I like history. I enjoy learning how people used to live, what they ate, how they dressed, and what they did on a daily basis – especially people in my home state. We recently took a trip to the Ohio Historical Society where my kids and I got our fill of the past. The Ohio Historical Society has great displays regarding Ohio’s history and lots of hands-on activities for the kids, and let’s not forget the Ohio Village open from June 2 – September 2. The Ohio Historical Society and Ohio Village are right off I-71 at 17th across from where the Ohio State Fair takes place. Admission is $10/adult, $5/children ages 6 – 12, and ages 5 and under are free.
Our visit took us back in time to when the American Indians flourished in our great state, cooking took place near an open flame, and children did 
their fair share of chores to keep the household in order. The OHS has many displays with an element of kid pizzazz…meaning, children get to touch something. As we all know, children will touch everything they are not supposed to, so why not give them lots they *can* touch? My kids got to pretend to be archeologists by rebuilding a vase used by the American Indians and learn about the tribes that inhabited Ohio. Many displays are behind glass, but you can still get up close to see tiny details. My son’s eyes lit up when he saw steam engines and the water wheels – anything that can roll or turn ignites his interest, and there was plenty of that to view.
We moved on to pioneer living and barely got the kids out of the play area. They were having a ball using the spinning wheel and dressing up. We could have spent hours pretending to live in the Little House in the Big Woods, but the Ohio Village was calling our name. Now, if you are not familiar with the Ohio Village it is a replica of a town in 
Ohio during the mid-1800’s. They have a church (I got married there in 2002), a school house, two homes, a dressmaker, toymaker, a bank, and many other buildings you can explore. Actors are placed at the buildings or walk the town in full 19th century garb, and help give patrons a real feel for what the town would have been like 200 years ago.
The kids enjoyed an interactive hands-on demonstration by a “lady of the house” on how to make biscuits and coffee, and they were put to work doing dishes and the laundry at another household. We dressed up at the dressmakers, played with toys at the toymakers, and tried to ambush the bank at the savings makers (I’m trying here). Our day was full! If you want to spend some time back in time, plan a visit! Also, be sure to peruse the Ohio Historical Society site because there’s lots of fun family ideas, such as: geocaching, have a passport adventure, learn your Ohio family’s geneology, summer camps, and the list goes on!
Ohio Historical Society and Ohio Village
800 E. 17th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211
614-297-2300
If you go:
- The museum is stroller-friendly and the grounds of the Ohio Village, but I would take baby out if you plan to go into the Ohio Village buildings.
- Bathrooms throughout the museum, be sure they use them before heading out to the Ohio Village.
- Pack snacks, lunch, water – I don’t believe they have a cafe and the only thing I saw super close by was a McDonald’s.
- Parking is free.
- Check out their events page because they do lots of fun kid and family-friendly stuff!
