Temporary Micro Exhibit Highlights The Discovery

The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), in collaboration with Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE), is proud to announce the confirmation of a newly discovered shipwreck in Lake Erie — the bark Clough — along with the opening of a temporary micro exhibit showcasing the find.

CLUE, with support from NMGL, has worked since 2001 to locate and identify shipwrecks in Lake Erie, helping to preserve and share the region’s maritime history. Following several site visits, the creation of a detailed site map, and extensive historical research, the team has now positively identified the vessel as the Clough. The discovery carries deep meaning for CLUE and NMGL. The wreck site is associated with the tragic loss of CLUE founder David VanZandt in June 2024. In the months following his passing, both organizations committed to completing the identification process with care, accuracy, and respect.

Through collaborative research and documentation, the vessel has now been formally confirmed. Built in Lorain, Ohio, in 1867, the Clough was a stone-hauling sailing vessel owned by Baxter Clough, a quarry owner from Amherst, Ohio. Measuring 125 feet in length with a breadth of 26.5 feet, the Clough was classified as a bark — a three-masted vessel rigged with square sails on the foremast and schooner sails on the main and mizzen masts.

The ship met its fate just one year after its launch, sinking on September 15, 1868, while transporting stone for Great Lakes commerce. To share this important discovery with the public, NMGL debuts a new temporary micro exhibit highlighting the Clough and the process behind its identification. The exhibit opened February 18, 2026, and will be on view through April 16, 2026, at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo.

Visitors will learn about the vessel’s history, the archaeological work that led to its confirmation, and CLUE’s ongoing efforts to document Lake Erie shipwrecks. “This discovery represents both a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history and a meaningful continuation of David VanZandt’s legacy,” said Carrie Sowden, Director of Archaeology and Research, National Museum of the Great Lakes. “We’re honored to partner with CLUE to bring this story to light and to share it with our community through this exhibit.”

The Clough micro exhibit offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at underwater exploration and historical research, connecting modern discovery with 19th-century Great Lakes commerce. Museum admission includes access to the exhibit. For more information, visit nmgl.org.

In Ohio Amish Country

Spring is the perfect time to savor the simple pleasures of Ohio Amish Country. The Holmes County countryside comes alive with fresh blooms and rolling green hills where scenic backroads invite you to explore at your own pace. Discover roadside stands and welcoming greenhouses brimming with garden starters, colorful hanging baskets, and everything you need to bring your own spring garden to life.  Stop by the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau Welcome Center at 6 West Jackson Street in historic downtown Millersburg to grab a Gardens & Greenhouses Trail Card and area map. Berlin Seeds, located on Country Road 77 in Berlin, is a great place to start for heirloom seeds and garden supplies. Wander over to The Gardens at Sheiyah Market in downtown Berlin for unique pottery, fountains, birdbaths, annuals, perennials, and garden planning inspiration.

Spring adventures continue beyond the gardens and greenhouses.  Treasure hunters will delight in the garage sale and thrifting scene that unfolds each spring season in Ohio Amish Country.  The official garage sale season kicks off in Berlin, Ohio April 23^rd through 25^th.  This community-wide garage sale event brings dozens of sale locations together across the village and the nearby countryside.  Your first stop should be the North Market Variety Store in Berlin to retrieve the official sale map. Event information can also be found on the Berlin Main Street Merchants website, https://www.visitberlinohio.com/. Early mornings tend to be the busiest, when sellers set out their best items.  Comfortable shoes and a flexible schedule go a long way toward helping you make the most of your day.

Many shoppers like to mix garage sales with thrifting, and there is no shortage of quality thrift stores to explore in Ohio Amish Country.  The Save and Serve Thrift Shop in Millersburg has been serving the community for over 50 years and is a bargain hunter’s paradise with well-organized aisles and a wide variety of sale items.  Other favorite thrifting destinations include Harvest Thrift Store in Sugarcreek and Wilmot, Goodwill in Millersburg, The Trading Post Thrift Store just west of Mt. Hope, and Mission Thrift in Berlin.

