Today’s Logan County Spotlight is on The Logan County History Center.
The Logan County Historical Society owns and operates the Logan County History Center. It is comprised of three buildings: the Orr Mansion, the Logan County Museum, and the Transportation Museum.
All three museum buildings are connected so that you do not have to go outside. Each museum is unique and has a rich history of Logan County that captures the attention of visitors. There is something for everyone at all ages to learn and see.
The purpose of the Logan County History Center is to promote education on the history of Logan County and the collection and exhibit of artifacts, documents, and other historical items.
The Orr Mansion was once home to the William Orr residence in 1906, along with several owners after that. The Logan County Historical Society bought the home and nursing home (now the Logan County Museum) in 1988. A year later, the mansion and museum were opened to the public. Since its opening, it has had many renovations to keep it in its best condition.
There are more than a dozen exhibit rooms in the Logan County Museum. Each room has a specific theme of Logan County or American history, such as the Toy Room, Agricultural Room, School Room Exhibit, etc. It was originally a nursing home from the 1960s-1980s, but it was converted after it was no longer in use into the museum.
The Transportation Museum opened in April 2014. It has exhibits of Honda and a connector hallway that has more information about the local Honda plants. In addition, the connector has an Oldest, Highest, and Shortest Exhibit that features Court Street (the oldest concrete street in America), Campbell Hill (the highest point in Ohio), and McKinley Street (the shortest street in the world). The Transportation Museum also has many exhibits of the history of different modes of transportation throughout Logan County. For example, the Railroad Exhibit is very important in the county’s history. In July of 1847, the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company completed the first railroad in Bellefontaine, and this started a long and successful relationship with railroads in the county. This museum also has a genealogical society and archives on the second floor.
Curator/Director of the Logan County History Center, Todd McCormick, explains why people should come visit the Logan County History Center:
The Logan County History Center has a new website – www.loganhistory.org. This interactive and user-friendly website has loads of information and history about the county and the Logan County History Center.
The Logan County History Center is located at 521 E Columbus Ave, Bellefontaine, OH 43311. Their museum hours are from 1 – 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is by donation. Group tours are by appointment. Their office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
