The building's unique design features a massive concrete top structure suspended from a central steel frame, leaving the ground floor largely open.
The onsite Lustron home is one of the few remaining examples of the company's mass-produced, porcelain-enameled steel houses.
The archives house one of the most comprehensive collections of Civil War-era diaries and letters in the United States.
The museum complex is located on the site of the former Ohio State Fairgrounds, which moved to its current location nearby in 1886.
The collection includes the original 1803 Ohio Constitution.
The Ohio History Center serves as the primary repository for the Ohio History Connection, housing extensive collections spanning pre-contact Native American history to 20th-century industrial life. The Brutalist-style building, designed by W. Byron Ireland, stands as a distinctive architectural landmark featuring a suspended structural design. Visitors can explore the 1950s-themed Lustron house, an all-steel home manufactured in Columbus after World War II. The museum features permanent galleries dedicated to Ohio's natural history, including Ice Age fossils. Extensive archives contain original documents, military records, and genealogical materials related to the state's development. The facility also oversees Ohio Village, a reconstructed 19th-century town that operates seasonally adjacent to the main museum. The site hosts specialized exhibits documenting the civil rights movement and Ohio’s role in national politics.
The dramatic, suspended Brutalist exterior of the main building provides a striking architectural backdrop.
Plan extra time to walk through the adjacent Ohio Village when it is operational.
Check the online research catalog before visiting if you are interested in specific genealogical or historical records.
Wear comfortable shoes as the main building spans multiple levels with significant walking required.
Do not overlook the archive and library section if you have a niche historical interest, as it is separate from the main exhibition galleries.
Ohio Village is typically closed during the winter months and operates on a seasonal basis.
