursuit
Where am I: Union Cemetery in Steubenville, Ohio (Section P). For geocachers, coordinates are N: 40° 21.884 and W: 080° 38.274.
What you will find: A beautiful place that winds forever into the rolling wooded hills with creeks so bring walking shoes because it is worth the stroll.
Nearby Attractions: Steubenville "City of Murals" and hometown of Dean Martin, Old Fort Steuben, The Ohio River and Creegan Animation Factory.
Third Quest is a Journey to the Center of the Earth
Who
Am I: Many thought I was nuts for my hollow Earth theory. It is also referred to
as the Theory of Concentric Spheres or Polar Voids. I fought most my life to get
funding to prove it. Instead I was ridiculed. But there were times the
mainstream scientific community lent some credibility. My tombstone looks like a
monument and has a hollow Earth atop its peak. I have a famous uncle with the
same exact name.
Where am I:
What you will find:
Nearby Attractions: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, City of Sculpture, and Jungle Jim's.
Fourth Quest is Chock Full of Surprises
This quest is a three-parter, all in the same general location.
Who Are We? One used to be the richest man on Earth and would love today's oil prices, the second busted Al Capone for tax evasion, and the third was assassinated while President of the United States.
Where are we? Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. For Geocachers, coordinates are:
N: 41°
30.673
W: 081° 35.474
N:
41°
30.834
W: 081° 35.571
N:
41°
30.604
W: 081° 35.486
Nearby Attractions: Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Western Reserve Historical Society. For a good meal and shopping, head just outside the cemetery down Mayfield Road (Murray Hill) into the heart of Little Italy. Many shops and restaurants await. Make sure you don't leave without Cannoli from one of the bakeries.
President Warren G. Harding’s tomb is a white, circular monument made of Georgia marble and his monument is set in 10 landscaped acres and takes the appearance of a round Greek temple. He became our 29th President (the eighth from Ohio) in 1921. He was born in 1865 and died in office in June of 1923.
Excerpt from February 2009 edition of
OhioTraveler
PRESIDENT Warren G. Harding
The State of Ohio has produced more presidents than any other—eight to be exact. It’s tempting to say they were all great, but in truth they’ve run the gamut from excellent to the opposite. The reputation of the 29th President, Warren G. Harding, rests on the bottom rungs. He is consistently ranked among scholars as one of our country’s worst presidents.
However, that does not mean that the state or his hometown of Marion has attempted to diminish his stature. To the contrary, Harding’s home at 380 Mount Vernon Avenue has been restored in every detail including furnishings. The self-styled press building at the rear of the house, built for reporters during his popular “front-porch” campaign has been transformed into a museum. Furthermore, his memorial in Marion is ostentatious by any standard and one of the most beautiful shrines anywhere outside of Washington D.C.
Located in a ten-acre manicured park, the memorial is constructed of white Georgian marble in the style of a Greek temple. The rounded roofless structure consisting of forty-six columns is of startling magnitude and splendor. It projects more than five stories skyward and exceeds one hundred feet in diameter with a center garden spot that is the resting place of the President and his wife.
This monument is significant to American history because it is the last of highly crafted presidential tombs. Since Harding’s time, burial designs have been simpler and combined with presidential libraries.
It seems contradictory that Harding’s lowly assessed tenure makes him so interesting. The attraction however, is not for accomplishments, but for reasons of his basement ranking. The major events of his campaign and administration so closely parallel recent corruption, greed, and malfeasance in both government and private sector that one is assured that history does indeed repeat.
Harding had ascended from State Senator and Lieutenant Governor of Ohio to the US Senate, but was unknown except in his own region when he came out of nowhere to capture the nomination in 1920. He had been the successful publisher of a newspaper (presently The Marion Star) and married to the daughter of his most staunch critic. It is said his wife Florence was the shrewder politician and “pushed him all the way to the White House.” Florence was the business manager of the paper and understood the relationship between candidate and press. She oversaw the construction of a bungalow at the rear of their house to use as an always-available press office. She even coached Warren G. on the proper wave to newsreel cameras for the best coverage. It was one of several precedents set during the campaign and term.
Harding was also the first to use the endorsement power of Hollywood stars along with the most powerful business triumvirate of Ford, Edison, and Firestone—although this was a conservative bunch rather than the Hollywood left of today.
He campaigned on a “Return to Normalcy” after the Great War, which appealed to everyone, and his support of women’s suffrage and the ratification of the 19th amendment brought huge crowds of women to Marion.
Harding was the first sitting Senator to be elected President, and only John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama have followed. During the campaign it was alleged that Harding’s great-great-grandfather was a West Indian black man—a rumor reinforced by Harding’s reply to a reporter. “How do I know?” he said. “One of my ancestors may have jumped the fence.” Of course this prompts the question of whether Barack Obama is really the first bi-racial President.
