One of the reasons why Delaware is a popular travel destination is because of its rich historical heritage. It’s home to many museums and old buildings that provide an interesting insight into the lives and experiences of people in Central Ohio and beyond. Whether or not you’re a history buff, it’s worthwhile to pay a visit to these three museums when you’re in Delaware:
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Meeker Homestead Museum
If you want to get a glimpse of life in an early settlement in Ohio, you should definitely check out the Meeker Homestead Museum. The main attraction of this museum is the Forest Meeker House, one of the oldest and most prominent historic houses in Delaware County. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this Federal-style, two-story brick house was built in 1823 and served as the residence of a wealthy miller called Forest Meeker, who was one of the area’s original inhabitants.
Over the years, the Forest Meeker House has been remarkably well-preserved. During your visit, you can watch an informational video about the lives of early settlers in Delaware, view Native American artifacts and the products of a 19th-century milling company, and learn how threads were made with antique devices. Outside the house, you’ll find an old barn that was constructed in 1848.
Located on Stratford Road, the Meeker Homestead Museum is open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, but it’s suggested that you make a $5 donation.
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Brant Museum of Zoology
Established in 1847, the natural history collection of Brant Museum of Zoology is one of the oldest in Ohio. As part of Ohio Wesleyan University, the museum is primarily used for laboratory and classroom teaching, but it also draws numerous visitors because of its diverse representation of animals from around the world. Its main highlight is its large bird collection, which comprises 2,500 birds belonging to over 130 species. In addition, it has smaller collections of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish, eggs, and bones. Brant Museum of Zoology is situated in the Schimmel/Conrades Science Center on South Henry Street.
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Nash House Museum
The Nash House is another historic house in Delaware that’s worth visiting. This seven-room Italianate house was built for railroad clerk Thomas Slattery and his family in 1878. About seven years later, another railroad worker by the name of William Nash acquired the house and lived there with his wife and five children. Today, the Nash House remains somewhat the same as it was when the Slattery family lived there. It features a wide array of furnishings, household items, and decorative objects that were commonly found in Delaware homes during the Victorian era.
Located on East William Street, the Nash House Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors are required to make reservations in advance.
Visiting museums in Delaware enables you to experience the charming city on a deeper level. It’ll certainly make your trip more meaningful and memorable.
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