If you love history, Columbiana County is the place for you! You can spend days pouring through the fascinating historical archives in our museums and historical centers. Our knowledgeable historical societies are extremely helpful and welcoming. Create your own adventure through history in Columbiana County!
The Historical Thompson House
Location: 300 Walnut St., East Liverpool, OH 43920
Contact: 330.385.2550
East Liverpool Historical Society on Facebook
Hours: Tours available by appointment only (call 330.385.2550)
Located less than ¼ of a mile from the Museum of Ceramics (noted below) stands the historic C.C. Thompson House. Built in 1876, this historical site is on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the East Liverpool Historical Society.
The house was built by Cassius C. Thompson, owner of C.C. Thompson Pottery, which operated in East Liverpool from 1868 until 1938. The house had a nice view of the Ohio River and much of its building material came from local sources. The Thompson Family owned the house until 1978 when it was sold to the East Liverpool Historical Society.
Tours of the Thompson House for up to 8 people are available by appointment. You can call 330.385.2550 or text 330.831.4880 to schedule one.
The property is also home to special events hosted by the East Liverpool Historical Society. In the past, they’ve hosted “Dinner, Move and a Tour” events and a “Christmas in July” movie on the lawn event among others. For upcoming events, news and updates, be sure to follow the East Liverpool Historical Society on Facebook or check out their website.
Lisbon Historical Society Museums
Location: 119 East Washington St., Lisbon, OH 44432
Phone: 330.424.1861
Hours: Tuesdays from 10am – 3pm
Lisbon Historical Society on Facebook
The Lisbon Historical Society Museums consist of a three-building complex which includes the historic Old Stone House, The Erie Railroad Station, and the more recently built Bye Barn.
These three buildings house a variety of displays and artifacts from various periods connected to the city of Lisbon. Unlike some history museums that may focus on a broad region or time period, the Lisbon Historical Society is tightly focused on Lisbon history, meaning everything you see in their museums was proven to have some connection to the village itself.
The Old Stone House Museum is one of two historic buildings on the property along with The Erie Railroad Station. The Old Stone House celebrated its 70th anniversary as a museum in 2023, but the building itself is much older than that, being constructed in 1807 from locally sourced sandstone. The Old Stone House Museum is decorated to reflect a pre-Civil War appearance and it houses the Lisbon Historical Society’s oldest pieces, including many of their Civil War items.
The Lisbon Historical Society has one of the best collections of Civil War items in the region. In fact, members of the Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable made a special trip to view the collection in the past. Highlights of the collection include an actual Civil War cannon produced in 1861 as well as a horse saddle from the era. Another unique Civil War highlight is the chair and business card of Edwin Stanton. Stanton was a local lawyer who practiced out of a building in Lisbon. He would later go on to become Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War.
Besides their impressive Civil War collection, the museums also hold a variety of artifacts from various eras in Lisbon’s past. Many of these items are contained in the other historic building, the Erie Train Station. The Erie Train Station is a repurposed Victorian era train station that was originally operated by the Erie Railroad. Moved from its original location, it now houses a variety of displays and artifacts including business and industry photos, signage from Lisbon stores and theaters, items manufactured by local businesses, and a section dedicated to the railroad.
A can’t miss item in this building is a display of paper soda drinking straws manufactured by the National Soda Straw Co. The paper soda straw and a machine created to manufacture them were first patented in the 1800s by Lisbon businessmen.
The Lisbon Historical Society also hosts events and sponsors various trips to historical and cultural significant places. For information on upcoming events and updates, follow the Lisbon Historical Society on Facebook.
The Leetonia Beehive Coke Ovens Park
Location: 999 Cherry Valley Rd, Leetonia, OH 44431
Leetonia Beehive Coke Ovens on Facebook
Hours: Dusk to dawn 7 days a week
Nestled in the northern part of Columbiana County in the village of Leetonia lies an interesting piece of history that has since been transformed into a park. In 1866, the Leetonia Coal & Iron Company established a booming business in Salem Township thanks to the earth’s rich coal, ore, and lime deposits. This led to the founding of Leetonia, which incorporated in May of 1869. Over the years, the business grew to 200 ovens and four blast furnaces which were used to purify coal that was then used to make iron. The operations changed owners several times and eventually, the business closed by 1930.
