Welcome to the Akron Police Museum.

• Tours by appointment only Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Location: (Map It) Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center / Mezzanine Level at 217 South High St. in Akron, Ohio
• Phone: 330-375-2390 (2-3 day notice for group tours is preferred)

The Akron Police 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.

Admission to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is free.

• Open: Thursday – Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm (Closed holidays and between exhibitions)
• Location: (Map It) 110 Sullivant Hall at Ohio State University at 1813 N High St. in Columbus, Ohio
• Phone: 614-292-0538 / Email: cartoons@osu.edu
• Web: http://cartoons.osu.edu/

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum in Columbus at The Ohio State University houses the world’s largest collection of comic strip tear sheets and clippings. It also is home to unique, original art and manuscript materials.

The collection features editorial cartoons, comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, sports cartoons and magazine cartoons. It holds 300,000 original cartoons, 45,000 books, 67,000 serials (including comic books), 3,000 linear feet of manuscript materials and 2.5 million comic strip clippings and newspaper pages

Admission to the Cleveland Police Museum is free.

• Open Wednesday & Thursday from 10am – 2pm, and tours by appointment.
• Location: (Map It) Cleveland Justice Center at 1300 Ontario St. in Cleveland, Ohio
• Phone: 216-623-5055
• Web: click here

Cleveland 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.

Welcome to the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.

• Open Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat from 11am – 4pm.
• Location: (Map It) 605 East 222nd Street in  Euclid, Ohio
• Phone: 216-261-FAME or 866-66POLKA
• Web: http://www.clevelandstyle.com/

The Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame:  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 accordions, 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.

Admission to the Croatian Heritage Museum & Library is free.

• Open Fridays from 12 – 6pm.
• Location: (Map It) 34900 Lakeshore Blvd. in Eastlake, Ohio
• Phone: 440-946-2044
• Web: https://croatianmuseum.com/

The Croatian Heritage Museum & Library represents Croatian-American cultural history and has exhibits promoting appreciation for Croatia descendants. Many traveling collections are also featured at this museum throughout the year.

Admission to the Dittrick Museum of Medical History is free.

• Open (Museum Gallery) Fridays 10am – 4pm, and Saturdays 12pm – 4pm
• Location: (Map It) Third Floor of the Allen Memorial Medical Library at 11000 Euclid Avenue (at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Adelbert Road) in Cleveland, Ohio
• Phone: 216-368-3648
• Web: https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/

The Dittrick Museum of Medical History, on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, 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 1870’s and 1930’s doctors’ offices, 1880’s pharmacy, and hospital medicines from 1865 – 1920.  The museum is also home to the Percy Skuy Collection on the History of Contraception, the world’s most comprehensive collection of historic contraceptive devices.

Admission to the Famous Endings Museum is free.

• Open: Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm
• Location: (Map It) 803 N. Wooster Avenue in Dover, Ohio
• Phone: 330-343-6132
• Web: click here

Famous Endings Museum at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover, Ohio is a collection of more than 2,500 artifacts and pieces from famous funerals. It is considered the largest collection of its kind. View photos, documents, and audio recordings. Every piece has a unique story. And it all started when John Herzig wanted to add Joe Louis’ autograph to his autograph collection. Instead, he received a program for the famous boxer’s funeral. So, being a funeral homeowner, his collecting took a turn.

Admission to the Glass Heritage Gallery in Fostoria is free.

• Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am – 4pm. March hours are Thursday – Saturday 10-3. Closed January and February.
• Location: (Map It) 109 North Main Street in Fostoria, Ohio
• Phone: 419-435-5077
• Web: click here

The Glass Heritage Gallery in Fostoria:  Fostoria had 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.

Admission to Hoover Historical Center is free.

• Tours are hourly at 1pm, 2pm, 3.pm and 4pm Thursday – Saturday from March through October. Advance reservations available for groups of 8 or more and a.m. reservations available Monday – Friday
• Location: (Map It) Walsh University at 1875 East Maple Street in North Canton, Ohio
• Phone: 330-490-7435
• Web: click here

The Hoover Historical Center:  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. These include outdoor storytelling each summer by some of the area’s best storytellers. September features garden tea and unique boutique & garden tours. And the 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.

The Knox County Agricultural Museum (The Ag Museum) is open by appointment only.

• Location: (Map It) 125 Fairgrounds Rd. in Mount Vernon, Ohio
• Phone: 740-398-6617
• Web: http://www.theagmuseum.org/

Knox County Agricultural Museum (The Ag Museum):  This agricultural museum captures Ohio farm-life during the 1800s and early 1900s. It has more than 3,000 pieces exhibited, including household items, farming tools and machinery, a one-room schoolhouse, and a log house.

Admission to the Mansfield Fire Museum is free.

