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
topinteractive.com/cookehouse/
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 1-Dec 31, 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
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
419.625.3834
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. They include an 1880s Victorian mansion, an 1836 farm home, log homes, barns, a one-room school, general store and more. The village is home to the National Postmark Museum, the Schug Hardware Museum and a gift shop. 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
Gaydos Rd. (off Bayshore Rd.), Johnson’s Island
Nearly 9,000 Confederate soldiers and civilians were once housed at the prison. Visit the cemetery which honors those who remain. Open year-round, daily dawn-dusk.
Johnson’s Island Museum and Information Center
414 W. Main St., Marblehead
johnsonsisland.org
Exhibits include a scale model of the prison and artifacts tracing the history of the area. Memorial Day-Labor Day, Mon-Fri 12-5pm
The Keeper’s House
9999 E. Bayshore Rd., Marblehead
419.798.9339
thekeepershouse.org
Built in 1822, the Keeper’s House was home to Benajah and Rachel Wolcott. It was the residence of the first three lighthouse keepers of 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
441 Catawba Ave., 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 and Oct, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; Jun and 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
Affordable family fun! Ride into history on an antique carousel, enjoy visiting with wood carvers as they create new carousel horses, listen to the familiar music of band organs, take a guided tour and learn about the art and history of carousels. Exhibits change annually. Unique carousel-themed items can be found in the museum gift store. Group tours by appointment. Memorial Day-Labor Day, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm; Sept 7-Dec 30 and Mar-Memorial Day, Wed-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm; Jan-Feb, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm.
Milan Historical Museum
10 Edison Dr. (off SR 113), Milan
419.499.2968
milanhistory.org
Tour one acre of beautiful grounds and gardens along with seven historic buildings. Visit the 1846 Galpin House with a Mowry Glass exhibit, a Doll House with 400 beautiful dolls and the 1843 Sayles House, a restored Victorian home. Explore Milan’s unique canal history. Located one block from Thomas Edison’s Birthplace. May and Sept, Tue-Sun 1-4pm; Jun-Aug, Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-4pm. Group tours welcome by appointment all year.
Ohio Veterans Home Museum
at Ohio Veterans Home, I.F. Mack Bldg.
US 250, 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
Bayview 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 interactive 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 TR 178 (off SR 269 S), Bellevue
419.483.6711
www.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 and Sept-mid-Oct, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm or by appointment.
Sorrowful Mother Shrine
4106 SR 269, Bellevue
419.483.3435
sorrowfulmothershrine.com
The Sorrowful Mother Shrine was established as a place for spiritual pilgrimages to honor the Sorrowful Mother and foster devotion to the Blood of Jesus Christ. As the oldest Marian Shrine in the Midwest, it features 120 acres with Stations of the Cross, Grotto of the Saints, Sorrowful Mother Shrine Chapel, Pieta Outdoor Chapel and Pilgrimage Center.
Open daily dawn-dusk. Mass is 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.
For a copy of the self-guided tour brochure and map, call 800.255.3743.