Harding was a handsome man and political analysts have long contended his electoral success was based largely on his appearance. He looked “presidential.” One pundit refers to the flawed process by which people make voting decisions based on appearance as the “Warren Harding Error.” It was an astute observation by a fellow senator upon Harding’s nomination that he was “no world-beater but the best of the second-raters.”
Harding won the 1920 election—the first for women voters—in an unprecedented landslide, and the slither toward depravity began almost immediately. He chose to surround himself with a group of cronies who became know as the “Ohio Gang.” Led by Attorney General Harry Daugherty, the gang in their two year, five-month infestation stole by some estimates as much as $300 million from the public coffers. They let it be known that every appointed job was to be sold—from judgeship to janitor, plus the sale of public lands and oil reserves. There is no proof that Harding benefited from the graft, but evidence points to his cognizance and an inability to stop it. “I have no trouble with my enemies,” he was quoted. “But my damn friends—they’re the ones who keep me walking the floor at nights.”
In the months prior to his death, word of scandals crept into the public domain. Secretary of the Interior, Albert Fall had taken bribes from greedy oil interests for leasing of the Teapot Dome oil reserves in Wyoming without competitive bidding, and Charles Forbes who was Director of the newly formed Veterans Bureau had skimmed millions from contracting veterans hospitals. Eventually both Forbes and Fall served prison terms and two of their assistants committed suicide.
If that wasn’t bad enough, dalliances in Harding’s personal life came to light. The Republican National Committee discovered too late in the nominating process that he had carried on a fifteen-year affair with the wife of a hometown friend. To conceal the scandal, the by-then divorcee was sent on an extended trip abroad with a $50,000 gift and a monthly stipend. It was another “first”—extorting money from a major political party.
It didn’t end there, although it was alleged only after Harding’s death that he had an illegitimate child with the daughter of a Marion doctor. In her book, The President’s Daughter, Nan Britton claims she and Harding conceived a daughter in his senate office. He paid child support, and after becoming President they continued the affair using the privacy of a small room off the Oval Office. Sound familiar?
Warren Harding died in San Francisco on August 2, 1923. He was in the midst of a cross-country policy-enlightening tour when he was struck with assumed food poisoning, although the final blow was reported to have been a heart attack or stroke.
Immediately, skeptics speculated that it had been intentional poisoning, with fingers pointed at Harding’s wife since it was she who blocked an autopsy, and thus any official finding. Nothing was proven, of course, and there were a number of associates who privately welcomed Harding’s death, averting the political embarrassment that would have come with an expected impeachment.
Presidential power and all it entails—the awesome responsibility along with entitlements—will never be fully appreciated by most of us. It is ultimate power handed to men appointed with human frailties as well as virtues. As long as nature is the ushering force, we are condemned to repeat—the good and the bad.
The Warren G. Harding Memorial in Marion, Ohio is open year round from dawn to dusk. The Harding home and museum are open between Memorial and Labor Day, on Wednesday-Sunday. During winter months, weekends only. For information, call 800-600-6894.
By Robert Carpenter
Robert Carpenter was born and raised in the New Philadelphia, Ohio area.
Printout: President Warren Harding Tomb and Monument
HARRISON’S TOMB
(Admission is Free)
President Benjamin Harrison’s (1833 – 1901) tomb and monument are made of Bedford limestone and marble. It stands 60 feet. A visitors’ terrace allows a beautiful panoramic view of the Ohio River valley. He was elected our 23rd President in 1889.
Printout: President Benjamin Harrison Tomb
(Admission for Heritage Hall museum is $3.00 Adults, $2.00 over 55, and $1.00 for Children 6-12, under age 6 free)
Heritage Hall features the Marion County historical museum, Warren G. Harding collections, a gift shop, and the Rinker/Howser Resource Center for genealogical research. While at Heritage Hall you may also visit the Wyandot Popcorn Museum with over 50 antique poppers. Also operated by the Marion County Historical Society is the restored 1897 Linn School, located on State Route 4 north of Marion. The building is open for walk-in visitors from 1-4 pm the first and third Sundays, May through October. At Linn School visitors find McGuffy readers, tin lunch pails, desks with fold up seats and more. Heritage Hall is the headquarters of The Marion County Historical Society and is located at the corner of Church and State Streets in Marion, Ohio.
Printout: Heritage Hall in Marion, Ohio
This historical museum features the George Tanner Telephone History Collection, the C&G Cooper Heritage Collection of 19th century steam farm engines and “Spanning the Century” exhibit of bridges. The displays throughout the museum also pay homage to the musical history of Knox County and the life and travels of Johnny Appleseed throughout the county. In addition there are plenty of other exhibits including those of dolls and toys, textiles and clothing, coverlets and quilts among many other items.
