The Richland County Museum - Preserving Our Legacy, Illuminating Our Future

Your State Tax Refund Can Help Promote, Preserve Local History!

     History advocates have a new and convenient way to demonstrate their support for history and preservation in Ohio . For the first time, taxpayers will be able to donate a portion of their income tax refund to the Ohio Historical Society.  The 2011 Ohio individual income tax forms provide a “tax check-off” option—a blank box on where those receiving a refund can designate an amount of it for donation.

     The Ohio Historical Society will use the revenue generated from the tax check-off to create a new grant program to support history-related projects throughout Ohio .  These will include repair or restoration of historic properties, care for historic objects and documents, education initiatives, public programs, and more across the entire state of Ohio .  The Society is busy preparing criteria for the grants program, which they expect to be unveiled in the spring.

     The Ohio Historical Society income tax check-off was approved as part of the state’s two-year budget that was signed into law by Gov. John R. Kasich on June 30. The Society does not know how much the new tax check-off will generate, but officials estimate it to be at least $200,000per year.

     Please be sure to remember that tax time is also your time to support local history

   Olden Days in Richland County:

Camp Buckingham 

    Civil War reenactors will set the historical scene for the Richland County Museum’s “Olden Days in Richland County: Camp Buckingham,” July 9 on the Museum campus in Lexington.

      President Abraham Lincoln (Robert Brugler of Worthington) will greet visitors and share some insights about life as President during the Civil War.  Performer, music historian, and Civil War reenactor Steve Ball will present songs of the Civil War, accompanied on his period guitar, and a Civil War “saw bones” will make you glad you live in the 21^st century!

    In addition to the reenactors,  demonstrations and period crafts, games and contests for the children are planned.  For the adults, experts from the Carrousel Antiques Mall will discuss and value your heirlooms.  A limit of two items per person is requested, at a charge of $5 per item, which includes admission to the Olden Days event.

   The gate opens at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, and Olden Days in Richland County will continue until 5 p.m.  Lunch and refreshments are available.

           The Richland County Museum is sponsoring a “green” fundraising drive in an effort to raise funds while making the world a better place to live.  The museum will make 25% of all sales of eco-friendly and fair trade products throughout the year.  The proceeds will be designated for the Building Fund.

           Greenraising carries a full line of eco-friendly and fair trade products, from reusable grocery bags to multi-use water bottles to all-natural cleaning supplies and lotions.  There is fair trade chocolate that also raises funds for art education, jewelry from women’s cooperatives in Guatemala, and lunch boxes made from recycled drink containers, among many other items.

     For more information on the fundraising drive, visit www.greenraising.com.

       At the “Your selected affiliate” drop-down menu, type in R and scroll down to select Richland County Museum – OH.

  2011 Upcoming Events!

May 1             Museum Opening

May 8             Mother’s Day – Closed

May 15           Open

May 22           Open

May 28           Living Mansfield

May 29           Memorial Wkd–Closed

June 5           Open

June 12          Open 

June 19          Open    

June 26          Open

July 3             Ind'ence Day Wkd–                           Closed

July 9             Civil War 150

Olden Days in Richland County:

                   Camp Buckingham

July 10           Open

July 17           Open

July 24           Open

July 30    OH State Fair Historic Cabin

July 31           Open

August 6 OH State Fair Historic Cabin

August 7        Open

August 13      Quilt Seminar – Civil                                                War

August 14      Open

August 21      Open

August 28      Open

September 4    Labor Day Wkd –                                Closed

September 9    Children's Day - Lyme                              Village

September 10 – 11  Pioneer Days –                              Lyme Village

September 11  Closed

September 18  Open

September 24  Heritage Days –                                       Malabar

September 25  Heritage Days –                                    Malabar

September 25  Closed

October 2       Open

October 9       Open

October 9       Underground RR Event

October 16     Open

October 23     Open

October 30     Open – Last Sunday

November 28  Light Up Lexington

December 3 & 4       Journey to                                Bethlehem

     Old Lexington School, c. 1905

        This, believe it or not, is the building that is now The Richland County Museum.  (To see a contemporary image, visit "About Us.") 

     Taken about 1905 by a young local photographer, Mellville Blair, we can see that the building's original appearance has changed quite a bit.  And how about that bell tower! 

       In the ensuing 150 years since its construction, the building has undergone a number of changes.  The original slate has  been replaced with a standing seam roof.

    The Richland County Museum is an architectural treasure of the County, and is, perhaps, the only surviving school from its era.  The preservation of the building, as well as its contents, is a major trust of the Richland County Museum Association.