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Tuesday 10am - 3pm Wednesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 3pm Friday 10am - 3pm Saturday 10am - 3pm

Oberlin Heritage Center

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Oberlin Heritage Center

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The Oberlin Heritage Center is an accredited complex of historic sites and a historical society and 1:30 p.m. (last entry at 2:30 p.m.)

The Oberlin Heritage Center is an accredited complex of historic sites, a historical society and historic preservation organization that offers educational programs, tours, kids activities and workshops. Mailing address: PO Box 0455, Oberlin, OH 44074

Guided tours every Thursday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Self-guided tours Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. History Walks in warmer months
Group tours available year-round

10/17/2026

Oberlin College Family Weekend Tour Offerings
Friday, November 6 to Sunday November 8
Register Here: https://oberlinheritagecenter.org/evnt/oberlin-college-family-weekend-tours/

For Oberlin College's Family Weekend OHC is offering a slate of its historical walking tours. These offerings will be your last chance to experience one of our walking tours in 2026. Remember, members tour for free!

Friday, November 6
-10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
-3:00 - 4:15 p.m.: Scholars and Settlers History Walk

Saturday, November 7
-10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
-10:00 - 11:30 p.m.: Freedom’s Friends: Abolition & the Underground Railroad History Walk
-1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Guided Tour of the Jewett House
-3:30 - 5:00 p.m.: Civil War to Civil Rights History Walk

Sunday, November 8
-10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 11:30 a.m.)
-10:00 a.m. - 11:15 p.m.: Architecture History Walk

These tours, and our ongoing self-guided tours, are open to everyone but history walks require advance registration.

10/16/2026

The Impact of Agriculture on Wildlife
Did you know that agricultural activity has had an impact on which animal species live and thrive here in Oberlin and Lorain County? Read on to find out more!

Farming and other agricultural activities have been important to Oberlin’s economy since the founding of the town in 1833. The felling of forests and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes in Lorain County changed the variety of animals found in these areas. Additionally, changing agricultural practices and technology influenced species’ diversity.

In the early to mid-1800s, when wooded areas were converted to farmland, those species that needed trees for shelter and food declined. Such animals included black bears, gray squirrels, and wood ducks. This increase in cleared land then led to a rise in species that thrive in wide, open spaces, most notably the barn owl. By the late 1800s to early 1900s, advancements in technology and industry were changing farming equipment, leading to the rise of commercial, industrial farms. This new equipment led to the decline of several species of animals, including the ring-necked pheasant and the cottontail rabbit. With more effective machinery, farmers were able to expand their farms and harvest from a wider area, leading to a decline in habitat and species diversity. Additionally, the use of pesticides and herbicides also directly influenced which species were present in farmland. Cottontail rabbits and, famously, bald eagles were affected by the use of various chemical agents, leading to a drop in population. In addition, while the barn owl at first benefitted from the clearing of land for farms in the 19th Century, the rise of the commercialized, industrial farm and the decline of grasslands has led to a significant decrease in their population.

The historical development and improvement of agriculture in Lorain County over the past two centuries has affected wildlife populations, sometimes negatively. However, this improvement has also raised citizens’ quality of life.

Photo: Renaldo Reighley on his Morgan Street Farm c. 1920

10/08/2026

Homecoming Weekend Tour Schedule - Oct 9 to 11
Register Here: https://oberlinheritagecenter.org/evnt/oberlin-college-homecoming-reunion-special-weekend-tours-2/

There will be special OHC open hours and tour offerings this weekend during Oberlin College's homecoming and reunion weekend. These tours, and our ongoing self-guided tours, are open to everyone but history walks require advance registration.

Friday, October 9:
-10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
-3:30 p.m.- Scholars and Settlers History Walk (history highlights around Tappan Square)

Saturday, October 10:
-10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
-10:00 a.m. - Freedoms Friends: Abolition & the Underground Railroad History Walk
-1:30 p.m. - Architecture History Walk

Sunday, October 11:
-10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 11:30 a.m.)
-10:30 a.m. - Civil War to Civil Rights History Walk

10/07/2026

Ohio’s October theme for America 250 is Ohio Grows: Food & Farms! Did you know that according to the agricultural census in 1860, Lorain County had 179,000 acres of farmland?

The most popular crop was flint corn: in 1860, there were 631,744 bushels harvested. Sheep were a common animal raised in Lorain County at the time, producing 286,265 pounds of wool, or about 3.5 pounds per sheep. Milk cows were also commonly raised, producing over 1.2 million pounds of butter, or almost 5 million sticks in 1860- consider that the next time that you butter your toast!

10/02/2026

Homecoming Weekend Tour Schedule - Oct 9 to 11
Register Here: https://oberlinheritagecenter.org/evnt/oberlin-college-homecoming-reunion-special-weekend-tours-2/

There will be special OHC open hours and tour offerings during Oberlin College's homecoming and reunion weekend. These tours, and our ongoing self-guided tours, are open to everyone but history walks require advance registration.