Printout: Knox County Historical Museum
Okay, so getting to the island may not be free unless you have a boat or can swim. The latter is not advisable and the Coast Guard may have a problem with it. Alas, once you’re on the island, visit this museum and take the time to see the video history. The museum features winemaking displays, model ship collection of historic Great Lakes’ vessels, the Boat Building and the Wildlife Building.
Printout: Lake Erie Island Museum
This is more than your ordinary cemetery. It is considered by many to be a walk through history, a vast outdoor art museum or a horticultural paradise. In any case, it is one of the finest garden cemeteries in the country as well as one of the most historic. It has 285 acres of land and is located in central Cleveland. It is modeled after the great garden cemeteries of Victorian England and France. It also has a picturesque dam measuring 500 feet wide and 60 feet above ground. And among its numerous points of interest and appeal, visitors will be awed by the memorials of it’s more famous permanent residents such as:
Printout:
Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland OhioThis local history museum features a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits year-round. It features items forging the iron-history of the region as well as Victorian era clothing and furniture displays. The museum itself is housed in a restored 1870 Victorian home.
Printout: Lawrence County Museum
This is a local tribute honoring the brave firefighters of the area. It features vintage displays depicting their history of service to the surrounding community. Here, you’ll see a horse-drawn steam pumper from the 1800’s, a memorial to those who were lost in service, and of course homage paid to firefighters past and present.
Printout: Lima Firefighters Memorial
This museum concentrates primarily on the local history of its women citizens from the 1800’s well into the 20th century. It documents the role of women as community activists and provides records from 1882 to 1936. It also documents the reading habits and ideas that influenced women in the 20th century as well as a collection of books written by local authors.
Printout: Mahler Museum
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The building was built in 1888 and is the oldest building in Richland County. It displays artifacts of the county’s military, civil and natural history artifacts.
Printout: Mansfield Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building Museum
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If you missed the circus, come to this museum and see a room filled with circus memorabilia. Local history and its many artifacts are found in this museum as well. The museum itself is located in the former Stark Dry Goods building, which was renovated to house the museum and its belongings. It hosts various traveling exhibits and has three floors of displays, a café and gift shop.
Printout: Massillon Museum
Open by Appointment, and Special Exhibits throughout the year.
Location: (Map It) 130 East Market, P.O. Box 512, Celina, OH 45822
Phone: 419-678-2614
The Museum provides area historical exhibits. Open Houses with Special Exhibits are held throughout the year, e.g. Prehistoric Artifacts; Antique Guns; Post Cards; Sports Hall of Fame, etc.
Over two dozen Western Ohio and Mercer County Local History Books have been printed by the Historical Society. A weekly newspaper column is written by Joyce Alig, President, who has the best Archival Collection of Mercer County History in existence.
Printout: Mercer County Historical Museum
This is a specialty museum showcasing thousands of dolls and toys dating from the 1600s through BarbiLand. It was established as a means to generate financial help for abused children and animals and to offer to the public an exciting display of dolls, from "rare" antique dolls through modern day collectibles. It promises an experience of educational, historical and cultural significance.
THE MUSEUM AT
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 Closed for the month of February
Phone: 740-929-1998
The Museum at
Printout: The Museum at Buckeye Lake
GRAVESITES OF SOME OTHER FAMOUS OHIOANS
Printout: Famous Ohio Gravesites
Open: Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays and holidays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: (Map It) 1982 Velma Avenue in Columbus, OH 43211
Phone: 614-297-2300
This world-renown museum depicts Ohio history from the Ice Age to 1970. The museums interesting architecture is made up of three stories, 250,000 square-feet, supported at the base by a glass enclosed entryway anchored by four stunning columns. It houses the museum, library and state archives of Ohio, gift shop 280 seat auditorium, and offices. The library preserves and collects written and graphic information concerning Ohio's history. The museum store offers publications, posters, ceramics, and historical reproductions, educational games and toys. Teachers and members receive a 10% discount. In addition to its permanent collection, the center offers a rotating schedule of temporary exhibits. The Center's newly renovated, permanent natural history exhibit features Ohio's plants, animals, geology, geography, and climate and weather.
Excerpt from December 2008 edition of OhioTraveler
LEARNING OHIO HISTORY HAS
NEVER BEEN SO MUCH FUN
(PLAY VIDEO)
Ohio’s history is filled with truths stranger than fiction.
The Buckeye State is home to an inordinate number of nationally acclaimed comedians, former Presidents and fly boys. It birthed “rock n roll” and Rockefeller. It fielded the first professional baseball team and houses the professional football hall of fame.
