Formerly the Follett House Museum, an icon of Sandusky heritage is celebrating 50 years of preserving and sharing the region’s rich history with a new brand. The museum, which is operated by the Sandusky Library, is part of a whole new look for the library and its affiliates. The new logo and brand for the library system features bold blocks of color representing both a stack of books (brilliant!) and the four service areas the system serves – Sandusky, Perkins Township, Margaretta Township, and Kelleys Island. Additionally, the palette of colors in the new logo is inspired by our coastal region.
The new museum moniker better communicates its role in maintaining the region’s historical artifacts and telling the stories of Sandusky and Erie County’s creation, lifestyle, and industry. The home is named after its original owner, Oran Follett, who was a newspaper editor and railroad executive until his death in 1894. Follett is most known for being the publisher of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Follett’s second wife, Eliza, was known for being a kind a generous soul, a caring nurse, and an ardent helper to those escaping slavery and seeking freedom through Sandusky and into Canada via Lake Erie.
The beautifully preserved Greek Revival home houses collections on each of its four floors, which feature exhibits on fishing, tourism, wartime, education, and the family and organizations which inhabited the building. Visitors can also experience the home’s rooftop Widow’s Walk, which affords spectacular views of downtown Sandusky and 
Sandusky Bay.
On July 1st the museum celebrated the day it was opened 50 years ago by the Sandusky Library after extensive restoration and filling the home with the library’s historical collections and antiques. The public celebration included a dedication and unveiling of a new Ohio Historical Marker on the front lawn.
The limestone building is also listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and is open for summer hours through Labor Day, Wednesday-Saturday from 1-4 pm. After Labor Day guests can visit the museum on Saturdays from 1-4 pm, or anytime by appointment by calling the library. Admission to the museum is free.
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, there's no better time to step back in time and discover the stories that shaped our nation—right here in Sandusky. It's a meaningful stop for anyone looking to connect with America's story on a local level.
