Buckeye Furnace is nestled in a serene, wooded area. It’s so quiet, you can’t even hear cars. I had a hard time imagining the noise and heat that must have characterized the site when the furnace was active.

Because of the gorgeous trees, I’d recommend visiting Buckeye Furnace to catch the fall colors. And you’re in luck–the site is hosting its Fall Festival event on October 4. The event features music, food, vendors, a beard contest for men and a skillet throwing contest for women, as well as many other adult and children’s activities. You can get all the details here.

Address: Buckeye Furnace is located at 123 Buckeye Park Road in Wellston, OH.

How much time: I’d budget 60-90 minutes to explore the museum and walk up the short trail to explore the furnace buildings.

Truda’s Tips: Start your visit in the museum across from the parking lot. There you’ll be able to peruse the exhibits, shop for a souvenir and use the restroom. You’ll also be able to pick up a brochure about the buildings you’ll see around the rest of the site, as well as other informative materials. Additionally, you can talk to the staff who know the site inside and out. Plan to spend some time chatting with them–it will enhance your visit and really bring the site to life.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. You’ll spend most of your time at Buckeye Furnace outside. Even the furnace buildings are open to the elements.

Kid Friendly? For elementary school aged kids and up.: Buckeye Furnace has a lot to offer elementary school aged kids. The museum includes objects they can touch, places to sit down and a GREAT gift shop that features toys, magnets and other fun kid stuff. The path up to the furnace buildings follows a gentle slope and provides a perfect opportunity for running. I think the site would be challenging for very young children and some of the buildings are not stroller friendly. But older kids would have fun exploring the grounds, reading the signs and poking around the furnace buildings.

Lunch: Every good road trip includes a great lunch! Buckeye Furnace has a beautifully shaded picnic area with tables and charcoal grill boxes near the parking lot. I would highly recommend bringing your own lunch. I plan to next time I visit.

If you’d like to eat at a restaurant, there are several in nearby Jackson and Wellston–the Buckeye Furnace staff can give you recommendations. The staff are big fans of the A & A Truck Stop in Jackson for breakfast or a quick lunch.

For more information: To learn more about Buckeye Furnace, you can visit our website or the site’s website. Be sure to note the days and hours of operation. The grounds of Buckeye Furnace are open year-round during daylight hours. However, the museum and gift shop are open May through October.

Want to make a day of it? Buckeye Furnace is located in Jackson County. Discover everything the area has to offer by visiting the Tour Jackson Ohio website.

Ohio History Connection members enjoy free general admission to Buckeye Furnace and the rest of the historic sites and museums in our network. Visit ohiohistory.org/join for more details!