Friday, October 9:
-10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
-3:30 p.m.- Scholars and Settlers History Walk (history highlights around Tappan Square)

Saturday, October 10:
-10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
-10:00 a.m. - Freedoms Friends: Abolition & the Underground Railroad History Walk
-1:30 p.m. - Architecture History Walk

Sunday, October 11:
-10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Self-Guided “Oberlin Origins” Tours (last entry at 11:30 a.m.)
-10:30 a.m. - Civil War to Civil Rights History Walk

10/01/2026

Dr. Delphine Hanna
In 1885, Delphine Hanna became the new Director of the Women’s Gymnasium of Oberlin College (OC), the first person to hold that title and position. Educated on the East Coast, she had graduated with a degree from the Sargent School of Physical Education. As the position was brand new, Hanna had to write the curriculum herself, and she was required to live in Ladies Hall, above the Women’s Gymnasium. In addition to the coursework she taught, Hanna was also responsible for ensuring that the students with which she lived followed the College’s rules. The Women’s Gymnasium was in poor shape when Hanna found it, and she went about cleaning it herself and ordering gym suits for the students. She even purchased supplies and equipment which she had craftsmen assemble for her in the gym. That first year, Hanna taught several physical education classes for female students, women faculty, public school children, and even male students. At one point, because Hanna utilized the Delsarte method (a system used in theater that focuses on poise and balance) in her physical education work, she came under criticism from some male students that she was teaching dancing. When OC President Fairchild visited Hanna’s class to verify the claims, he came away satisfied with the coursework. That same year, Hanna created one of the first four-year degree programs for physical education. She continued her education outside of her college employment, graduating in 1890 and earning her M.D. By 1901, OC had given her program official recognition, with the curriculum including anatomy, physiology, hygiene, aesthetic and formal dancing, and medical corrective exercises. In 1902, Dr. Hanna became Director of Women’s Physical Training at OC, and by 1903 she was a member of the faculty. Upon her retirement in 1920, Dr. Hanna became the first woman to receive the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement for Teaching’s Carnegie Pension. Other accomplishments included publications of anthropometric charts (human body measurements) and a large impact on the understanding of the importance of physical education. Dr. Hanna died in 1941.

Photos: Portraits of Hanna c. 1910.

09/26/2026

Root B**r & Yesteryear Today from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.!

Join us today on OHC's grounds for a fun afternoon of curiosities, old-fashioned treats, timeless games, and mementos of Oberlin’s past. All activities and treats are free!

Enjoy:
-Root b**r floats and popcorn
-A behind-the-scenes open house of Oberlin’s historic post office building
-A display of historical images of Oberlin in the Monroe House
-Old-fashioned yard games
-Traditional Irish music provided by Francis Quinn, Billy Chambers, and Patrick Custy

Demonstrations/Tables:
-Lorain County Spinners and Weavers Guild
-Lorain County Beekeepers Association
-LaGrange Engine Club
-City Fresh

In celebration of America 250, OHC has Kast Iron Soda Works (based out of Salem, OH) Root B**r and Vanilla Cola that has a commemorative artistic America 250–Ohio label design. You can purchase yours ($3 per bottle) at the event while supplies last.

Refreshing root b**r and ice cream for the free floats will be generously provided by Oberlin Drug Mart. Thank you also to the Oberlin Athletic Boosters Club for their popcorn machine.

09/25/2026

Anna (Sue) Brady
Of those people who have made their mark upon Oberlin High School (OHS) and Lorain County sports, perhaps none were as well-loved and respected as Sue Brady. A longtime teacher and coach, Brady set the standard in Oberlin and in Lorain County for girls’ sports, notably girls’ basketball and volleyball.

In 1958, Brady moved to Oberlin and began her long career as a passionate advocate for girls’ athletics and the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) program at Oberlin High School. As coach for the OHS girls’ basketball and volleyball teams, Brady was constantly looking for ways to improve both the style of play of her teams and the kids’ athletics experience overall. Thanks to her efforts, OHS became a member of a recognized girls’ conference. Brady also wrote the Lakeland Conference’s operating procedures for girls’ volleyball. She learned how to be a ref for both basketball and volleyball because there were no officials for girls’ games. Brady’s advocacy for her teams was constant. She made connections with people to help her with the task of coaching several teams at the same time, accepting help wherever she could find it. When her basketball team had to play running time despite the boys’ teams not doing so, she wrote a letter to OHSAA. Additionally, she figured out the transportation, scheduling, and found referees for her teams. And when faced with a lack of uniforms for the volleyball team, Brady led the way to purchase shirts and would be the one who washed them. Another impact that Sue Brady had on girls’ sports was championing free physicals—at the time, football players got free physicals, but the girls on the teams had to pay for them. Her advocacy for the girls on her teams was appreciated, and many looked up to her as a role model.

In her time as coach, Brady’s teams won many championships, and she won numerous awards including induction into the Lorain County Volleyball and Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame. Sue Brady retired in 1985 and passed away in June 2026. She is fondly remembered by many graduates of OHS.

Photos: Two images of Brady as coach in 1974.

09/23/2026

This weekend, on September 25 to 27, thousands of people will gather at more than 200 historic sites, schools, parks, libraries, museums, and other community spaces across the country to participate in We Want More History!, a national weekend of place-based history programming.

We Want More History! is designed to strengthen civic health, build community trust, foster democratic dialogue, and showcase the essential role of history in public life. It comes at a time of heightened public interest in how American history is interpreted, supporting trusted public institutions where people already gather to learn, reflect, and engage.

The Oberlin Heritage Center is proud to be a participating member of We Want More History! and OHC's Root B**r and Yesteryear event, taking place this Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 p.m., is an official event in this program. Stop by, say hello, grab a free root b**r float, and express your love of history!

Address

73 1/2 South Professor Street
Oberlin, OH
44074

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 3pm
Wednesday	10am - 3pm
Thursday	10am - 3pm
Friday	10am - 3pm
Saturday	10am - 3pm

Website

http://www.oberlinheritagecenter.org/

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