Ohio's Lake Erie Shores & Islands : Historic Sites : Historic Sites

WHAT TO DO > ACTIVITIES > HISTORIC

Edison Birthplace 9 Edison Dr. (off SR 113), Milan 419.499.2135 tomedison.org Visit Thomas Edison’s 1847 birthplace. Tour his boyhood home and see displays of some of his accomplishments as the world’s greatest inventor. Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Tue-Sun 1-5pm; Jun-Aug, Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm; Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec, Wed-Sun 1-4pm. Closed Jan and major holidays.
Eleutheros Cooke House 1415 Columbus Ave., Sandusky 419.627.0640 Sandusky is known for its collection of limestone buildings, including this Greek Revival. It includes a ruby and cranberry glass collection, antique furnishings, garden, greenhouse and gift shop. Apr-Dec, Tue-Fri 12-3pm, Sat 10am-1pm. Elmore Depot and Mattie Heckman Log House Rice St., Elmore 419.862.2775 Built in the 1870's, this log home depicts pioneer life in the Firelands area. Open by appointment only.
Firelands Historical Society Museum 4 Case Ave. (off SR 61), Norwalk 419.668.6038 or 419.663.1847 (Tours) Ohio’s oldest museum, located in an 1836 home. Eclectic collections feature 200 years of Firelands history, including an extensive gun collection from pre-Revolutionary War through WWII. Separate research library available. Jun-Aug, Tue-Sat 10am-3pm, Sun 12-4pm; May and Sept-Oct, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun 12-4pm; by appointment Nov-Apr.
Follett House Museum 404 Wayne St. (off US 6), Sandusky 419.627.9608 sandusky.lib.oh.us Discover Sandusky’s past! Sandusky Library’s local history museum, with four floors of exhibits featuring Johnson’s Island Civil War Prison Camp, Cedar Point and many other artifacts that shaped local life. Apr and Oct-Dec, Sat 12-4pm, Sun 1-4pm; May and Sept, Sat 10am-1pm; Jun-Aug, Wed and Fri 12-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm; Jan-Mar by appointment only.
Glacial Grooves Kelleys Island The magnificent grooves of Kelleys Island are the largest in the world, and were caused as Pleistocene Glaciers moved south carving out the relatively soft island limestone. Embedded and very visible throughout the limestone is a marvelous fossil record of marine invertebrate animals, which lived on the floor of the Devonian Sea millions of years ago. Perimeter viewing of the grooves is available.
Historic Lyme Village 5001 SR 4 (south of SR 113), Bellevue 419.483.4949 lymevillage.com Live the past as you tour the sixteen buildings of this 19th century village. Tours include an 1880's Victorian Mansion, an 1836 farm home, log homes, barns, a one-room school, a general store and more. The Museum Gift Shop is located in the Visitors Center. Jun-Aug, Tue-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm; Sept-Oct, Sun 12-4pm.
Inland Seas Maritime Museum 480 Main St. (off US 6), Vermilion 440.967.3467 or 800.893.1485 inlandseas.org Experience the history of the Great Lakes through interactive and hands-on exhibits, ship models, maritime art and an authentic 1910 steamship pilothouse. Explore shipwrecks, steam engines, original timbers from the Niagara and models of Great Lakes vessels. Nautical gift shop does not require admission. May-Aug, daily 10am-5pm; Sept-Apr, weekdays 11am-4pm, weekends 10am-5pm; closed major holidays.
Johnson’s Island Confederate Officers Prison Cemetery & Museum Gaydos Rd. (off Bayshore Rd.), Marblehead johnsonsisland.org 9,000 Confederate soldiers were once housed at the prison. Over 200 graves mark the site. Open year-round, daily dawn-dusk. The museum in downtown Marblehead features a scale model of the prison and many artifacts. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, weekends and holidays, 1-5pm.
The Keeper’s House 9999 E. Bayshore Rd., Marblehead 419.798.9339 thekeepershouse.org Built in 1822, this historic house was home to Benajah and Rachel Wolcott. It was the residence of the first three lighthouse keepers for the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. This house was built by the same stone mason who built the Marblehead Lighthouse. Jun 1-Sept 1, Mon-Sat 1-5pm. Check online for additional hours.
Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum 25 Town Hall Pl., Put-in-Bay 419.285.2804 leihs.org Displays include over 65 ship models; the South Bass Island Lighthouse Fresnel lens; and artifacts from the Battle of Lake Erie, island life, and the Ford Tri-Motor and great hotel eras. There is a theatre, research library and bookstore. May & Oct, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; Jun & Sept, daily 11am-5pm; Jul-Aug, daily 10am-6pm.
Maritime Museum of Sandusky 125 Meigs St., Sandusky 419.624.0274 sanduskymaritime.org This museum interprets the maritime history of the area including boat building, recreational boating, passenger boats, shipwrecks, wetlands, commercial shipping, fishing and the boats of Sandusky’s Underground Railroad through interactive exhibits and educational programs. Jun-Aug, Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm; Sept-May, Fri-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm. Closed major holidays.
Merry-Go-Round Museum 301 Jackson St. (at US 6), Sandusky 419.626.6111 merrygoroundmuseum.org Family fun at the Merry-Go-Round Museum! Kids and kids at heart can ride the antique carousel and watch woodcarvers breathe life into new horses, while learning the history of carousels and carousel art. Memorial Day-Labor Day, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm; Sept -Dec, Wed-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm.
Milan Historical Museum 10 Edison Dr. (off SR 113), Milan 419.499.2968 milanhistory.org Visit a National Trust for Historic Preservation Distinctive Destination! The Milan Historical Museum offers an excursion into the past with new, interactive exhibits for children and adults. Come and explore history. May & Sept, Tue-Sun 1-5pm; Jun-Aug, Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm; Oct, Sat-Sun 1-5pm; other times by appointment. Group tours welcome.
Ohio Veterans Home Museum at Ohio Veterans Home, I.F. Mack Bldg. 3416 Columbus Ave., Sandusky 419.625.2454 ext 1447 Military history museum featuring memorabilia from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam and The War on Terrorism (Iraq and Afghanistan). There is also an exhibit on Johnson’s Island and its role in the Civil War. No admission fee. Year-round, Sat-Wed 10am-4pm.
Ottawa County Historical Museum 126 W. Third St., Port Clinton 419.732.2237 Learn about early fishing industries, fruit-growing , and maritime legends by visiting this museum. Call for hours. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial 93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay 419.285.2184 nps.gov/pevi A 352 foot tall memorial commemorating Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory over the British during the War of 1812. Stop in the visitors center with displays, video theater and gift shop.
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Spiegel Grove (at Hayes and Buckland Aves.) Fremont 419.332.2081 or 800.998.PRES (7737) rbhayes.org The White House’s original gates mark the entrance to the nation’s FIRST presidential center. Visit the 31-room mansion, 3-story Museum/Library and tomb of 19th President Rutherford B. Hayes. On exhibit are original family furnishings and Civil War and 19th century artifacts. Year-round, Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun and Federal holidays 12-5pm. Closed major holidays.
Seneca Caverns -Registered Natural Landmark 15248 E. TR 178 (off SR 269 S), Bellevue 419.483.6711 senecacavernsohio.com Go caving at The Caviest Cave! Walk natural stone steps and pathways through The Earth Crack. Be amazed by Ole Mist’ry River. Shop Hollowrock Gifts for minerals, nature books, apparel and other fine gifts. Pan for gemstones at Seneca Mining Company. Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily 9am-7pm; May & Sept-mid-Oct, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm or by appointment. Sorrowful Mother Shrine 4106 SR 269, Bellevue 419.483.3435 sorrowfulmothershrine.com A place of pilgrimage since 1850 in honor of Sorrowful Mother Mary. Daily Mass, devotions, events and forty points of interest including a historical and outdoor chapel, 120 acres of woodlands and pilgrimage center. Open daily dawn-dusk; Mass every day at 11am, plus Sat at 4pm and Sun at 9am; gift shop open year-round and cafeteria open May-Oct.
Tiffin Glass Museum and Shoppe 25-27 S. Washington St., Tiffin 419.448.0200 tiffinglass.org Offers tours and retail sales of Tiffin Glass and other fine glassware and collectibles. See a display of original Tiffin Glass produced at the Tiffin Glass Factory from 1889-1980. Open year-round, Tue-Sat 1-5pm; other times by appointment. Closed major holidays.
Underground Railroad Tour 800.255.3743 Because of its location on Lake Erie, this area was a leading Great Lakes port and a major terminal on the Underground Railroad. Since documented historic records on this topic are rare and many sites have been destroyed, only a few of the remaining sites and people influential in the local movement have been highlighted in a brochure. Call for a free copy of the self-guided brochure and map.