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List of museums in Columbus, Ohio facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Columbus, Ohio, is a city full of amazing places to explore, especially its museums! These museums are like giant treasure chests, each holding different kinds of stories, art, and cool facts. The very first museum in the city was the Walcutt Museum, which opened way back in July 1851. It started small with a few wax figures and paintings, but it quickly grew to have many more figures, animal displays, and beautiful oil paintings.

Awesome Museums to Visit Today

Columbus has many fantastic museums that are open right now. They cover everything from art and history to science and sports!

Art and Design Museums

  • Beeler Gallery

This gallery is the main art space for the Columbus College of Art and Design. It shows off cool contemporary art, which means art made in our modern times. It's a great place to see what new artists are creating!

Beeler Gallery and Canzani Center
The modern building of the Beeler Gallery.

Do you love cartoons, comic strips, or graphic novels? Then you'll love this museum! It's located on the Ohio State University campus and has a huge collection of all things cartoon-related. You can see how your favorite characters came to life.

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum
The entrance to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.

This museum in Downtown Columbus is packed with beautiful art from Europe and America. You can see paintings, sculptures, and amazing photographs. It's a wonderful place to discover different art styles and artists.

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The Columbus Museum of Art building.

Found in The Short North area, the Pizzuti Collection shows temporary exhibits of contemporary art. These are often from the personal collection of Ron and Ann Pizzuti, bringing fresh and exciting art to the city.

Pizzuti Collection
The Pizzuti Collection building in The Short North.
  • Riffe Gallery

The Riffe Gallery is special because it highlights artists from Ohio. It also displays collections from other museums and galleries in the state. You can find it in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts Downtown.

Vern Riffe 03
The Vern Riffe Center, home to the Riffe Gallery.

On the Ohio State University campus, the Wexner Center is a hub for contemporary performing and visual arts. It's a place where you can see modern dance, plays, films, and cutting-edge art exhibits.

Wexner Center for the Arts S
The unique architecture of the Wexner Center for the Arts.

History and Culture Museums

  • Central Ohio Fire Museum

Step back in time at the Central Ohio Fire Museum, located in a beautifully restored fire station from 1908. You can learn all about firefighting history and see old fire trucks and equipment.

Central Ohio Fire Museum
The historic Central Ohio Fire Museum.

This society collects and displays historical items and local art from Columbus. It helps tell the story of the city and its people. It's currently in Franklinton and plans to move to Engine House No. 6 soon.

Columbus Historical Society
The Columbus Historical Society building.

Explore what life was like in Victorian times at the Kelton House. This historic house museum also shares the important history of the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.

Kelton House, Columbus, Ohio
The beautiful Kelton House Museum and Garden.

This museum in Downtown Columbus showcases Roman Catholic art and religious artifacts. It's a place to learn about the history and traditions of the Catholic faith through its art.

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The Museum of Catholic Art and History.

This important museum in Franklinton honors the brave men and women who have served in the United States military. It tells their stories and shares the history of military service.

Downtown Columbus, OH
The striking architecture of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

Dive into the history of Ohio at the Ohio History Center, located near the Ohio State Fairgrounds. It has many exhibits that show how Ohio has changed over time, from ancient times to today.

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The Ohio History Center building.

The Ohio Statehouse is not just where the state government works; it also has a museum! The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center teaches visitors about the Statehouse itself, Columbus history, and how the state government operates.

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The grand Ohio Statehouse.

Step into a living history museum at Ohio Village! It's like traveling back to the mid-19th century. You can see what life was like, with people dressed in period costumes and historic buildings. It's a fun way to experience history firsthand.

Ohio village fall 2006
A scene from Ohio Village, showing historic buildings.

This museum is the former home of famous author James Thurber. It's now a literary center where you can learn about his life and works, and enjoy events related to books and writing.

James Thurber House
The historic Thurber House.

Located on the Ohio State University campus, this center features a large collection of Black art and celebrates African American culture. It is currently closed, but it's an important place for cultural understanding.

Front view of the Old Ohio Union, now known as Hale Hall at Ohio State
Hale Hall at Ohio State University.

Science and Nature Museums

COSI is one of the most exciting places in Columbus for kids! It's a science and children's museum in Franklinton with about 300 interactive exhibits. You can touch, play, and experiment to learn about science in a super fun way.

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The impressive COSI building.
  • Museum of Biological Diversity

On the Ohio State University campus, this museum has a teaching collection of many different animal and plant specimens. You can see insects, fish, shells, and more, learning about the amazing variety of life on Earth.

  • Museum of Classical Archaeology

Also at Ohio State University, this museum lets you explore ancient times. It has prehistoric pottery from Cyprus, ancient tools, weapons, examples of old writing, and religious objects from long ago.

Dulles Hall
Dulles Hall, where the Museum of Classical Archaeology is located.
  • Orton Geological Museum

Located in Orton Hall at Ohio State University, this museum is all about geology. You can see rocks, minerals, and fossils from Ohio and from all over the world. It's a great place to learn about Earth's history.

OrtonHall
Orton Hall, home to the Orton Geological Museum.

Special Interest Museums

  • Historic Costume & Textile Collection

If you're interested in fashion and fabrics, this museum on the Ohio State University campus is for you. It has permanent and changing exhibits of historical clothing and textiles in the Snowden Galleries.

Campbell Hall
Campbell Hall, housing the Historic Costume & Textile Collection.

Golf fans will enjoy this museum on the Ohio State University campus. It's all about the life and career of the famous golfer Jack Nicklaus, who is one of the greatest golfers of all time.

  • Ohio Craft Museum

Operated by Ohio Designer Craftsmen, this museum in Fifth by Northwest showcases beautiful fine crafts. You can see amazing handmade items and learn about different craft techniques.

Ohio Craft Museum
The Ohio Craft Museum.

This center in Downtown Columbus teaches visitors about the history, role, and responsibilities of Ohio's court system. It helps you understand how laws and justice work in our state.

Ohio Judicial Center 01
The Ohio Judicial Center.
  • Thompson Library Gallery

At the Ohio State University campus, this gallery in the Thompson Library displays special collections from the university's libraries. You might see rare books, old maps, or unique documents.

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The beautiful Thompson Library at Ohio State University.

Future Museums to Look Forward To

Columbus is always growing, and there are some exciting new museums planned for the future!

This museum will be about the life of Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker, a famous pilot and war hero. It will be located in his historic house in the Driving Park neighborhood.

Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker House 02
The Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker House.
  • Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Museum

Get ready for an aviation adventure! This museum will be all about Ohio's history in air and space. Construction began in 2023 in East Columbus, so it will be opening its doors soon.

Old Port Columbus Airport Control Tower and Terminal, Columbus, OH, US (06)
The historic Old Port Columbus Airport Control Tower and Terminal.
  • Poindexter Village Museum and Cultural Center

This center in King-Lincoln Bronzeville will focus on African American history and culture, preserving the stories and heritage of the Poindexter Village community.

Poindexter Village
A view of Poindexter Village.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Some museums in Columbus have closed their doors over time, but they were once important parts of the city's cultural scene.

  • Heritage Museum

This museum was located in the beautiful Victorian Snowden-Gray House Downtown. It told the history of Kappa Kappa Gamma, a women's organization. The house is now used for events.

530 East Town Street
The historic Snowden-Gray House.

For many years, a replica of Christopher Columbus's ship, the Santa María, was a museum ship Downtown. It was taken apart and is currently waiting to be refurbished.

Santa Maria - 2772222245
The replica of the Santa Maria ship.

See also

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List of museums in Columbus, Ohio Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.