• Open: Mid-May to Mid-October on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location: (Map It) 1265 West Fourth Street in Mansfield, Ohio
• Phone: 419-529-2573
• Web: click here

The Mansfield Fire Museum 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 in time.

The Marietta Soda Museum was formerly known as Butch’s Coca-Cola Museum has closed. It was located in Harmar Village.

The Delphos Museum of Postal History is open Thursday from 1 – 3pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm.

• Location: (Map It) 339 N. Main Street in Delphos, Ohio
• Phone: 419-303-5482
• Web: click here

Delphos 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.

Admission to the Ohio Craft Museum is free.

• Open:  Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday & Sunday 1 – 4pm.
• Location: (Map It) 1665 W. Fifth Ave. in Columbus, Ohio
• Phone: 614-486-4402
• web: http://ohiocraft.org/

The Ohio Craft Museum’s exhibitions feature Contemporary American Crafts Artwork. It includes displays of works created in ceramics, glass, wood, fiber, and metal. Exhibitions feature Contemporary Fine Craft by American artists as well as international artists.

Admission to the Ohio Veterans Home Museum in Sandusky is free (donations accepted).

• Open: Saturday through Wednesday 10:00 A.M. to 4 P.M. or by appointment to individuals, families, and for group tours.
• Location: (Map It) Ohio Veterans Home and I.F. Mack Building at 3416 Columbus Ave. in Sandusky, Ohio
• Phone: 419-625-2454

Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler
by Sandy Zeigler, Travel Journalist

Ohio Veterans Home Museum in Sandusky

Do you know where thousands of Confederate Civil War prisoners were sent? Ohio. Nestled up near Sandusky, Ohio, along with tourist attractions like Cedar Point, Put-in-Bay, Wild Animal Safari, and Wolf Lodge is another special place.  We were shocked when we “happened upon” a cemetery for Confederate prisoners.

Driving in an area about three miles from Sandusky, we came to a small bridge that allowed our entrance onto another area called Johnson’s Island. Curious as to what was on this island, we inserted the mandatory two dollars at the tollgate, which allowed the crossbar to rise, and our entry onto the island was permitted. Continuing for a short distance from the causeway, we spotted a small cemetery. Stopping, we read signs which indicated that this was the location of a former Prison Camp for Confederate soldiers who had been captured during the Civil War. I learned afterward that this was the only camp designated for captured Confederate officers. There were also prisoners held there who were non-commissioned Confederate officers, as well as a few Union soldiers who had been charged with desertion or other war crimes.

During the period of operation from April 1862 through September 1865, about 10,000 prisoners were incarcerated at the POW Camp on Johnson’s Island. In spite of that large number, according to records, only 267 people died. Their deaths were attributed mainly to the harsh Ohio winter weather, food and fuel shortages, and diseases. The many rows of gravestones that we spotted marked the final resting places for 206 of the deceased. Some of the soldiers who died at the prison were taken elsewhere for burial, and it is believed that there are additional graves in this cemetery that are not marked.

As we walked the cemetery and looked at gravestones, we read the deceased soldiers’ names, ranks, company numbers, and their company’s locations, which included the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Our hearts were saddened even more when we came to tombstones that read “Unknown Soldier.”

In May 1890, wooden grave markers were replaced with the current Georgia marble tombstones. Concerned citizens in Georgia raised the necessary money for this to be accomplished.

Besides the gravestones, there are three other monuments in the cemetery. The largest monument, the “Bronze Monument to Confederate Soldiers on Johnson’s Island,” was added to this setting with its dedication in 1910. This very impressive tribute was placed at the rear of the cemetery. Two additional monuments were dedicated on June 21, 2003. These two show additional information concerning those buried in this cemetery.

This sacred burial ground is the only part of the original POW Depot that is open to the public. The area where the actual prison was once located is being excavated for additional clues concerning this Civil War Prison.

In the summer of 2001, the Johnson’s Island Museum was opened in an attempt to publicly share artifacts from the Prison Camp on Johnson’s Island. Because of the lack of space for these materials, the Johnson’s Island artifacts were moved and are currently on display for public viewing in the Ohio Veterans Home Museum in Sandusky, Ohio. This display includes letters and other items from private collections regarding the Civil War POW Depot, information on the attempt to change the island into “Pleasure Resorts,” and the quarrying business that occurred on the island.

The Ohio Veterans Home Museum is located on State Route 250 just before the city limits to Sandusky. The museum is housed in the Isaac Foster Mack Building on the Ohio Veterans Home Grounds. The other archives there are divided into “War Rooms” which include artifacts for each of the different wars and conflicts from the Civil War to present times. The museum is open Saturday through Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. to 4 P.M. or by appointment to individuals, families, and group tours. Group tour reservations can be made by calling 419-625-2454, extension 1447. There is no charge to view the museum, although a donation box is available for those who want to contribute.

Welcome to the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame.

