Wood County Museum

The Museum is the former Wood County Poor Farm, or Infirmary, and is open for self-guided tours daily.

This 50-acre site features the Wood County Museum, many original site buildings, nature trails, herb gardens and more.

This is a collaborative effort between the the Wood County Historical Society, the Wood County Park District, and the Wood County Commissioners.

The Museum is operated by the Wood County Historical Society and employees. They have many great events throughout the year as well as excellent exhibits.

MISSION: The Wood County Historical Society is a community organization that makes connections between our past, present and future by capturing stories and cultivating memories of Wood County, Ohio and the County Home.

Exhibits

Featured exhibits:

NEW FOR 2022!!
"ALLURE & ILLUSION: A ROSE COLORED ROMANCE"
Showcasing over 40+ beautiful wedding dresses (that span 150 years) once worn by local community members, this exhibit presents the foundation of marriage culture and how modern ideology is changing what it means to get married and strive for the American Dream.

Featuring the Frank Kalan Harlequin Romance Cover Art collection from Bowling Green State University Browne Popular Culture Library.

ALSO FREE SPECIAL EVENT ON SEPT. 17
WOOD COUNTY AG-VENTURE!
2022 Wood County Ag-Venture
Saturday, September 17, 2022
10 AM – 3 PM
FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

For more information please visit: woodswcd.com/ag-venture.html

Mark your calendar for the Wood County Ag-Venture Self-Driving Farm Tour September 17, 2022. Local agriculture industries are opening their farms and businesses in southeast Wood County to highlight Ohio’s #1 Industry – agriculture.

Agriculture is a vital industry in Wood County. Fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat are seen as we drive through the county or even in our own backyards. Wood County has many specialty crops, too, that people are not aware of. Fields of pumpkins, peppers, cucumbers and seafood. Maybe you’ve seen enormous bales of hay and straw. Have you noticed the family farms with cattle, chickens, pigs, and sheep? Have you ever heard of a “Poor Farm”? Get a chance to visit the Wood County Museum and see what history you can uncover about these former public charity poor farm sites.

Wood County agriculture is a leading economic driver yet many Wood Countians are unaware of the products grown in their backyard. From eggs to Oreos, Wood County growers are key manufacturers to the foods we eat and the fuel we use to get around.
Travel at your own pace and visit only a small portion of Wood County’s 617 square miles to learn and experience the history, local farm families, and ag businesses who make it happen.

We are excited to share the stops on the
2022 Ag-Venture Self-driving Farm Tour
​
Benschoter Hay & Straw
Buckeye Seafood Company, LLC
Harrison Farms and Truck & Body
Weber Ranch, LLC
Wood County Museum

ALSO ON EXHIBIT AT THE WOOD COUNTY MUSEUM:

"For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio by Way of the Poor Farm"

This exhibit examines the architecture and design of institutional life in Ohio, up until the 1930s, as characterized by the Ohio State Board of Charities and the people who worked to uphold “comfort and convenience” for public charity. These early standards set in motion a variety of social welfare practices that are used today.

Historical documentation shared from many counties are within diorama-style exhibits, along with 120 modern-day photographs of each county taken by local photographer Jeffrey Hall over the last two years.

"THE MARY & CARL BACH STORY"
A thorough picture of Mary and Carl Bach's tragic story including trial transcripts, a conservator's look at preserving controversial objects, and how we view domestic violence in today's society.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.