The 17th state of the union is as diverse as its landscape which features the north coast, Ohio River and Appalachia regions. It bridged the original states of the union to the rest of what would later become the lower 48 as “The Gateway State.”
Welcome to the wonderful world of Ohio history. It’s as unique as the building that contains it. In the capital city of Columbus, Ohio’s past is presented in all its glory at the Ohio Historical Center.
Its permanent collections, traveling exhibitions and special events deliver a new experience every visit. Many innovative and interactive displays engage the minds of young and old in impactful settings.
Ohio’s
ancient past explores more than 15,000 years of Ohio’s prehistoric and
historic Native American heritage. Interesting discoveries are revealed
here including the Adena Pipe, the mica hand, and the Wray figurine. Not
only are visitors able to see life as it was thousands of years ago in
these lands, but computer stations allow for even deeper exploration for
information. Try the Ohio Historical Society’s Archaeology blog and tour
the
First Ohioans on-line exhibit.
Venture from the ancients to frontier
days to the 1970s,
focusing on agricultural and industrial progress. One of the most popular
sections of this exhibit is Ohio and its role during the Civil War.
Artifacts include weapons, uniforms, medical and camp equipment among
other notable items. The highlights continue with 1920s newsreels, an
operating carriage shop, vintage automobiles and children’s activities,
including a log cabin and pioneer kitchen, where young people may dress in
pioneer clothes and operate a spinning wheel for starters.
The Ohio Historical Center leaves no stone unturned and even preserves the
history of nature in Ohio. Here, visitors can explore five themes
of Ohio’s natural history: plants, animals, geology, geography and
climate. Greeting all those who enter is the enormous Conway mastodon.
Beyond its grasp is a tour spanning the ice age presented in a highly
interactive manner designed for young people to touch specimens and play
with computer displays and other hands-on stations. Highlights include
Battelle Discovery Park and Theatre.
Located on the third floor of the Ohio Historical Center is the Archives/Library. It is there that researchers, historians and otherwise curious minds gather to delve into every nook and cranny of Ohio’s documented history. It also houses the State Archives of Ohio. Genealogists are one of the most popular patrons of the Archives/Library.
Adjacent to the Ohio Historical Center is Ohio Village. Ohio Village is designed to recreate the typical county-seat town in Ohio during the mid 19th century. The buildings are fully operational and complete, not just merely facades. The village is only open to the public for special events, school groups and private events.
More to explore:
The Center offers education programs for school groups with a wide range of subject-focused field trips. Group tours may be arranged for seniors, church groups, large families, students and youth groups by calling 614-297-2915. Private events and parties may be planned in the Center or Ohio Village for meetings, weddings and banquets of all kinds. Call 614-297-2915 to plan your special occasion. The Ohio History Store offers books and magazines, posters, ceramics, historical reproductions and much more.
The Ohio Historical Center is open Thursday from 9am – 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from Noon to 5pm. Admission is $8 for those age 13 or older and $4 for ages 6-12 plus $4 per vehicle for parking.
Visit
www.ohiohistory.org
or dial
614-297-2300 or 800-686-6124
for special holiday hours, discounts, announcements and directions.
The Ohio Historical Center is located at 1982 Velma Avenue in
Columbus, OH 43211.
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
Printout: Ohio Historical Center
Location:
(Map
It) 73 ½ South Professor St.,
Phone: 440-774-1700
“The
Printout: Oberlin Heritage Center
Exhibits are displayed by the Montgomery County Historical Society and feature the areas history. The museum features items from the Wright Brothers to the National Cash Register Company and its founder – John Patterson. This old courthouse and the courthouse square have been witness to speeches by Presidents from Lincoln to Reagan. And as a national historical monument, the structure is one of the finest Classical revivals in the country.
Printout: Old Courthouse Museum
HISTORIC FORT STEUBEN
(Admission is $5/adults, $3/children over 6; discounts for groups)
Historic Fort Steuben is a reconstructed 18th century fort on its original site overlooking the Ohio River in Steubenville, Ohio. It recreates the life of the soldiers who were assigned to protect the surveyors of the newly opened Northwest Territory, the gateway to the west. Adjacent to the Fort is The First Federal Land Office, an original 1801 structure with antiques and documents. Ohio Valley Frontier Days with reenactors, crafters, music and food is held the last weekend in June. Fort Steuben Park is home to the Fort Steuben Visitor Center and the Berkman Amphitheater where summer concerts are held.
Printout: Historic Fort Steuben
The museum once served as the original Perry town hall. It was built in 1875. The museum displays many historic photographs, documents and memoirs. It also features letters, furniture, clothing, collectibles and other relics covering the region’s historic roots.