After a busy day of spring adventures, unwind with a glass of wine at Doughty Glen Winery near the village of Charm or treat yourself to an Amish-inspired meal at the Der Dutchman Restaurant in Walnut Creek, where comfort food and warm hospitality go hand in hand. Ohio Amish Country is best enjoyed at a slower pace, so include an overnight stay during your spring escape.  Enjoy the cozy comforts of a cottage nestled in the scenic rolling hills, a bird’s eye view from a tree house cabin perched above the landscape, or the charm of a local bed and breakfast offering all the comforts of home.  Whether planting ideas for your spring garden, enjoying the thrill of the bargain hunt, or simply reconnecting with nature, Ohio Amish Country offers a refreshing spring escape filled with beauty, adventure, local flavor, and relaxation. Plan your getaway at https://www.visitamishcountry.com/.

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Celebrate America 250 in Miami County, Ohio

Ohio is marking a once-in-a-generation milestone in 2026, the 250th anniversary of the United States, done Ohio Style, and Miami County is proudly part of the celebration. The statewide America 250-Ohio initiative brings together history, culture, community events, trails, and stories that help explain Ohio’s central role in America’s journey from a collection of colonies to a modern nation.

If you’re a local history buff, an adventure seeker, or just looking for inspiration for your next road trip, Miami County’s America 250 offerings are rich with experiences that connect the past to the present. From aviation, canal heritage, local distilleries, and historic farms, there’s something for everyone to explore.

Discover the Trails to Tales in Miami County

One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate America 250 is through Ohio’s Trails and Tales programs, which weave together places and stories across the state.

Ohio Air & Space Trail 

Ohio’s aviation legacy, from the Wright Brothers’ first flights to pioneering aircraft design and space exploration, is celebrated at more than 30 stops across the state. Miami County’s own WACO Learning Center & Air Museum in Troy is featured on this trail, inviting both history lovers and families to step inside the story of flight.

Lake Erie to the Ohio River Trail

This expansive trail highlights Ohio’s historic waterways and canal systems, which were critical to westward expansion and commerce in early America, and extends into Miami County, with multiple stops along the way. Five local destinations along this trail include Johnston Farm & Indian Agency, Indian Creek Distillery, Lock 9 Park in Piqua, Lock 12 in Troy, and Lock 15 in Tipp City. Each offers a peek into life along the Miami & Erie Canal and the ways water transportation shaped Ohio’s growth. 

Along the way, visitors can enjoy scenic trails, interpretive signage, remnants of canals, and places to picnic or stroll with family, all while learning about the vital role Ohio’s waterways played in connecting the young nation.

Miami County History Pass 

Make your visit to the area even more history-filled with the Miami County History Pass, which ties many of these trail stops together into an interactive experience. Sign up on your phone, check in at participating locations around Troy, Piqua, Tipp City, Covington, and West Milton, and earn prizes as you explore.

Some Historic Stops to Celebrate America 250 in Miami County

WACO Learning Center & Air Museum

Step back into the era of barnstorming biplanes and remarkable aviation feats. The WACO Air Museum honors the legacy of the world’s largest producer of biplanes in the 1920s, and you can even take flight on a historic biplane ride, a bucket-list experience for aviation fans and adventurers!

Pro tip: Book your flight ahead of time; the time of year and weather will affect your ride.

Johnston Farm & Indian Agency 

Explore the roots of Miami County’s early settlers and Native American history at the Johnston Farm site, which transports visitors to life in the 1800s. Plan to spend a good amount of time here; you’ll want to explore the museum and take a ride on the canal boat.

Pro tip: Bring mosquito spray for your canal boat ride; these feisty friends like to say hello.

Indian Creek Distillery

Raise a glass to history at this award-winning distillery that celebrates local craftsmanship and community. The story here is quite fascinating; ask about the prohibition history! This stop is a perfect place to relax after a day of exploring.  

Lock 9 Park in Piqua & Canal Landmarks

Take a walk along the Great Miami River, enjoy shaded picnic areas, and imagine the tugboats and canal boats that once moved goods along Ohio’s historic waterways. Pausing to listen to the quiet parts of history along the waterway is a unique way to connect with the past. 

