The National Road and Zane Grey Museum in Norwich explores the history of the National Road and novelist Zane Grey. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

February is a month that celebrates history, including the contributions of Black Americans and U.S. presidents. This month is a great time to explore what Ohio has to offer in its state-sponsored museums and historic sites.

Ohio has a huge variety of museums and historic sites to offer history buffs, students, homeschoolers and anyone who would like to learn more about our state’s history. Visiting a museum is also an excellent way to spend an educational and worthwhile winter day when it’s cold outside.

According to Ohiohistory.org, there are more than 50 historical sites and museums operated by or in partnership with the State of Ohio.

The list in Dusty Tires focuses on these state-run museums and does not include sites operated by private owners or non-profit organizations or those run solely by federal, county or municipal entities.

Here are a few of them. Go to Ohio Historical Museums in Dusty Tires to see the entire list.

Adena Mansion & Gardens – The stately 1807 hilltop home and gardens of Thomas Worthington, Ohio’s sixth governor and one of Ohio’s first U.S. senators. 847 Adena Road, Chillicothe (800) 319-7248.

Campus Martius Museum – Learn about Campus Martius, a civilian stockade built in 1788 as the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory. 601 Second St., Marietta (800) 860-3750.

Hanby House – Tour the family home of composer Benjamin Hanby (1833–1867), who wrote “Up on the Housetop” and “Darling Nelly Gray.” 160 W. Main St., Westerville (800) 600-6843.

Harriet Beecher Stowe House – Visit the Cincinnati home where Harriet Beecher Stowe, later author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin lived from 1832–1836, and discover its history as the Edgemont Inn listed in the Green Book. 2950 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati (800) 847-6507.

John & Annie Glenn House – Tour the childhood home of Astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn and learn about small-town life during the Great Depression and World War II. 72 W. Main St., New Concord (740) 826-3305.

National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center – The museum is the permanent home of one of the nation’s largest collections of Afro-American materials, with over 9,000 artifacts and artwork, 350 manuscript collections, and thousands of photographs. 1350 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce (800) 752-2603.

National Road and Zane Grey Museum – Explore the story of the National Road, early America’s busiest route West, and learn about locally-born author of Western novels Zane Grey. 8850 East Pike, Norwich (800) 752-2602.

Paul Lawrence Dunbar House – Restored home of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906), acclaimed writer, poet and voice for equality for African Americans. 219 N. Paul Lawrence Dunbar St., Dayton (800) 860-0148.

Zoar Village – Explore a one-of-a-kind village, home from 1819 to 1898 of a communal society of German religious dissenters. 198 Main St., Zoar (800) 262-6195.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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