Printout: Perry Historical Museum
PIQUA HISTORICAL AREA STATE
MEMORIAL
($8.00/adults and
$4.00/students 6-12)
Printout: Piqua Historical Area State Memorial
The 12-acre museum site includes the John Lowrie & Mary Helen Beatty Museum, a pioneer homestead, land grant office, 1810 New England barn, Ford Seed Company museum, steam traction engine and a distinctive clock tower with an 1882 clock and bell. Log Cabin from 1830's and new interactive Indian village The museum itself has a vast collection of artifacts including native-American tools, pottery, casting tools, Riddle Hearse, military items, farm tools, saddles, household fixtures, kids clothes and toys, and women's clothing and jewelry. Visitors should be sure to see the cathedral style stained glass window, which originally came from the courthouse built in 1882.
Printout: Portage County Historical Society and Museum
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The Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds report for Spring Training in mid February. It’s the time of year when everyone talks about baseball legends and folklore and dreams of winning the pennant.
When I was a kid, I was (and still am) a die-hard Tribe fan. And the story I’ll share is one that is well-documented, little known, and told by my father and his father before.
Ray Chapman, "Chappie," was a fan favorite and beloved by his teammates. He played shortstop for the Cleveland Indians from 1912 – 1920. In 1917, he set a record for most sacrifice hits, 67, in a season. He was a decent hitter with a career batting average of .278. He set a team record for stolen bases in a single season, 52, that stood until 1980. In 1918, he led the American League with runs scored and walks. He was an excellent bunter and if the Gold Glove were awarded then, he’d probably have a few of those too.
Back in the early 1900s, pitchers ruled the diamond. They could do things to the ball that today’s pitchers could only fantasize. They scuffed it, spit tobacco juice on it, smeared dirt all around it, and eventually turned the white leather into a dark mass. New York Yankee submarine pitcher Carl Mays mucked the ball up with the best of them.
And on August 16, 1920, Chappie stepped into the batters box to face Mays. Due to the lack of lighting and the invisible ball, many believe Chapman never even saw what killed him. It struck him in the head; batting helmets weren’t required until 30 some years later.
Although many say Chapman may have been inducted into the Hall of Fame had his career not been cut short, he will forever be remembered as the only modern-era professional baseball player to die as a direct result of being hit by a pitched ball.
His death later led to changes in rules governing “doctoring” the baseball.
For the rest of the 1920 season, the Cleveland ball club wore black armbands to honor their fallen teammate. Together, they achieved winning their first World Series that year.
Ray Chapman is buried in Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery. More than 100,000 others spanning all walks of life join him, including President James A. Garfield, Eliot Ness, and John D. Rockefeller. Lake View Cemetery is also considered a beautiful botanical garden. If you want to pay homage to a fallen hero of America’s pastime, put a flower on Raymond Johnson Chapman’s grave this season and whisper “play ball.”
Excerpts from article written for OhioTraveler.com eMagazine in February 2007 by Frank Satullo
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The museum highlights General James W. Denver (for whom Denver, Colorado was named), Eli Harvey (artist and sculptor), and Carl Moon (photographer of the Southwest).
James Denver moved to Wilmington, Ohio in 1831. His personal library and military artifacts are on display. Eli Harvey was an internationally known artist. His works are on display. And Carl Moon’s photos of Southwest Indians are on display. He was one of the first to photograph native-Americans in their natural habitat. The museum’s Quaker Room is dedicated to items demonstrating the simple living of Clinton County’s earlier settlers. In addition, there are many Victorian artifacts, furniture and clothing to see as well.
Printout: Rombach Place: Clinton County Historical Society Museum
See what it was like to stroll through a nineteenth century village complete with a general store. Additional buildings include a log cabin and millinery. All of the buildings are at this quaint little recreated village are either original structures in their original places or original structures moved to the village from other locations throughout Strongsville.
Printout: Strongsville Historical Society Village
What’s not to see at this local treasure? The museum is inside an 1896 Victorian home and has many displays covering virtually every period in Van Wert history, including its native-American ancestor age. In addition to Indian artifacts, exhibits include old pictures of the town and memorabilia regarding its military involvements. Other attractions feature the 1951 Pennsylvania Railroad caboose, one-room schoolhouse built in 1906, a large barn and 1860 log cabin home. The school house is fully equipped and includes an extensive history of Van Wert County schools. The barn also includes many artifacts from the county agricultural history, fire fighting equipment, and county fair history.