Bradford Railroad Museum

Just a short drive away, railroad history fans will love a visit to the Bradford Railroad Museum in the heart of the Miami Valley. This small-town gem does a beautiful job of preserving the story of railroading and its important role in shaping transportation across the nation. Inside, you’ll find three levels of thoughtfully curated exhibits that are easy to explore and packed with interesting details. You will see operational signals, learn about life on the rails through the Hobo Exhibit, and discover how the railroad supported the country during wartime. There is a nostalgic dining car exhibit, railroad watches and china on display, and even an interactive telegraph that lets you try your hand at sending a message.

Pro-tip: Kids will love the play area and hands-on puzzles, and everyone can snap a memory at the photo kiosk before browsing the museum gift shop.

America 250 Events & Community Moments 

Miami County’s America 250 celebrations include a growing list of community events throughout 2026, from genealogy programs and Ohio Goes to the Movies film nights to history talks and family-friendly activities. Keep an eye on the local calendar as new events are added throughout the year.

Mark your calendar for an epic event, June 6, 2026, during the Strawberry Festival, where the two headliners will be performing for FREE in conjunction with Troy celebrating America 250- Ohio style.

Pro-tip: Save the events tab for future reference for upcoming activities

A Year to Remember 

America 250-Ohio is about more than anniversary celebrations; it’s about the Miami County connection. It encourages Ohioans and visitors to reflect on the people and places that helped shape the nation, to walk the trails where history happened, and to enjoy community gatherings that celebrate heritage and shared values.

Grab your walking shoes, hop on your bike, or plan a weekend getaway to Miami County. With historic stops, trail adventures, thoughtful exhibits, and joyful events, there’s no better time to make new memories while honoring the first 250 years of America.

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The Warther Museum & Gardens

Hi, I’m The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun.

Welcome to The Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens in Dover, Ohio.

It showcases the life’s work of Master Carver Ernest “Mooney” Warther. The collection is appraised as priceless by the Smithsonian Institution.

The trains are carved to exact scale, some with 7,500 parts,
on a simple bench in Mooney’s modest workshop.
Many trains have electric motors that turn the moving parts.

Walk the Swiss gardens and into the Button House
for another sight to behold,
Moonie’s wife Freida’s fascinating collection of buttons.

The grounds are also home to the making of exclusive Warther Cutlery.

Come and be amazed by Warther’s Carvings!

Are in West Central Ohio!

March is here! What does that mean, exactly? For many, it means Spring and hopefully warm, sunny days are here to stay. It also means many schools will soon be on Spring Break, and you’re most likely searching for new ways to keep your children entertained. Well, we have just the place for you to visit!

The Ohio Caverns, “America’s Most Colorful Caverns,” lies beneath the rolling hills of west central Ohio. The surrounding rural countryside doesn’t represent a typical tourist area. Rather than rows of roadside attractions and bumper-to-bumper traffic, visitors wandering the quiet country roads are more likely to see a true representation of rural Ohio. Once you arrive at the caverns, however, you’ll be introduced to a unique underground world and its natural splendor.

Wandering the caverns’ passages is like taking a trip through geologic time, viewing the limestone caverns as they were created thousands of years ago. A single drop of water glistens on the tip of a pure white stalactite deep inside Ohio Caverns. In time (a few minutes or possibly hours), the drop will fall, leaving a tiny trace of calcite. Eventually, that drop will be replaced by another drop. This process, a blend of stone, water, and time, created the beauty of the stalactites and stalagmites viewed throughout the cavern today.

Ohio Caverns was discovered in 1897 on a farmer’s property. The cavern was found by a 17-year-old farmhand who was working in a wooded area when he noticed the disappearance of water into what is referred to as a “sinkhole.” It was through this sinkhole that he first ventured into the cavern. It is also believed that this was the first time man entered the Ohio Caverns.