• Location: (Map It) Ohio History Center’s archives at 800 E. 17th Ave. in Columbus, Ohio
• Phone: 614-297-2300 or 800-686-6124
• Web: click here

The Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1978 to honor and publicly recognize the outstanding contributions by Ohio’s women throughout the state’s history. The Hall currently has 365 inductees. It is a very inspirational exhibit for anyone, but especially for women and young ladies. The Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame now resides at the State Archives in the Ohio History Center.

Admission to the Orton Geological Museum is free.

• Open Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Location: (Map It) Orton Hall on Ohio State University’s main campus at 155 S. Oval in Columbus, Ohio
• Phone: 614-292-6896
• Web: click here

The Orton Geological Museum: Some may think of this museum as Ohio’s little Jurassic Park. After all, it features a full-size replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, 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 for groups with prior arrangements.

Welcome to the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum at the Hocking Hills Visitors Center in Logan, Ohio.

• Open: Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Location: (Map It) The Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center is located at 13178 State Route 664 South in Logan, Ohio
• Phone 1-800-HOCKING for more information
• Web: click here

The Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum in Logan, Ohio is a tiny place with a huge collection of over 3,000 pencil sharpeners. It started in 1989 when a gentleman by the name of Paul Johnson received a little gift after recently retiring. His wife, Charlotte, bought him two little metal cars. This fueled an idea that Paul drove to what you see on display today.  The wide variety of pencil sharpeners is amazing. When you take a close look at these miniature art forms, you can appreciate the imagination behind this 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. And they are constructed from just about any material under the sun.

Admission to the Cawley & Peoples Mortuary Museum is free.

• Open: Upon request
• Location: (Map It) 408 Front Street in Marietta, Ohio
• Phone: 740-373-1111
• Web: Click here 

The Cawley & Peoples Mortuary Museum at the Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home in Marietta has a connection to Hollywood. The movie, Get Low, starring Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, and Sissy Spacek featured Bill Peoples 1927 Henney Hearse throughout the film. This famous hearse is on display in a very large old hearse garage for the Cawley and Peoples Funeral Homes along with several other mint-condition classic hearses such as a one-of-a-kind 1938 Packard Hearse and an 1895 Horse-drawn hearse. During your visit, you’ll see fascinating memorabilia from the undertaker’s profession like the reusable ice casket. You’ll also learn where the term basket case came from and why the front room of the home changed from the parlor to the living room.

Admission to The Spirit of ’76 Museum is free.

• Open from April 1 through October 31 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm – 3:30pm
• Location: (Map It) 201 N. Main St. in Wellington, Ohio
• Phone: 440-647-4367
• Web: click here

The Spirit of ’76 Museum celebrates the history of painter Archibald Willard, an 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.

Admission to the James M. Thomas Telephone Museum is free.

• Open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: (Map It) 68 East Main Street in Chillicothe, Ohio  inside the Horizon Chillicothe Telephone Office Building
• Phone: 740-772-8200

James M. Thomas Telephone 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.

Admission to the Tiffin Glass Museum is free.

• Open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 – 4pm
• Location: (Map It) 27 South Washington St. in Tiffin, Ohio
• Phone: 419-448-0200
• Web: http://www.tiffinglass.org/

The Tiffin Glass Museum features over 2,000 pieces of Tiffin glass 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.

Admission to the Toledo Firefighters Museum is free.

• Open on Saturdays from Noon – 4:00 p.m.
• Location: (Map It) 918 Sylvania Avenue in Toledo, Ohio
• Phone: 419-478-3473

The Toledo Firefighters Museum:  This museum will provide its visitors an opportunity to learn about fire safety and experience Toledo firefighting history. It features the uniforms and equipment used by the earliest firefighters as well as vintage pumpers.

Admission to the Ukrainian Museum and Archives is free.

• Open: Tuesday – Saturday from 10am – 3pm or by appointment
• Location: (Map It) 1202 Kenilworth Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio
• Phone: 216-781-4329
• Web: click here

The Ukrainian Museum and Archives in Cleveland:  Ukrainians and others have come from all around to attend events and see the museum and archives dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Ukraine. One of the most popular displays in the museum is the Easter eggs or pysanky. The books and periodical section of the museum’s archives cover a vast range of topics spanning Ukranian prehistory to modern headlines around the world.

Admission to The Newel K. Whitney General Store Museum is free.

• Open Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – Dusk and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. – Dusk
• Location: (Map It) 7800 Kirtland Chardon Rd. in Kirtland, Ohio
• Phone: 440-256-9805

The Newel K. Whitney General Store Museum: This establishment was restored to its 1830 condition. Joseph Smith lived here and began the School of the Prophets in one of the upper rooms. Smith was a religious leader and founded Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was just 24 years old, he published the Book of Mormon. The store features more than a thousand items and replicas of merchandise that lured shoppers more than 150 years ago. Whitney’s General Store was the very first store in the Kirtland region.