Printout: Van Wert County Historical Museum
In my opinion, the best place to be during an Ohio winter is indoors with a good book, within arm’s reach of hot chocolate. However, by February, even I’m tired of hibernating. Snow or no snow, I need to get out! Often, I kill two birds with one stone by visiting the Wood County District Public Library, spending hours reading by the fireplace, chatting with friends, and going online. I love it there!
However, there are many other libraries in Ohio worth a visit, some tucked away in places you might not think to look, including public gardens, museums, professional organizations, and universities. Specialty libraries usually welcome visitors and allow collection use during visiting hours. Some also allow borrowing, although a membership or borrower’s card may be required first. One warning: be sure to call about policies, visiting hours, admission fees, and material availability before you visit; the current economic crisis is forcing a lot of changes.
One of my favorites is the Warren H. Corning Library, a breath of spring located at Kirtland’s Holden Arboretum. Planning future gardens here is a perfect antidote to snow! Only members can check books out, but the public is welcome whenever the library’s open. (The rare book room isn’t open to the public, but the curator might let you take a peek.)
Look for the free landscape bulletins, too, which offer helpful gardening information. (These are also available online, at www.holdenarb.org/resources/horticulture-bulletins.asp).
Need some fresh air? The arboretum has great hiking and cross-country ski trails –borrow a field guide and see how many animal tracks you can identify!
If there’s a child in the house, a trip to the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library is a nice diversion. The main branch has a really fun children’s section that can keep kids busy for hours, complete with characters from favorite stories and a huge children’s magazine section. They also have a nice eatery and gift shop.
Then there’s the Sanger Branch Library in Sylvania, home of a reading room filled with larger-than-life scenes from author/illustrator Denise Fleming’s picture books. (Interesting trivia: Fleming got her first library card as a child at the original Sanger.) A peek-a-boo brick wall, a tree twinkling with fireflies, a fish pond – kids can spend hours here finding favorite book scenes.
Take heart. Winter won’t last forever. Spring is on its way. When it finally arrives, a trip to the Bainbridge Library herb garden (brainchild of gardening enthusiast Kathy Catani) will banish the rest of your winter wearies.
“My daughter worked at the library [in 1988-1989],” says Kathy, “and whenever I’d … pick her up, I’d look at that piece of ground and think what a perfect place it would be for a garden. I finally put an article in the paper asking if anybody would be interested in helping me start an herb garden there, and I got a great response.”
These eager responders eventually formed the Chagrin Valley Herb Society, which is still involved in caring for the garden, as well as holding meetings and programs in the library.
The garden, divided into smaller gardens (such as a culinary garden, a potpourri garden, a butterfly garden, and a medicinal garden), includes two wheelchair-accessible fragrance gardens in raised beds labeled in Braille. Personal tours can be arranged through the library.
Many Ohio public libraries offer more than just reading material to their patrons. Here’s just a sample of unusual items that are available with a library card.
Cake pans of various shapes and sizes [Reed Memorial Library – Ravenna; J.R. Clarke Public Library – Covington; Hubbard Public Library]
Toys, puppets, puzzles, and games [too many to list]
Original art and art prints [Norwalk Public Library; Wayne County Public Library - Wooster]
Woodworking and crafts patterns and blueprints [Lorain Public Library]
Polaroid cameras [Milton-Union Public Library – West Milton]
Microscope [Wornstaff Public Library - Ashley]
Video games [Morley Library – Painesville; Hubbard Public Library]
10’ x 10’ gazebo with netting; live animal traps; sewing machine; telescopes [Canal Fulton Public Library]
There are too many great Ohio libraries to list them all; below are a few more you can investigate on your own, plus the contact information for all the places mentioned in the main article above. Happy hunting!
Check These Out:
Avon
Lake Public Library
32649 Electric Blvd.
Avon Lake OH 44012
Phone: 440-933-8128
Website: [library]
http://www.alpl.org
[DiscoveryWorks]
www.avonlake.lib.oh.us/DiscoveryWorks/default.asp#
Email:
refdesk@avonlake.lib.oh.us
Hours [DiscoveryWorks]: M-Th 10:30 am – 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm – 5 pm & Fri
10:30 am – 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Home of DiscoveryWorks, a hands-on arts and science learning center for
children
Cleveland Botanical Garden
11030 East Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Phone: 216-707-2812
Website:
http://www.cbgarden.org
Email: [garden]
info@cbgarden.org
[librarian]
gesmonde@cbgarden.org
Hours: After Labor Day until Memorial Day Tue-Sat 10:00 am - 5:00 pm,
Sun Noon - 5:00 pm, Closed Mondays. Hershey Children's Garden closes for
winter November 1; all other gardens remain open throughout winter.
