Galion History Center

Galion History Center Welcome to the official page of the Galion History Center.

Fifty years ago, the people of Galion buried items for the future.On July 4, 2026, that future arrives.Join us at Heise ...
06/17/2026

Fifty years ago, the people of Galion buried items for the future.

On July 4, 2026, that future arrives.

Join us at Heise Park as we gather to celebrate the opening of the 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule and discover what local families, businesses, churches, schools, and organizations chose to preserve for the next generation. From personal envelopes returning to their loved ones and community records to artifacts that tell the story of Galion in 1976, this is a rare opportunity to experience history exactly as it was left behind.

The opening ceremony begins at 12:00 p.m. and will feature patriotic music, community speakers, and the unveiling of time capsule artifacts for public viewing. Following the ceremony, families may pick up designated time capsule envelopes from 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, a blanket, or a picnic lunch and join us for an afternoon of memories, discovery, and community as we celebrate both Galion's past and America's 250th anniversary.

📍 Heise Park
🗓 July 4, 2026
🕛 Ceremony Begins at 12:00 p.m.

We know, we know: No winter talk! But, skating at Galion’s reservoir was serious business in the 1800s (and apparently, ...
06/17/2026

We know, we know: No winter talk! But, skating at Galion’s reservoir was serious business in the 1800s (and apparently, a very popular one).

An 1893 article put it this way:
“Quite a large crowd enjoyed the skating at the reservoir Wednesday night until a late hour. If the parties owning the reservoir were to build a skating house there and keep the ice clean, would it not be a paying investment?”

So basically… Galion residents showed up, stayed late, and then immediately started offering business advice.

The reservoirs may have been built for industry, but in the winter, they became one of the busiest social spots in town. Would you have been out there skating... or just there to watch the falls?

Behind the doors of Brownella Cottage, little has changed in more than a century.Brownella Cottage isn't just a house mu...
06/16/2026

Behind the doors of Brownella Cottage, little has changed in more than a century.

Brownella Cottage isn't just a house museum, it's a time capsule. Unlike most historic homes, Brownella remains filled with the original furnishings, artwork, books, and personal belongings of Bishop William Montgomery Brown and his wife, Ella. Nearly every room appears much as it did when the Browns lived here more than a century ago.

But the house is only half the story.

Your docent-guided tour will explore the fascinating and controversial life of Galion's "Bad Bishop", a nationally known Episcopal bishop whose outspoken views on religion, politics, and society led to his excommunication and made headlines across the country.

Join us this summer to discover the man, the myths, and the mansion that continue to make Brownella Cottage one of Ohio's most unique historic treasures.

📅 June 18 • July 16 • August 6
⏰ 6:00 p.m.
🎟 Tickets: $10

Reserve your tour time here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-summer-guided-tours-of-brownella-cottage

Step into Galion's industrial past this summer!Join us for self-guided evenings at the Hayden-Helfrich Annex Museum and ...
06/15/2026

Step into Galion's industrial past this summer!

Join us for self-guided evenings at the Hayden-Helfrich Annex Museum and explore some of the largest artifacts in the Galion History Center collection. From a 1922 Galion Iron Works steam roller and a beautifully preserved 1906 Ahrens steam fire engine to horse-drawn road graders, early hearses, and local school memorabilia, the Annex tells the story of the industries, innovations, and people that helped build our community.

Admission is "Pay What You Can," making this a great opportunity for history lovers, families, and curious explorers of all ages.

📅 June 25 • July 23 • August 13
⏰ 6:00 p.m.
🎟 Reserve your spot at www.galionhistory.com/events

Come take a walk down memory lane and discover why Galion was known around the world for building the roads that built America.

Heckert Nature Preserve covers 43 acres of upland forest, riparian bottomland, and old field habitat within the Olentang...
06/15/2026

Heckert Nature Preserve covers 43 acres of upland forest, riparian bottomland, and old field habitat within the Olentangy River drainage between Galion and Bucyrus. A one-mile trail runs through the property, following wooded areas and the edge of the river bottom.

The preserve supports a range of plant and animal life typical of Crawford County, including spring wildflowers, bird populations, and butterfly species. It is also home to some plants considered potentially threatened by the State of Ohio.

The area also has a longer history. It is believed to have been near a Native American portage route between the Olentangy and Sandusky River systems, and may have included a trading post in the 1700s. In the 1800s, part of the land was within the now-defunct village of Olentangy. Nearby, Seccaium Park once operated just west of the preserve.

Heckert Nature Preserve was dedicated in 2006 after being acquired with Clean Ohio funding and a land donation from Gerald Heckert. Today, it reflects a continued effort to preserve natural space and protect local biodiversity.

The Crawford County History Alliance planted a Swamp White Oak for the Heritage Tree Program for America 250 at the Heckert Nature Reserve!

Have you walked the trails at Heckert Nature Preserve?