Over a hundred and twenty years of tourists visiting the cavern represent only seconds of the cavern’s life. Thousands of years ago, subterranean water eroded the limestone passages that are present today. No attempt has been made to give a precise age of the cavern or its formations. This is primarily true because the water flow and mineral deposits probably varied through the ages. One can only estimate the caverns’ age range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years. However old the cavern and formations are, it is clear that their creation took a very long time, they are irreplaceable, and a moment of carelessness or mismanagement could destroy them.

Once inside, the tour takes you through a series of passages, concluding with viewing four large rooms. It’s in these rooms that most of the crystallization is present. Tour guides explain the various aspects of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, helactites, and flowstones as you pass along the well-lighted walkways. One of the many highlights of the tour is the Crystal King, which is the largest stalactite in the state of Ohio. However, it is best known for its pure white color and perfect conical shape.

The Ohio Caverns is acclaimed as “America’s Most Colorful Caverns” due primarily to a variety of minerals contained within the limestone. In the same process that water forms the crystal formations through mineral deposits, it also produces many colors throughout the cavern. Iron deposits bring about brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds, staining the limestone corridors throughout. Manganese deposits give darker coloration, such as purple, blue, and black. Combined with pure white crystallization, these colors provide a visitor with a unique contrast of natural coloration.

Ohio Caverns is a private, family-owned business. Ownership goes to great lengths to protect the delicate cavern environment so future generations can view it as it was first observed in 1897. This is an ongoing process with the goal of keeping Ohio Caverns as one of Ohio’s outstanding natural attractions.

Ohio Caverns is an all-weather attraction and is open year-round. Tours are guided and take approximately one hour. The temperature remains at a constant 54 degrees throughout the year. Tours are educational and allow the public to see the wonderful world of underground beauty. Photography is welcome!

Many conveniences are provided for your comfort and recreation. A 35-acre well-maintained park is located directly above the cavern and contains a playground, two picnic shelter houses, and other picnic areas. A large rock and souvenir shop is located within the visitor center building, and it contains a wide variety of minerals, fossils, and other merchandise characteristic of this wonderful natural attraction. Gem mining bags are also available to purchase in the gift shop. There is an outdoor sluice or, if the weather is cold, an indoor sluice to use to pan out the gem bags for different gemstones, fossils, and even arrowheads.

Visit https://ohiocaverns.com/ to plan your adventure.

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Enjoy a leisurely day shopping
Yoder’s Bakery and Furniture
Formerly Keim Family Market
in Ohio’s gorgeous
Wheat Ridge Amish Community
in Seaman, Ohio.

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Ohio has two Packard automobile museums, one in the northeast and the other in the southwest part of the state.

“Hey there, friend, what can we put you in today?” may echo in both museums.

The National Packard Museum is where the automobile was first invented in Warren, Ohio, by the Packard brothers. Walk around, and the nostalgia and authenticity of Packard’s origin come to life. It’s another chapter of Ohio’s innovation at the turn of the Nineteenth to Twentieth Centuries.

The American Packard Museum boasts the most extensive public collection of Packard automobiles and memorabilia worldwide. The museum is in a former Packard dealership that opened in 1917. It would be an excellent find for Hollywood if a movie needed a scene from a classy auto dealer’s showroom.

Until that happens, know that the museums have acquired their Hollywood stars. An example is the 1948 Henney Landau 3-way Hearse displayed at The American Packard Museum. It was featured in the 1972 movie The Godfather when Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando) was taken to the cemetery and buried.

Two shooting stars crossed paths in the 1950s. As Packard was fizzling out, DeLorean was burning red hot. The illustrious and infamous John DeLorean invented the iconic DeLorean car of Back to the Future cinematic fame. During his early career, he worked for Packard. The 28-year-old auto engineer set out to improve  the company’s new “Ultramatic Drive” (automatic transmission).

The Packard Motor Car Company invented several key components of the automobile. These innovations included the steering wheel (cars until then used steering rudders), bumpers, and air conditioning. It was, after all, America’s most luxurious automobile. It was known for its unsurpassed quality and luxury, with a price tag to match it. The first Packard was built by two brothers, James and William Packard, in Warren, Ohio, in 1899. Their company name changed from the Ohio Automobile Company to Packard Motor Car Company a few years later.

