Allen County Museum

Museum Talk: Highlights from Unveiling the Past
2025-10-26 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Join the Allen County Museum staff and volunteers as they dive into the fascinating stories behind their favorite artifacts in Unveiling the Past: Highlights From Our Collection. From the quirky Col-R-Tel Color Converter to the beloved Sandy Horse from the local Bargain Center, discover the surprising, fun, and unique history hidden within the museum’s permanent collection.
Free event!

Museum Talk: Allen County Titans of Industry
2025-11-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
This Museum Talk will focus on some of Allen County’s notable industrial leaders. Hannah Bergstedt, ACM’s Public Engagement and Learning Coordinator, will highlight some of the figures this year’s ACM newsletter has featured. Learn about key figures such as J. W. Van Dyke, Senator Calvin Brice, and Easter Straker.
This event is free for all visitors

53rd Annual Christmas Tree Festival
2025-12-03 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-04 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-05 10:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-07 12:00 - 17:00 | Ohio
The Allen County Museum’s 53rd annual Christmas Tree Festival is Wednesday, December 3, 2025 thru Sunday December 7, 2025 from 10 AM to 5 PM with special hours on Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 12 to 5 PM.
This glorious holiday tradition is a partnership between the Allen County Museum, Allen County Master Gardeners and the Johnny Appleseed Park District. It features more than 100 trees and wreaths decorated by local businesses and organizations. There are plenty of activities, including everyone’s favorite, Evergreen, the Talking Tree. Don’t miss learning about Christmas in Germany in the Childrens Discovery Center either!
Continue the tradition and be sure to bring your family to visit this year’s Christmas Tree Festival!

Hot Cocoa History Day: Electricity
2026-01-17 13:00 - 17:00 | 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 | Ohio
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.
