Membership

One membership, 50+ adventures!

With 50+ historic sites and museums across Ohio, an Ohio History Connection membership is your personal passport to history. We make daytrips and weekend adventures affordable and fun! From the Great Lakes to the Ohio River and everywhere in between, you'll always find something new to learn and explore. And don't forget-memberships make GREAT gifts!

Our Traveler's Guide is a great resource for planning your next road trip!

Questions about membership? Check out our FAQ, call us at 800.686.1545 or send us a message by visiting our Contact Us page and selecting "Membership" from the drop-down menu.

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Reciprocal Benefits

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Echoes Magazine

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Discounts

Membership Benefits

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Membership Levels and BenefitsIndividual+Guest
$50
Duo
$55
Household
$70
Plus
$95
Premium
$160
Number of named members/membership cards12222
Includes children 18 and under in member’s household or member’s grandchildren
Unnamed Guests
(free general admission or special event discounts)
10022
Free admission to Ohio History Center and 50+ sites
Reciprocal admission benefit at over 300 museums nationwide through the Time Travelers program*
Reciprocal admission benefits at select Central Ohio attractions through Columbus Member Advantage program*
Reciprocal benefits at more than 1,000 museums nationwide with North American Reciprocal Museum program (NARM)*
Discounted tickets for special events and programs**
Free tickets to Ohio History Center & Ohio Village Signature Events**
Member-only events
Pre-sale tickets and early entry at popular events
Complimentary genealogy resources (Contact the Membership Department for more information)
Two tickets to annual Statehood Day advocacy event and luncheon
Discounts on most purchases made online, at the Ohio History Center & Ohio Village and at participating sites
10% off wedding and private event space rental
Smithsonian Affiliate Membership (one year subscription to Smithsonian Magazine and additional Smithsonian discounts and opportunities)
Bi-monthly Echoes Magazine and weekly e-news
Vote in Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees election (one vote per membership)
Benefits are tax deductible***YesYesYesYesNo

*For details on reciprocal benefits visit our Reciprocal Benefits page. Discounts vary by location. Please call ahead to confirm discount.
**Our 3 Signature Events are all held at the Ohio History Center & Ohio Village in Columbus and include Night at the Museum, our Holiday-themed event in December and our Halloween-themed event in October. Discount applies to tickets covered by membership in the same time block on the same date. When purchasing event tickets online, select child tickets for all children ages 4–18. Tickets must be reserved in advance.
***Please consult with a tax advisor for individual applicability.

User Registration

As of July 2017, the Ohio History Connection is using a new online purchasing system for membership and event tickets.

Please check the box next to “register for our web site” during the check-out process to create your online account. The next time you visit our website to purchase tickets or renew your membership, simply sign in first to access member discounts and pre-populate forms with your contact information.

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Please contact the membership office and we will send you a link. If you already have an online account but have not used it since July 2017, you will need to create a new online account.

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Please sign in before you complete your renewal. This online purchasing system does not differentiate between new and renewing members, but your purchase will be processed as a renewal. By signing in, your information will pre-populate and help us make sure we maintain your membership history.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Managing Your Membership Record

How do I renew my membership?

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Approximately two months before your membership expires, you will receive a renewal notice. You may return the notice with payment by mail or renew your membership online. You can also renew in person at many of our 50+ historic sites and museums or call the membership office at 800.686.1545.

For online renewals please note: Our online system does not ask for a Member ID #. The transaction uses the name, address, phone number and email address provided during check out to connect to your existing membership record and renews the membership. If you have previously created an online account, you can sign in prior to your purchase however it is not required. If you have not created an online account and you wish to do so you can check the box next to "Register for our website" right before check out.

If you have moved since your last renewal, please call 800.686.1545 or email [email protected] so we can update our records!

Online Account

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You will need to register for an online account to access your member discounts on event tickets and to RSVP for member events online. Signing in before you renew your membership will also help us make sure we maintain your membership history.

If you need assistance with creating your online account, please contact the membership office.

Don't forget that you can always purchase event tickets through our reservations office at 800.686.1541 and RSVP for members events through the membership office at 800.686.1545 or by sending us a message by visiting our "Contact Us" page and selecting "Membership" from the drop down menu.

I opted in for auto renewal of my membership. How do I opt out?

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If you opted in to auto renew your membership via your credit card and you no longer want that option, simply contact the Membership Department at 800.686.1545 or [email protected] so we can update our records. Cards are charged on the day of the membership expiration date. For example, if your membership expires on 1/31/2023, your card will be charged for the next year's membership on 1/31/2023.

What if I receive another renewal notice after I have sent in my payment?

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Please disregard the notice. Sometimes your payment and a reminder notice will cross in the mail.

How do I change my address or correct a misspelled name?

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You can send us an e-mail with your name, member number, former address, new address and any other changes. Your information will be updated within 3 business days.

I filed a change of address form with the Post Office when I moved. Do I still need to send you my new address?

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We receive address updates from the Post Office approximately every three months. To ensure you receive all your membership materials, please contact us with your new address shortly before you move.

