Allen County Museum

Museum Talk: The Legacy of Ohio Presidents Presented by Dr. Christine Fowler Shearer
2026-05-30 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Executive Director Christine Fowler Shearer examines the legacy of the Ohio Presidents and their national impact. Gain insight into Ohio’s remarkable contribution to American leadership. Learn more about Presidents William Henry Harrison, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, McKinley, Taft, and Harding.

Museum Talks are free for all visitors to attend.

Museum Talk: A Lasting Love: Art & Railroads Presented by Arnold Tunstall
2026-06-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Curator Arnold Tunstall explores the enduring romance of railroad imagery in art in connection with The Rail Legacy. A thoughtful look at how railroads captured the American imagery.

All Museum Talks are free for visitors to attend.

The Rail Legacy: Voices, Images, Artifacts
2026-06-28 15:00 - 2026-11-16 17:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Weaving together the human and industrial story of the rails, this exhibit highlights how the railroad built commuities and connected a nation. Featuring historic photographs, artistic responses, and autentic relics of the railroad life, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how the rhythm of the rails continues to echo today.

Life in America: 1940s Day 1
2026-07-24 11:30 - 16:30 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Your Mission:

Rationing & Retail: Step into our General Store! You’ll start by making your own ration books, then use your stamps to “shop” for essentials while learning how families managed during wartime shortages.

Playtime in the 40s: Discover the toys and board games that kept kids entertained long before video games! From classic wooden toys to popular 1940s tabletop games, see what “fun” looked like 80 years ago.

Dig for Victory: Roll up your sleeves at our Victory Garden. Learn how families during the war grew their own “superfoods” and take home tips on how to start your own backyard plot.

At Your Service: Visit our Servicemen’s Canteen. While we aren’t serving rations today, you can experience the atmosphere where soldiers gathered for music, morale, and a bit of home-front hospitality.

Meet the Past: Rub elbows with Historic Reenactors in full 1940s gear. Ask them about life during the war, see their equipment, and hear stories of bravery and everyday life from 80 years ago.

Plus, so much more to experience and engage with!

No registration required and free for all visitors, bring your sense of adventure! For more information, visit us at https://allencountymuseum.org/ or report to the Museum Front Desk.
We’ll see you on the home front on July 24th & 25th!

Life in America: 1940s - Day 2
2026-07-25 11:30 - 16:30 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801

Museum Talk - Monikers: An American Tradition Presented by Scot Phillips
2026-08-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
This museum talk is done in connection with The Rail Legacy exhibit. Monikers are typically graffiti done on the sides of freight cars and trains and started as a tradition in the late 1800s. Come listen to Massillon Museum’s Chief Developement Officer, Scot Phillips, talk about the intersection of art, graffiti, and trains.
Museum Talks are free for all museum visitors.

Ohio Open Doors - MacDonell House
2026-09-19 13:00 - 17:00 | MacDonell House, 632 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Come on an architectural adventure tour of the MacDonell House at the Allen County Museum. Get up close with all of the intricate hand-carved woodwork of a different era, and the other extraordinary architectural choices of this Victorian Shingle Style Mansion. Weather permitting, enjoy learning about the exterior along with the interior of the house. On September 19th, 2026, from 1 – 5 p.m., have a free architectural tour of the MacDonell House.

Museum Talk: Lima's Interurban History Presented by Mike Buettner
2026-09-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Lima’s interurban and street railways played a major role in the economic and social growth of Allen County. This program-will revisit the interurban lines that radiated from Lima in six directions, with old and new photos, plus vintage post cards, maps, and timetables.
Museum Talks are free for all visitor.

National Fossil Day
2026-10-10 11:30 - 14:30 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
More information coming soon!

Night at the Museum
2026-10-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Step into the past… if you dare! This year’s Night at the Museum isn’t just a tour; it’s an interactive, family-wide quest through time.
The Historical Scavenger Hunt:
Mysterious figures from the past have broken free from their exhibits and scattered throughout the museum! To complete your quest, grab a Time Traveler’s Passport at the front entrance and put your detective skills to the test:

Uncover Local Legends: Hunt down historical figures from Allen County, Ohio, and the greater world.
Collect the Stamps: Gather every stamp and claim a special prize at the end of the night!

Event Details & Tips:

Dress the Part: Come decked out in your favorite costume, whether you’re a Victorian explorer, an astronaut, or an 80s icon feel free to come in your Halloween costume!
Bring Your Curiosity: Talk to the characters, get their stamps, and see history come alive right before your eyes.

Will your family fill out your passport before time runs out? Put on your costume and join us for an unforgettable night!

This event is free for the whole family!

Museum Talk: At the Center: Ohio & Presidency presented by Chris Blubaugh
2026-10-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Ohio has always been central to the nation’s history. In the 19th century, several Ohioans were nominated for and won the presidency. After helping the Union win the Civil War, Ohio Presidents were called upon again to serve the nation and preserve the gains of the recent conflict. This lecture focuses on presidential campaigns in the 19th and early 20th centuries involving Ohio candidates and how they won the presidency.
Chris Blubaugh is a former History Professor at Edison State Community College and Ohio Dominican University. He has taught courses in U.S. History, Western Civilization, and World History. His current interests are, but not limited to, 19th- and 20th-century U.S. History, more specifically, military history, U.S. foreign policy, and political history with an emphasis on the American presidency. Chris co-authored an article with Dr. Benjamin T. Arrington: “Was James Garfield Really a ‘Dark Horse’ in 1880?” Published in the Fall 2025 issue of the Middle West Review. He holds a Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State University, where the thesis research focused on President James K. Polk’s domestic and foreign policies. Chris currently works for the America 250-Ohio Commission.
Museum Talks are free for all visitors

Museum Talk: A Stroll Around Public Square presented by Hannah Bergstedt
2026-11-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio, 45801
Following this year’s newsletter article series, What Happened Here?, Allen County Museum Curator of Education Hannah Bergstedt will lead a tour through the history of Public Square. Sharing what made each part of the square unique, when buildings were constructed, big events, and highlight the center of our community.
All museum talks are free for visitors.
