Roots To Be Proud Of

Sandusky is known for its collection of limestone buildings, including this Greek Revival. The three-story mansion features a ruby and cranberry glass collection, antique furnishings, greenhouse, and souvenirs.  Site managed by the Old House Guild of Sandusky.  To arrange tours for other days or times than listed below in the schedule, please call the site manager, Ed: 419.357.7473.

Schedule: April 19-Oct 28, Weds-Fri 11 am-3 pm; or by appt

Rates: Free; donations accepted

16. Follett House Museum

404 Wayne St.
419.625.3834, sandusky.lib.oh.us

Experience Sandusky's history from before the War of 1812, through the Civil War era, and to the present. Four floors of exhibits include business, industry, Johnson's Island Prison information and artifacts, and more.

Schedule:

• Apr-May, Sat 12-4pm;
• June-Sept 4, Thurs-Sat 12-4 pm;
• Sept 19-Dec, Sat 12-4 pm. Tours by appt after Labor Day.

Rates: Free; donations accepted

17. Maritime Museum of Sandusky

125 Meigs St.
419.624.0274, sanduskymaritime.org

Dive into the rich maritime history of the Sandusky Bay area. Through interactive exhibits and educational programs the whole family can have a boatload of fun learning about ice  harvesting, shipwrecks, boat building, the wetlands, passenger boats, Sandusky's Underground Railroad history, and more. Special events throughout the year.

Schedule:

• Jan-May, Fri-Sun 10 am-4 pm;
• June-Aug, Tues-Sun 10 am-4 pm;
• Sept-Dec, Fri-Sun 10 am-4 pm.
• Closed major holidays.

Rates:

• Adult: $8,
• Senior (60 yrs. and older),
• Child (4-12 yrs.): $7.
• Family and group rates available.

18. Merry-Go-Round Museum

301 Jackson St. (off US 6)
419.626.6111, merrygoroundmuseum.org

Enjoy the sights and sounds of yesterday at the Merry-Go-Round Museum! Take a carousel ride, hear the happiest music on earth, and watch wood carvers create new carousel animals. Accessible.

Schedule:

• Feb, Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm;
• Mar-May, Wed-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm;
• Memorial Day-Labor Day, Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm;
• Sept-Dec, Wed-Sat 11 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm

Rates:

• Adult: $8,
• Senior (60 yrs. and older): $7,
• Child (4-14 yrs.): $6

Vermilion

19. Vermilion History Museum

727 Grand St.
440.967.4555, facebook.com/VermilionNewsPrintShopMuseum

From 1905-1964, a weekly newspaper was composed and printed here. All types of books, magazines, and signs were printed with its presses which are still on display today Vermilion photographs and original printed materials, two small linotypes, and four-letter presses are also on display.

Schedule:

• Year-round; Mon-Sat 11 am-2 pm.
• Other times by appt.

Rates:

• Adult: $5,
• Senior/Veteran: $4,
• Child (10 yrs. and under): Free.
• Group rates available.

Bellevue

20. Historic Lyme Village

5001 SR 4 (south of SR 113)
419.483.4949, lymevillage.org

Experience the past as you tour the 16 buildings of this 19th century village. Tours include an 1880s 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. Located four miles south of Ohio Turnpike (I-80/90) exit 110.

Schedule:

• June-Aug, Wed-Sat 11 am-5 pm (last tour at 4pm).
• Special events scheduled throughout the year.

Rates:

• Adult: $15
• Senior (60 yrs. and older): $13,
• Child (6-12 yrs.): $6,
• Child (5 yrs. and under): Free.
• Groups (12 or more): $12 each (with a week’s notice)

21. Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum

253 Southwest St.
419.483.2222, madrivermuseum.org

Opened in 1976, the Mad River and NKP Railroad Museum is a lasting bicentennial project and a tribute to the transportation industry that helped to mold our country. Ohio’s largest railroad museum showcases several engines, buildings, freight and passenger cars, and cabooses. Many of the cars are filled with displays that await you.

Schedule:

• Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily 12-4 pm;
• May, Sept, Oct, Sat-Sun 12-4 pm

Rates:

• Adult (13 yrs and older): $10,
• Senior (60 yrs. and older): $9,
• Child (6-12 yrs): $5,
• Child (5 yrs. and under): Free

Fremont

22. Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums

Spiegel Grove
419.332.2081, 800.998.7737, rbhayes.org

Visit Spiegel Grove, the wooded estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes, home of America's first presidential library. Tour the president's 31-room Victorian mansion, see his tomb, visit the newly-renovated museum, explore the library, and walk the mile of paved trails.

Schedule:

• Apr-Sept, Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5pm;
• Sept-Apr, Tues, Thurs-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm.
• Closed major holidays.

Rates:

Site Pass (Home and Museum):

• Adult: $20;
• Senior (65 yrs. and older),
• Military, and AAA: $18;
• Teen (13-18 yrs.): $10;
• Child (6-12 yrs.): $5. 

One-Day Museum-only:

• Adult: $13

Norwalk

23. Firelands Historical Society Complex

4 Case Ave. (off SR 61)
419.668.6038, firelandsmuseum.com

Ohio's oldest museum features 200 yrs. of Firelands history, including an extensive gun collection from Pre-Revolutionary War through WWII and a Native American collection. Separate research library available by appt.

Schedule:

• Jun-Aug Thurs-Sun 11 am-3 pm;
• Sept-Oct, Sat-Sun 11 am-3 pm

Rates:

• Adult: $5,
• Senior: $4,
• Youth (13-18 yrs.): $3,
• Child (12 yrs. and under): Free

Other Resources:

24. Erie County Historical Society

eriecountyohiohistory.org

Features several historic walking tours including Underground Railroad (Sandusky), Downtown Sandusky, Milan, Vermilion Sea Captains, Downtown Vermilion, Kelleys Island, and more. Each is accessible through the website and functions on mobile devices and PCs. Use the website to also find more than 60 historical markers, including a photo and location/directions. See website for dates of special events.

Schedule:  Year-round

Rates:

• Free.
• Some guided tours require a fee; see website for details.

25. Underground Railroad Self-Guided Tour

Because of its location on Lake Erie, the number of railroad lines, the Huron and Vermilion rivers, and the Milan Canal, Erie County was a leading Great Lakes Port and a major terminal on the Underground Railroad. Since historic records on this topic are rare and many sites have been destroyed, only a few of the remaining sites and people influential in his movement have been highlighted in a brochure that offers a narrative as you take the self-driving tour throughout Erie County. Brochures and maps can be obtained from the Shores & Islands Ohio welcome centers. Call 800.255.3743 or 800.441.1271 to request a copy.