Extensive horticultural library [the Eleanor Squire Library]
Hudson
Library and Historical Society
96 Library St.
Hudson OH 44236
Phone: 330-653-6658
Website:
http://www.hudsonlibrary.org/
Email:
tjojtk@gmail.com [Gwen Mayer, archivist]
Hours: M-Th 9 am - 9 pm; Fri-Sat 9 am -5 pm; Sun Noon -5 pm.
Extensive collection of abolitionist John Brown material, including all
books written about him or Underground Railroad/Anti-Slavery activities
in Ohio.
North
Canton Public Library
Home of The Little Art Gallery
185 North Main Street
North Canton, Ohio 44720
Phone: 330-499-4712
Website: [library]
http://www.ncantonlibrary.org
[gallery]
http://www.ncantonlibrary.org/LAG/default.htm
Email: [gallery]
gallery@northcantonlibrary.org
Hours: M-Th 9 am to 9 pm; Fri 9 pm to 6 pm; Sat 9 pm to 5 pm; Sun 1 pm
to 5 pm, Labor Day through Memorial Day.
Features artists from Stark County and surrounding NE Ohio in monthly
shows; they sometimes include art by local children.
Pro
Football Hall of Fame
Archives and Information Center
2121 George Halas Drive NW|
Canton OH 44708
Phone: 330-456-8207
Website:
http://www.profootballhof.com
Email:
tourism@profootballhof.com
Hours: M-Fri 9 am – 5 pm [call first; AIC open only by appointment]
Everything you want to know about pro football; huge collection of
Spaulding guides, clippings, scrapbooks, media guides, etc.
Rocky
River Public Library
1600 Hampton Rd.
Rocky River OH 44116
Phone: 440-333-7610 [museum ext. 3763]
Website [library]:
http://www.rrpl.org
Website [museum]:
www.rrpl.org/cowan_pottery/cowan_index.html,
http://www.cowanpottery.org
Email [museum curator]:
c.jacobs@rrpl.org
Hours: M-Th 1 pm -9 pm; Fri & Sat 9 am -6 pm; Sun 1 pm -5 pm
Home of Cowan Pottery Museum, world’s largest publicly owned collection
of Cowan pottery (over 1200 pieces, including “Jazz Bowl”, by Viktor
Schreckengost); also in-depth collection of ceramics and porcelain
reference materials. Contact museum's curator to schedule tour.
Libraries Mentioned in Article:
The
Bainbridge Library
17222 Snyder Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Phone: 440-543-5611
Website:
http://www.geauga.lib.oh.us/index.htm
Email:
bainbrid@oplin.org
Hours: [library] Fall/Winter M-Th 9 am- 9 pm; Fri-Sat. 9 am – 5 pm; Sun
1 pm – 5 pm [garden] Dawn to dusk.
Holden
Arboretum
9500 Sperry Road
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
Phone: 440-946-4400 (Warren H. Corning Library: ext. 225; Rare Book
Room: ext. 139)
Website:
http://www.holdenarb.org
E-mail:
holden@holdenarb.org
Hours: T-Sat 10am - 5pm; Closed Mondays
Rare Book Room use by appointment only. ID guides available from library
or Corning Visitor Center information desk.
Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – Main
325 Michigan St.
Toledo, OH 43566
Phone: 419-259-5207
Website:
http://www.toledolibrary.org
Email:
Dorcel.Dowdell@toledolibrary.org [main library manager]
Hours: M-Th 9 am – 9 pm; Fri-Sat 9 am – 5:30 pm; Sun 1 pm – 5:30 pm
Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – Sanger Branch
3030 West Central Ave.
Toledo, OH 43606
Phone: 419-259-5370
Website:
www.toledolibrary.org/about/location.asp?brch=Sanger&brch2= Email:
Erin.Connolly@toledolibrary.org [branch manager]
Hours: M-Th 9 am – 9 pm; Fri-Sat 9 am – 5:30 pm; Sun 1 pm – 5:30 pm
Wood
County District Public Library
251 N. Main St.
Bowling Green OH 43402
Phone: 419-352-5104
Website:
http://wcdpl.lib.oh.us/
Email:
woodref@oplin.org
Hours: M-W 10 am – 8:30 pm; Th-Fri 10 am – 6 pm; Sat 10 am – 5 pm; Sun 1
pm – 5 pm
Excerpt from February 2009 edition of OhioTraveler by Betty Winslow
Printout: Unique Northern Ohio Libraries
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Lebanon, OH 45036
Phone: 513-932-1817
The
Warren County Historical Society Museum is located in historic downtown
Lebanon, Ohio (just two doors south of the Golden Lamb Inn) and is acclaimed
as one of the nation’s most outstanding county museums. Inside you will find
a host of exhibits on early Americana ranging from prehistoric times through
the Victorian age and beyond. Most notable are the museum’s extensive
paleontology and archaeology collections, its Village Green exhibit where
antique toys, clocks, guns and clothing are arranged in charming storefront
exhibits, and its Shaker Gallery which features one of the largest collections
of Shaker artifacts found anywhere. Other noteworthy exhibits include a
pioneer cabin, unique collections of horse-drawn vehicles, early farming
tools, furniture and folk art. There is also a local history and genealogy
library that houses a vast quantity of manuscripts and reference material.
