Ohio Open Doors Archives - Page 3 of 16

July 6, 2026

Open Doors at Thorla McKee Oil Well and Narrow-Gauge Railroad

Explore Two Stories That Helped Shape Ohio’s Industrial Past Discover the Thorla-McKee Well, an early Ohio oil and gas site where Silas Thorla and Robert McKee unexpectedly discovered oil and natural gas while drilling for salt brine in 1814. The site represents one of the earliest documented examples of oil production in North America and […]

July 3, 2026

History and Architecture of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church

Explore the oldest Catholic church building still in use in the City of Lorain. Designed by noted Akron architect William P. Ginther and completed in 1915, this Neo-Gothic landmark features soaring arches, American opalescent stained-glass windows, and beautifully carved wooden altars. Knowledgeable guides will be available throughout the church to share its history, architectural features, […]

July 2, 2026

Johnson’s Island Civil War Prison Site Open House & Tours

Explore the Johnson’s Island Civil War Prison and Fort Site through self-guided exploration and guided tours. Interpretive signage and guided experiences help visitors discover one of the nation’s best-preserved Civil War prisoner-of-war landscapes. Learn how archaeologists and historians have reconstructed the layout of the prison compound, including its 15-foot-high stockade, twelve prisoner barracks, hospital, and […]

July 2, 2026

Guernsey County Museum Guided Tours

The public is invited to visit the Guernsey County Museum for guided tours of the historic 199-year-old museum building and its collections. Believed to be the oldest frame house in Cambridge, exhibits include a replica coal mine, an imitation one-room schoolhouse room, and an area dedicated to the county’s military history.

July 2, 2026

Grandparents’ Day and Ohio Open Doors

Celebrate Grandparents’ Day and Ohio Open Doors at Kingwood Center Gardens with free admission all day, 10am-7pm. Learn more about the life and home of Mr. Charles Kelley King as volunteer hosts showcase rooms in Kingwood Hall from 12pm-4pm, including some behind-the-scenes areas. Drop-in for a children’s educational activity between 1-3pm. Explore current restoration work […]

July 1, 2026

Nutt Cottage Research Center Open House

Visit the Nutt Cottage Research Center for a rare opportunity to tour this early 19th-century building, constructed around 1813. Now home to the archives of Centerville-Washington History (CWH), the building houses a collection of local historical records and materials and is typically open by appointment only. Donated to CWH in 2002, the Nutt Cottage continues […]

July 1, 2026

Promont Museum America 250 Open Doors

Have you visited GMAHS’s 1865 Promont Museum lately? Step inside this historic Clermont County home and experience Victorian furnishings and décor throughout the parlors and bedrooms of the former residence of Ohio Governor John Pattison and his family. Explore the home’s interior while learning about its unique features, including an early plan for a third-floor […]

June 30, 2026

Otterbein University Archives Tour at the Courtright Memorial Library

Step behind the scenes at the Otterbein University Archives, located within Courtright Memorial Library, and explore the history of the University and its founding traditions. During this special Ohio Open Doors experience, visitors will have rare access to the archives and learn how Otterbein University’s history connects to our nation’s 250-year story. The program will […]

June 30, 2026

Delaware County Bicentennial Barn Revealed

Step inside the newly renovated Delaware County Bicentennial Barn during Ohio Open Doors. Explore the history of this beautifully restored turn of the 20th century barn, enjoy classic historical games, and snap a fun photo with our Paper Moon display. Discover the stories that make this landmark a treasured part of Delaware County’s heritage.

June 30, 2026

Tour: Secrets of the Westerville Public Library Building

The Westerville Public Library is part of vibrant historic Uptown Westerville and reflects three distinct eras brought together in one site: the 1850s home of Agnes Meyer Driscoll (WWII’s famous codebreaker, “Madam X”), later serving as headquarters of the Anti-Saloon League of America beginning in 1910 a 1955 library building constructed at this location later […]