List of museums in Columbus, Ohio facts for kids
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.
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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!
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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 Judicial Center Visitor Education Center
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.
- 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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Future Museums to Look Forward To
Columbus is always growing, and there are some exciting new museums planned for the future!
- Eddie Rickenbacker and Driving Park Museum
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.
- 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.
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This center in King-Lincoln Bronzeville will focus on African American history and culture, preserving the stories and heritage of the Poindexter Village community.
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.
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.
See also
- List of museums in Ohio for other museums in Franklin County and the rest of the state
- List of museums in Cincinnati
- List of museums in Cleveland