The museum store, The Rocking Horse, sells Shaker reproductions, decorative
accessories and books.
The historical society also owns and operates Glendower Historic
Mansion at 105 Cincinnati Ave. in Lebanon, Ohio 45036. Admission is the same.
The house is open Wednesday through Sunday from Noon to 4pm during the summer,
weekends in the spring and fall.
Printout: Warren County Historical Museum
(Admission: $8.50 for adults; $7.50 for seniors; $5.00 for students)
The Society's University Circle
complex houses a Library and two Museums. The History Museum features tours of
a mansion built in 1911. You'll discover the lifestyles of the rich and
famous, and of the servants whose lives differed dramatically from the main
house glamour. The Chisholm Halle Costume Wing is one of the top-ranked
costume collections in the nation, showcasing garments from the late 1700s to
the present.
The Crawford Auto Aviation Museum showcases antique, vintage, and classic
automobiles and aircraft ranging from model T's to modern-day Jaguars. In both
Museums, special exhibitions focus on the many different chapters of life in
the Western Reserve.
The Library is a principal repository for histories, records, and papers
relating to the growth and development of Cleveland and the Western Reserve.
Patrons visit to learn about their family's history; and important archival
collections include urban, African American, ethnic, Jewish, and Labor
histories.
Printout:
Western Reserve
Historical Society
THE WILLIAM
MCKINLEY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM
(Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for students
ages 3-18)
The William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is a family friendly history and science museum. The Museum includes the McKinley Gallery, the Street of Shops, the Keller Gallery, Discover World, the Hoover-Price Planetarium, and the Ramsayer Research Library. The McKinley National Memorial, burial site of President William McKinley and his family, is also on the Museum grounds.
Printout: William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
Open: April 22 - October 29 & December 2 -17 - Tuesday through Friday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm and Saturday & Sunday 1-4 pm.
Location: 13660 County Home Road, Bowling Green, Ohio
Phone: 419-352-0967
Located on the grounds of the former Wood County Infirmary, this unique site is one of the last county infirmaries where nearly all of the original structures still stand. The Center includes the large, Victorian Era building, now a museum with over thirty exhibit rooms dedicated to showcasing the history of the Home and of Wood County. The outdoor park, maintained by the Wood County Park District, offers an herb garden, nature trails, and numerous outdoor points of interest including a working oil derrick and an extensive collection of farm implements. The Center hosts a variety of public educational programs and events including the Wood County Heritage Days, Power of Yesteryear Tractor Show, Old Home Holiday Tours, monthly curatorial programs and social teas, vintage base ball team, and self-guided or guided group tours for schools and organizations. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Printout: Wood County Historical Center and Museum
This local history museum exhibits memorabilia of the Solon are history.
Maple Heights Historical Museum
(Admission is Free)
Formerly a one-room schoolhouse, this museum exhibits, primarily, historic photographs and old household items used by early-day residents.
Shelby Museum of History
(Admission is Free)
The Shelby museum is home to a wide-array of artifacts and memorabilia illustrating the history of Shelby, Ohio and its businesses and citizens.
Lakewood’s history on display representing the life and times of the community’s past and present.
Seneca County Museum
(Admission is Free)
The museum is located inside a Greek Revival historical house built in 1853. Among its collection of Seneca County memorabilia, it also features rooms concentrating on the Tiffin glass industry’s history and a carriage house displaying antique fire-fighting equipment and horse-drawn carriages.
Euclid Historical Museum
(Admission is Free)
This museum displays early Western Reserve artifacts and other relics depicting the history of the Euclid area community.
Memorabilia representing the area’s history includes, Native-American artifacts and arrowheads, fossils, linens and dolls. It also has displays depicting the local community and military history.
Brooklyn Historical Society
(Admission is Free)
The Brooklyn museum features artifacts of furniture dating between 1830 and the 1950’s.
Garfield Heights Historical Museum
(Admission is Free)
The museum is housed in a century home with a herb garden just outside.
Disclosure: As a precaution, please call ahead to the venues you plan to visit to ensure that the hours, admittance and other data in this Web site have not changed. We assume no responsibility for omissions, inaccuracies or errors within the contents of this Web site. However, we will take into consideration, any comments that would better represent the venues within, and add them to our Web site.
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