Allen County Museum

Hot Cocoa History Day: Electricity
2026-01-17 13:00 - 17:00 UTC | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Warm up your winter with Hot Cocoa History Day, a free, family-friendly event celebrating the wonder of electricity!Guests of all ages can:
⚡ Discover how static electricity works through fun, interactive experiments🧲 Build a working electromagnet 🍫 Sip delicious hot cocoa while you explore the science behind everyday technology
It’s the perfect mix of learning, history, and hands-on excitement. Everyone is welcome!

Museum Talk: The Coming of the Civil War
2026-01-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Event Canceled due to weather!

Come hear Ohio Northern University Associate Professor of History Dr. David Strittmatter give a Museum Talk, “The Coming of the Civil War.” The focus of this talk will be on five key events in 1850s America–all related to the status of slavery–that set the country on the path of war. Before visiting the museum’s exhibit, “Threats of Conflict: Echoes of the Civil War,” opening the same day, hear this talk and get caught up on what led the United States to the Civil War.
Museum Talks are always free to all visitors.

Threads of Conflict: Echoes of the Civil War
2026-02-01 13:00 - 2026-06-07 17:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
This exhibit explores how a divided nation faced the realities of war—on the battlefield and at home. Drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, these artifact reveal the personal stores, hardships, and hopes of those whose lives were forever changed by the conflict.

Museum Talk: "The Story of Memorial Hall" presented by Mark Billingsley
2026-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Hear all about how and why Memorial Hall was built in Lima, Ohio. From the idea to how the building actually functioned. Take a step back in history and look through this monumental building that tells so much about Allen County History.

Museum Talks are free to all visitors.

Museum Talk: "Heroes: Sung and Unsung" presented by Karlyn Lauer
2026-03-28 14:00 - 15:00
Heroes: Sung and Unsung will explore the remarkable individuals and everyday citizens of Lima during World War II. Presented by Karlyn Lauer, museum docent, and retired pharmacist. This talk will highlight the industries that kept the war effort moving, the families who sacrificed and persevered, the lively canteen that fed and encouraged traveling servicemembers, and the countless home-front contributions that shaped the community. Together, these stories reveal a city united in purpose, where both celebrated figures and quiet heroes helped win the war.
