One of my favorite places to take our kids is the Ohio History Center. If you follow us on Instagram, you know this to be very accurate. This iconic museum offers a rich tapestry of the past that engages my children’s curiosity and makes learning a fun and exciting adventure. From the curiously intriguing two-headed cow to the wonderfully preserved Lustron house from the 1950s, there’s always something new to explore and learn about.
Though school might be taking a break for the summer, the Ohio History Center is very much in full swing! The upcoming summer programming is a treasure trove of educational experiences waiting to be discovered. With monthly themes including natural history in June, air and space history in July, and the history of new Ohioans in August, this summer at the History Center promises to be an unforgettable journey into the past.
I’m super excited to take Olivia and Finn to their weekly programs, which comprise of morning story times, fascinating exhibit tours, and engaging documentary film screenings. I highly recommend checking out their upcoming programs—participation is conveniently included with general museum admission.
See below for the full list of all these FREE (with admission) events.
Upcoming Summer at the Center Programs:
June (Natural History)
Wed. June 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 11 a.m.
Story Time at the Museum!
Join us every Wednesday this month at 11 a.m. for a special natural history themed story time for the little ones! Ideal for Kids age 3-6 years old.
Fri. June 2, 16 & 30 at 1 p.m.
Ancient Fossil Tour
From shallow sea to massive glacier, learn about and get hands-on with some of the animals and plants that lived in ancient Ohio.
Fri. June 9 & 23 at 1 p.m.
Ice Age Mammals Tour
Learn about some of the giant mammals that roamed modern-day Ohio during the Ice Age, which ended around 10,000 years ago.
Sun. June 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 1 p.m.
Special Documentary Screening: Americas National Parks at 100
Presented by the Smithsonian Channel.
The National Park Service has been active for over a century preserving and protecting over 400 units across America, from the wild and natural to the man-made and historic. Take a tour through iconic Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon and discover smaller, hidden treasures throughout the country as we explore the agency’s evolution over the last century. Through rarely seen footage and stunning aerial views, we celebrate the sites and stories of the national landmarks that reflect our country’s past, present, and future.
July (Air & Space History)
Wed. July 5, 12, 19 at 11 a.m.
Story Time at the Museum!
Join us every Wednesday this month at 11 a.m. for a special air & space themed story time for the little ones! Ideal for Kids age 3-6 years old.
Fri. July 7, 14 & 21 at 1 p.m.
WWI Aviators Tour
WWI is often considered as the first modern war in history partly due to the use of new and deadly technologies during the conflict. Among the many technologies used in warfare for the first time was the airplane. Follow along on this guided staff tour as we discuss some of the technology and history of WWI airplanes and the aviators that flew them!
Sun. July 2, 9, 16 & 23 at 1 p.m.
Special Documentary Screening: Apollo’s Moon Shot
Presented by the Smithsonian Channel.
A million spectators gather to witness the launch of Apollo 11 from Kennedy Space Center in 1969. The mission will be the culmination of a decade of sacrifice, dedication, and sheer determination to get a foothold on another world. Now, the hopes of the nation rest on the next eight days. Look back on humankind’s most ambitious journey, revealed through iconic and rarely seen footage, archival interviews with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, and secrets hidden inside Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
August (New Ohioans)
Wed. Aug 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 11 a.m.
Story Time at the Museum!
Join us every Wednesday this month at 11 a.m. for a special immigration themed story time for the little ones! Ideal for Kids age 3-6 years old.
Sun. Aug. 13, 20 & 27 at 1 p.m.
Special Documentary Screening: America in Color: Coming to America
Presented by the Smithsonian Channel.
For many immigrants, their first sight of the U.S. is the Statue of Liberty. The iconic structure promises sanctuary, hope, and a fresh start, but they soon learn that America’s arms are not always open. Colorized rare home movies and archival footage reveal the amazing stories of ordinary people who share the same dream. From Caribbean immigrants who settled in Harlem to Italian “radicals” shipped back home to celebrities such as Albert Einstein, see how America changed as immigrants brought new cultures from the margins to the mainstream.
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