Timmy - All your old stuff are belong to OHS

The Ohio Historical Center, operated by the Ohio Historical Society, is your one-stop shop for all things old and interesting about the Buckeye State. Flora, fauna, (arti)facts and treasures abound, illustrating the history of Ohio.

The permanent exhibits also include a new feature: an exceptional display of art and artifacts from Norman Rockwell, the famed artist whose creations graced the covers of the Saturday Evening Post for so many years.


The Rockwell exhibit was not, however, our first stop! Upon entering the museum, we examined the "Nature of Ohio" area. We learned about the geography and geology of Ohio's two distinct regions - the glaciated north and western half, and the un-glaciated southeastern half. Illustrating the concept was a 3-D map, showing the difference in terrain between the two areas. It was amazing seeing how smooth and consistent the land had become after being worn away under the immense weight of the glaciers covering the state during the last Ice Age.

Also on display was an impressive collection of taxiderm-ified animals representing the wide variety of creatures stalking (or, in some cases, not stalking anymore!) the wilderness of our great state. Everything from the tiny to the tremendous was represented here, with an almost too-creepy quality. It's amazing how weird and lifelike a stuffed animal can appear, but that only serves to reinforce the quality of the exhibits.


After the maps, creatures, rocks and plants of the nature exhibits, we explored the Norman Rockwell exhibit. We explored a marvelous series of life-size replications of Rockwell's most famous paintings. The exhibit highlighted not only the artwork itself, but Rockwell's inspiration for each cover. Everything from world events such as World War 2 to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s are reflected in the paintings and dioramas on display.

Exploring the variety of the items to be found in the rest of the Historical Center really provides a fantastic perspective on the journey our country -and state- have made throughout the ages. Documenting that history in a way that speaks to the inquisitive, curious side in all of us is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Don't get me wrong, I've been to museums before; the Carnegie in Pittsburgh is likewise impressive indeed. But having the items on display be so relevant, so close to home, it's an experience difficult to duplicate, let alone describe in a few inches of blog.



Pros:

1. Variety - Large amount of exhibits of all different types and time periods.
2. Close to home - Short trip; I-71 & 17th Avenue near OSU campus
3. Not Crowded! - Lynn and I were pretty sure that we were the only real "guests" in the museum for the few hours we spent there. Sure, there's the occasional school field trip or special event... but more often it's pleasantly unpopular.
   
4. Edu-tastic - Learn about Ohio and the awe-inspiring history of our great nation.

Cons:

1. Expensive - Even with a discount, it's going to cost you a little bit.
   
2. Lots of walking - With a spacious facility and tons of things to look at, you'll want comfy shoes.
   
3. Creepy people in the Rockwell Exhibit - There's just something weird about having someone try to interact with you - seemingly at random - in a museum. It's weird.

Score: 7/10 - Worth visiting for the educational value alone, but it loses points for being expensive and sometimes creepy.