Packard autos were a status symbol for their owners, rivaling names like Mercedes Benz and Rolls Royce. Celebrities of the 1930s, like Charlie Chaplin, owned a Packard among their collection of glamour toys. That is until the company tried to compete in the mid-market autos in the 1930s. This was in part due to the rise of the Cadillac as America’s new darling in the luxury automobile market. Its overall market share shrinking, the company attempted to remain relevant but ultimately folded. Its last hurrah was merging with another fading favorite, Studebaker. The last Packards made were in the mid to late 1950s.

In its heyday, Packard was a household name even though most households couldn’t afford one, at least until its later years. The Dayton museum features a 1934 Super Eight Sport Phaeton, made special for the New York Auto Show that year. Its color, Orello, was a unique blend of orange and yellow, although this color wasn’t  in the Packard catalog. Its price tag was more than $3,000 when the average new automobile only cost $700. The cost was double the average annual salary and half that of a new house. The story behind this particular car on display is that wealthy parents gifted it to their sweet 16-year-old daughter. She hated the color.

Fun tales like this abound at both museums. Plan a visit to see how high society rolled in America back in the early decades of the Twentieth Century.

By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun

Upon approach, the old Wood County Infirmary is very inviting. But the stories from within the walls of this “Poor House” are much glummer.

“The Home” as it was called is one of the last county poor houses still standing in Ohio. The main building was constructed in 1868 and housed Wood County’s poor, elderly, orphaned, sick, and mentally ill. Additional buildings were added several years later such as the Pest House and Lunatic House. The Lunatic House was used for the violently insane. The Pestilence House was used to quarantine residents inflicted with infectious diseases.

The former farm’s compound of buildings and structures appear more mansionesque featuring an Italianate influence.

At its center is a brick Victorian Era building, now a museum with over thirty exhibit rooms dedicated to showcasing the history of the Home and of Wood County. Adjacent brick buildings for former residences add an air of warmth along with its two-story sprawling wood porches. The scene is inspirational. And maybe that was the objective.

The elaborate and massive stone fence around the perimeter and its arching stone gateway lead to parklike grounds, including an arboretum. 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 Infirmary averaged 80 residents but during The Great Depression, it packed in 140. It operated for over 100 years before finally closing in 1971. Several years later, it opened its doors again as the Wood County Historical Center and Museum. And the Wood County Museum has been providing tours ever since.

For those who enjoy “true crime” podcasts and television exposes, there’s a room at the Wood County Museum dedicated to a story that will not disappoint. And in it is a jar of human remains from a murder victim dating to the 1880s. In short, Carl and Mary Bachman and their three children were having financial stress causing Carl to mortgage their Wood County farm. Turmoil in the marriage resulted in an assault, file for divorce, and custody battle before Carl struck Mary 18 forceful blows with a corn-cutter. She was seven months pregnant.

The tragic story including trial transcripts is meticulously kept.

The severed fingers preserved and kept as evidence by Sheriff George Murray Brown along with curious other “mementos” are telling of the peculiar relationship he and Carl Bach formed during Bach’s incarceration at the jailhouse for two years before being executed by hanging at the county courthouse.

The museum is full of nooks and crannies, each with a fascinating story to tell. Exhibits will explain the history of Ohio’s county poor houses. Inside the Lunatic Asylum, mental illness misconceptions and treatments are explained. Another exhibit explores global disease and social programs pioneering sanitation, bath culture, urban planning, and more. Displayed is a full-body iron lung metal coffin-like contraction used in the treatment of polio and other ailments affecting the breathing of patients. There’s also an original Icehouse on the property. It was built before electric refrigeration and was used to preserve the food for the Infirmary residents.

The permanent and temporary exhibits at the Wood County Museum are described at https://woodcountyhistory.org/exhibits/. Upcoming events are posted to https://woodcountyhistory.org/events/.

Who knew a visit to the poor house could be so rich … in history?