General

I need help registering for an event.

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Need help registering for an event and receiving your member discount? Click here for a step-by-step guide.

Can I give membership as a gift?

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Yes, gift memberships are available for birthdays, graduation, holidays, or any other occasion. You can register friends, family, or associates for a gift membership on your renewal notice or application, by calling the Membership Office, or online. When purchasing a gift membership online, be sure to check the box that indicates "This membership is a gift" that appears just above the line where you provide the first name of the member.

I'm using Ohio ACE funds to pay for my membership. How does that work?

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Ohio ACE families are able to be reimbursed for the purchase of a Household level Ohio History Connection membership. This membership costs $70. Be sure to save your receipt to submit for reimbursement with your Ohio ACE funds. Need more info about the program? Visit aceohio.org.

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My organization or business would like to join. How do we do that?

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We have many businesses and organizations that join the Ohio History Connection. However, because of system limitations, business and organization memberships cannot be completed online. Please give us a call at 800.686.1545 to talk about your options and purchase your membership over the phone. We're happy to help!

Can I purchase memberships in bulk for my staff, team or other group?

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Yes! Contact Truda Shinker, Membership Manager, at [email protected] or 614.297.2334 to discuss pricing, processing time and other details.

How do I donate money to Ohio History Connection?

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We accept monetary donations online, by mail, and over the phone. Please visit our donations web page for more information.

How do I donate items to Ohio History Connection?

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For information on how to donate historical items such as books, manuscripts, audiovisuals or artifacts, please visit our Collections Registrar page.

What are your hours?

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Our museums' hours vary by site, season and weather conditions. Please visit our Historic Sites page to get contact information. We always advise that you call ahead to get up to the minute information about operating hours and event details. You may also contact Ohio History Connection by calling 614.297.2300 or 800.686.6124.

Still Have Questions?

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Feel free to contact us at 614.297.2332, 800.686.1545 or [email protected].

Benefits

Will I ever pay for admission at an Ohio History Connection site?

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Your membership includes free regular admission at all of our sites. Discounts for events can vary, so Ohio History Connection members may be asked to pay admission or purchase tickets for special events and activities. If you are unsure if an event is included with regular admission or if there will be an additional charge, contact the historic site directly or contact the membership office.

If I purchase a new membership online, can I begin taking advantage of my membership benefits right away?

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Yes! After you make your online membership purchase, you will automatically receive an email receipt. Present that receipt at any Ohio History Connection site to receive the admission benefit for your membership category.

If you don't see this email, be sure to check your junk or spam folder--these automatic emails are often routed there. If you still don't see the email, contact the membership office at [email protected] or 800.686.1545 for assistance.

I’m a Premium Member and want to reserve my free Signature Event tickets. How do I do that?

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As a Premium member, you are eligible for free tickets to our three Ohio History Center & Ohio Village Signature Events. Your tickets must be reserved in advance, either online at ohiohistory.org, over the phone at 800.686.6124 or in person at the Ohio History Connection front desk. Your tickets must all be in the same time block on the same date. Your Premium membership covers the two named adults on your membership, two guests and all the children and grandchildren 18 and under in your household. If you need additional tickets, you’ll be charged the regular member rate.

My family uses a caregiver or aide. What are my admission options with my membership?

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Our member families that use a caregiver or aide have the following daily admission options when visiting the Ohio History Center & Ohio Village without the named member present:

Household membership: 

Dependents admitted free with paid admission for caregiver/aide

Membership card must be present

Plus/Premium membership: 

Dependents admitted free

One (1) caregiver/aide admitted free

Membership card must be present

This policy covers general admission (not group admission) only. For events with special ticketing (for example, Night at the Museum), we are happy to offer the member discount rate to your caregiver or aide. Please call our Reservations Office at 614.297.2663 to purchase your tickets.

If you’re planning to visit one of our 50+ sites, please call the site directly to verify admission prices and policies.

How do I use my 10% shopping discount at the online Ohio History Store?

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Enter the membership coupon code into the box on the online shopping cart, prior to clicking the Checkout button. To obtain the coupon code, please contact the Membership Office at 800.686.1545 or [email protected].

Why doesn't my member discount show up on my online ticket purchase?

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To access your membership discount you must first register for an online account and then sign in. If you have registered directly from the ticket page rather than through the personalized link we periodically send to set up your registration, it is possible that the system generated a duplicate record and does not recognize that you are a member. If you believe this to be the case, please send us an email and we will connect your user ID to your membership.

Once you are signed in, please note that the member price shows up as a discount on eligible tickets rather than a separate member price. This discount does not appear until AFTER you click "add to cart."

Credentials

I just mailed my membership application/renewal form and payment. When can I expect to receive my new membership cards?

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New members will receive an introductory membership packet and card(s) in 2-3 weeks. Renewing members will receive updated membership cards in 2-3 weeks, as well.

What do I do if I need a replacement membership card?

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Contact the Membership Office to request a replacement card.

Upcoming Exhibits & Events