🇺🇸 Happy Flag Day! 🇺🇸Observed each year on June 14th, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the first official United St...
06/14/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Flag Day! 🇺🇸

Observed each year on June 14th, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the first official United States flag by the Continental Congress in 1777. While many Americans picture Betsy Ross's famous 13-star design, the story of our nation's flag is far more colorful and far more complicated!

Before a single design was standardized, military units, colonies, naval forces, and patriotic organizations flew dozens of different flags during the Revolutionary War and early years of the Republic. From the Pine Tree Flag and Gadsden Flag to the Bennington Flag and countless star arrangements, Americans experimented with an incredible variety of designs before arriving at the familiar Stars and Stripes we know today.

As we prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, this poster, created for the Crawford County Historical Alliance's America 250 Kickoff, highlights just a few of the many flags that have represented the American spirit from 1767 to today. It's a reminder that while the design has evolved over nearly 250 years, the ideals of liberty, perseverance, and unity continue to fly on.

Galion didn’t exactly go quietly into Prohibition… 🍺👀By the early 1900s, our small town was home to a staggering 28 salo...
06/13/2026

Galion didn’t exactly go quietly into Prohibition… 🍺👀

By the early 1900s, our small town was home to a staggering 28 saloons. And when the 18th Amendment rolled around? Let’s just say that amount of drinking didn’t magically disappear overnight.

Join us for Breweries, Bootleggers & Buggy Whips as we uncover the stories of Uptowne Galion’s saloons, breweries, dry agents, bootleggers, Carrie Nation visits, and the battle between the “Wets” and “Drys” that turned Galion into a local Prohibition battleground.

Spoiler alert: people got real creative when alcohol became illegal!

-$10 Tickets
- Starts at the Temperance Fountain (old middle school lot)
-Select Fridays at 7:00 p.m.

Reserve your spot here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/breweries-bootleggers-and-buggy-whips-galion-during-prohibition-uptowne-walking-tour

☀️ Summer is officially tour season at the Galion History Center!Whether you're fascinated by Victorian architecture, lo...
06/12/2026

☀️ Summer is officially tour season at the Galion History Center!

Whether you're fascinated by Victorian architecture, love local history, or want to uncover the stories behind Galion's wild Prohibition era, we've got a tour for you this summer.

• Explore the controversial life and remarkable home of Bishop William Montgomery Brown at Brownella Cottage.

•Take a self-guided stroll through the Hayden-Helfrich Annex Museum and discover Galion's industrial, transportation, and community history with our "Pay What You Can" admission.

•Step back into the days when Galion was a battleground between the "Wets" and the "Drys" on our Uptowne Prohibition Walking Tour.

Tickets and details available at www.galionhistory.com/events

Which tour are you adding to your summer bucket list? 👇

The swimming pool at Heise Park was one of the largest improvement projects in the park’s history during the 1930s.Const...
06/12/2026

The swimming pool at Heise Park was one of the largest improvement projects in the park’s history during the 1930s.

Construction began as part of federal relief efforts during the Great Depression, with funding tied to the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). At one point, work was temporarily halted when those funds were depleted, leaving the bathhouse and surrounding improvements unfinished. The project later continued under the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

Dozens of local men were employed on the project, with materials sourced from regional companies. At its peak, over 40 workers were involved in building the pool and its supporting structures.

The pool officially opened in the mid-1930s and quickly became a major draw. In its first year alone, nearly 20,000 people used the facility.

We love this picture because you can see the WCTU Water Fountain in the background. The Fountain, now restored, sits on the old school lot, across from Brownella Cottage!

Do you remember spending time at the Heise Park pool?

Join us on July 4th at 12:00 p.m. in Heise Park as we celebrate the opening of Galion's 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule ...
06/11/2026

Join us on July 4th at 12:00 p.m. in Heise Park as we celebrate the opening of Galion's 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule and celebrate a remarkable piece of our community's history.

The ceremony will feature patriotic music, community speakers, and the first public unveiling of artifacts that have been sealed away for 50 years. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, lawn chairs, or blankets and spend the afternoon celebrating Galion's past, present, and future.

If your family has a named time capsule envelope, pick-up will be available immediately following the ceremony from 1:00–3:00 p.m. A second pick-up opportunity will be offered on July 9 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Brownella Cottage for those unable to attend on Independence Day. A master list of personal envelopes are available on our website - galionhistory.com under the Events tab.

Whether you have a connection to the time capsule or simply want to witness a once-in-a-generation community event, we hope you'll join us as we uncover the stories, memories, and treasures left behind in 1976.

📍 Heise Park, Galion
🕛 July 4, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.
🧺 Bring a picnic, chairs, or blankets

Who's planning to be there? 🇺🇸✨

Address

201 S Union Street
Galion, OH
44833

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 2pm
Thursday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

(419) 468-9338

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Galion History Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Galion History Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category