By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun

They drove along Reformatory Drive, their attention captured by the stone monster flickering through the fence.

One car was smothered amid a hundred bikers, all donning their leather cuts and club patch. The mass of vehicles slowly constricted to turn and enter a time capsule behind the main gate. Ahead was an avenue of buckeye trees emphasizing – “arrival.” It led smack into the prison, looming as an imposing castle.

“How would you like to live across the street from a prison?” A man asked a boy as they walked, gesturing at the houses across the way.

“Living across from a castle would be awesome!” The boy exclaimed, ignoring the leading question.

Everyone stood in awe of The Ohio State Reformatory. No wonder epic films like Shawshank Redemption were shot at this architectural gem in Mansfield, Ohio. With well over 100 years of hellish stories in its vault, it is ironic that this place was originally meant to inspire. Yet, just as easily, its mixture of architectural styles featuring Chateauesque and Richardsonian with Gothic overtones could also intimidate.  … Click here for the rest of the story …

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Go through a secret door. Ascend the castle-like spiral staircase made of stone. See the interior graffiti wall.

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Take a minute to see the rarely viewed interior of the cupola at the Ohio Statehouse.

Enjoy over 40 tours and trails!

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Learn about the madcap grocer. Go backstage where legendary acts performed. Get lost in dungeons and caves. Sit behind bars where Shawshank Redemption was filmed. Walk the tunnels under a major city. Drive the clothesline of quilts. And see how things are made from glass to chocolate to baseball bats. Open the doors to imagination and inspiration. Explore Ohio’s tours and trails. All of which are just a daytrip away.

Enjoy 40 Ohio planes, trains and automobile attractions. Oh, and maritime, too!

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Plan a trip to a classic car museum. Take flight into aviation history. Ride the rails of Yesteryear. Or set sail! So, pilot, drive, engineer, or captain your way to Ohio’s transportation destinations. Click here for a ticket to your next journey.

What do trolls, cardboard boats and pencil sharpeners have in common? They each have their own museum in Ohio.

Let’s jump down this rabbit hole to discover another world within our own.

Or maybe a troll hole?

The Troll Hole Museum in Alliance, Ohio displays the world’s largest collection of troll dolls. Explorers of this one-of-a-kind museum will discover the history and creation of troll dolls. And with that, the myth, magic and folklore of the ancient trolls themselves! The museum features rooms containing floor to ceiling trolls. In addition, there’s a troll hunters’ cabin, a walk-through troll cave, treasure room, and even an indoor waterfall. For visitor details, click here.

Diving further down the rabbit hole, maybe your new troll would like a cardboard boat.

The Cardboard Boat Museum in New Richmond, Ohio claims to be the world’s only cardboard boat racing museum and America’s cardboard boat racing capital. The museum is owned and run by some of the best cardboard boat engineers and builders in the country. They are serious about their craft and have built many a winning vessel that’s sailed in cardboard boat regattas all over. These architects will provide tours as well as building tips to give your sea-worthy cardboard an advantage in your next race. The exotic and unusual boats are constructed with only cardboard, duct tape and paint. The displays are ever rotating so visitors keep coming back to see what’s new. Click here for visitor information.

And if you’re not far enough down the rabbit hole, let’s make one last stop at a tiny place with a huge collection.

You’ll discover more than 3,000 pencil sharpeners at Paul’s Pencil Sharpener Museum in Logan, Ohio. Paul Johnson started collecting pencil sharpeners, of all things, in 1989. It is then that his wife, Charlotte, bought him two little metal car pencil sharpeners. This fueled an idea and drove Paul to collect a large number and wide variety of pencil sharpeners. When you take a close look at these miniature art forms, you can appreciate the imagination behind the eclectic collection. It is interesting to hear the excitement of people of every age examining the pieces declaring, “Look at this one” or “Found my favorite.” Heck, there’s even a monster sharpener that belches after devouring pencil shavings. Sharpeners take the form of globes, skateboards, people, animals, you-name-it. For more information on this tiny pleasure, click here.

These three little gems of museums aren’t the only places housing unique displays in Ohio. For more, click here.