We are excited to announce that the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus will be offering increased hours and free parking beginning July 1! Now you have more time to check out our Civil War collections!

“We did this for you guys,” said Burt Logan, OHS executive director and CEO. “We knew our Civil War 150 fans wanted more opportunities to see our really rad Civil War collections.” Please note that our Director did not say this…but we know he was thinking it.

The Center’s interior is also going to be changing soon. There is an ongoing initiative to change focus of the museum and archives/library into a collections learning center. What does this mean, you ask? This means that over the next several months, you’ll be able to see more collections on view than ever before.

Studies have shown that the public wants easier access to our collections, more opportunities for hands-on experiences, and more online history. As planning continues for the collections learning center project, the new hours will allow for increased public input into exhibit and educational concepts being considered. Testing with visitors will begin later in the summer and results will have a significant role in shaping what people can see and do at the Ohio Historical Center in the future. Read the full press release to learn more.

The new hours will be:

Thursdays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. -5 p.m.

Museum admission will remain the same: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (60+), $4 for youths (6-12) and free for children (5 and under) and Ohio Historical Society members. There is no admission fee to the archives/library and historic preservation office.

Did You Know? The Ohio Historical Center has tons of exciting Civil War artifacts!

On display:

• Ohio regiment battle flags.
• A drum used by Frank M. Bayless, 15 year old drummer boy of the 74th OVVI, Company D.
• Sewing kit or “Housewife” carried by Private Benjamin Kahler, 76th OVI, Company K.
• A Ketchum hand grenade.   These grenades were the most common hand grenade used by the Union armies.   Grenades were used the most during siege campaigns like those at Vicksburg, Mississippi and Petersburg, Virginia.
• Battle log from the Chickamauga, Georgia, battlefield.
• A ring   made from a piece of Sgt. Peter Heckert’s left leg bone. He was wounded at Jackson, Mississippi on July 11, 1863 while serving with the 120th OVI Company F.
• And more!

Archives/Library:

• Newly acquired Ohio Civil War muster and pay rolls. Staff are currently working on adding the names to our public databases.
• Photographs and letters from Camp Chase and Johnson’s Island.
• Letters from prisoners in Camp Chase, Johnson’s Island and Andersonville.
• Journal from surgeon at Camp Chase hospital.
• Grant and Sherman papers.
• Maps from Battlefield Commission Reports including Shiloh and Chickamauga.
• Books containing Ohio regiment history and individual records.
• And much more!

What’s your favorite Civil War artifact at the Ohio Historical Center?