Renovation Updates

We are making progress every day on our Ohio Village renovations, right here at the Ohio History Center campus, 800 E. 17th Ave. in Columbus. The Village is being enhanced to include new amenities, interpretive experiences, and infrastructure improvements as part of our ongoing Campus 2.OH initiative.

We plan to open Ohio Village during the 2026 Ohio State Fair so you can see what changes have been made—and those still to come!

Stay tuned for more details on that special preview and monthly progress updates on the construction and renovations.

What is Campus 2.OH?

Campus 2.OH is a multi-phased revitalization initiative led by the Ohio History Connection to transform its Columbus campus—including the Ohio History Center, Ohio Village, and Collections Care Center—into a modern, accessible, and engaging destination for the next 50 years.

Ohio History Center (built in 1970): Will undergo major upgrades to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, data, and security systems. Exterior rehabilitation is also planned to prevent structural damage. A master plan is being developed to improve the museum experience and increase visitation.

Ohio Village (opened in 1974): The 8.5-acre site will evolve from a living history museum into a hub for education, leisure, and accessibility.

Timeline and Milestones

The project spans multiple years with distinct phases:

2023–2024: Planning, master plan development, and early enabling projects.

2025:

Capital funds for Phase 1 secured ($22 million).

Design development underway with Schooley Caldwell as the A/E firm and Continental as the Construction Manager at Risk

Pharmacy interior refresh and boardwalk removal in Ohio Village

Ceremonial groundbreaking was September 18, 2025

2026–2028:  Construction and implementation of upgrades across Ohio Village and History Center, including infrastructure, gallery updates, and accessibility improvements

Community Engagement and Feedback

Community Feedback Sessions are planned for late spring and summer 2026 to shape interpretive experiences and programming

Our test gallery, Village Visions, opened in October 2025 at Gallery 4 in the History Center to trial new visitor experiences

Check out construction photos, conceptual renderings and drone footage of the Ohio Village renovation project!

For a bigger sneak peak, check out our playlist to see all video updates, including from the Ohio Village groundbreaking.