A group of concerned citizens in the 1980s began efforts to restore the abandoned industrial site. Their efforts resulted in the site being turned into a beautiful 10-acre park with 25 acres of nature preserve. The remnants of the coke ovens have been compared to what people imagine as an abandoned hobbit village, the fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novels. The park includes beautiful walking trails along the coke ovens as well as a trail that connects the park to the Little Greenway Bike Trail. In 1999, the site was recognized by the Ohio Historical Society with a historic marker.
Future plans for the Coke Ovens Park include projects that will make the park more accessible for hiking, biking, and education. For information about these plans and more information about the Coke Ovens Park, check out the Village of Leetonia website.
Log House Museum in Columbiana
Location: 10 E. Park Ave., Columbiana, OH 44408
Phone: 330.482.5394
Historical Society of Columbiana & Fairfield Township on Facebook
Hours: Museum open Fridays and Saturdays 2-4pm June through August. Research center is open Tuesdays 9am-12pm year round except December.
The Log House Museum located on the circle in the city of Columbiana is the home of the Historical Society of Columbiana and Fairfield Township. Though it might look like a compact log cabin from the outside, the museum has a large variety of displays and typically surprises first-time visitors with its size.
The Museum is furnished to feel like an early pioneer home. In fact, the building itself was an actual log house in town, though it has been moved from its original location. It has two floors of exhibits and items on display all of which have been donated.
Some of the displays include a Harvey Firestone Collection (the city’s most famous resident), an antique doll collection, a tribute to the 1947 state championship basketball team, Civil War and World War II items, and even mastodon bones which were discovered on the Firestone Farm homestead.
The lower half of the facility is a research center dedicated to archiving documents. This is an excellent resource for genealogical researchers or anyone interested in finding out more about industry or business records of the town and surrounding area.
The Historical Society also hosts events, like their 2023 70th anniversary celebration at Firestone Park. For news and updates about upcoming events, follow the Historical Society of Columbiana and Fairfield Township on Facebook or visit their website.
Log House Museum in East Palestine
Location: 555 Bacon Ave., East Palestine, OH 44413
Phone:330.423.3452
East Palestine Area Historical Society on Facebook
Hours: Sundays 2pm-4pm during June, July and August. Also available by appointment.
Home of the East Palestine Historical Society, this 1840s era log house was once the residence of Dr. Robert Chamberlin and his wife. Chamberlin is a fascinating figure in East Palestine history. Not only was he the first resident physician and first postmaster, but he also served as a township trustee, worked as a surveyor for both Columbiana County and the Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad, and even started the first store “of any consequence” according to East Palestine’s city website.
The Log House has been restored to resemble what the home would have looked like in the 1840s, on both the exterior and interior, including an 1830s era grandfather clock. The house does have a different view than it would have had in the 1840s, though, as it was moved from its original location on the corner of West Main Street and now resides on park property.
The house is open for tours on Sundays during the summer (June, July, and August) from 2pm to 4pm, but you can also contact the East Palestine Historical Society to make an appointment for other times (330.423.3452). In the past, they’ve also been open at certain times in December.
The East Palestine Historical Society holds a unique fundraiser in the fall called Apple Butter Days. When you attend, you’ll be lucky enough to see apple butter made with old-fashioned techniques. You can even purchase a pint (or several) to take home. They also occasionally hold picnics near the Log house as well. For information about these events and other East Palestine Historical Society news, be sure to check out their Facebook Page or website.
Museum of Ceramics
Location: 400 East Fifth St., East Liverpool, OH 43920
Phone: 330.386.6001
Museum of Ceramics on Facebook
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9am-3:30pm. Closed January, February, and March.
East Liverpool was once known as the “Pottery Capital of the World.” In fact, at one point ½ of all of America’s dinnerware was produced in this town. Today that legacy is kept alive and celebrated through the Museum of Ceramics. The Museum is a great resource to learn about East Liverpool’s history and the history of the pottery industry in general.
The MoC (as it’s often shortened to) has been in existence for over 40 years and features over 4,000 objects displayed in over two floors of exhibits. Displays include life-size dioramas depicting historic life in the pottery industry along with showcases of a variety of ceramic items. Some of these include Yelloware and Rockingham pieces as well as the largest public display of Lotus Ware (a fine bone china produced in the 1890s).
The museum is an excellent repository of informational resources too. The MoC maintains an archive of company files of pottery, documents, and photos related to people connected to the pottery industry, newspapers (over 500 hardbound), and city and county directories. Many of these documents date back over 100 years. If you’d like a taste of what the museum has to offer, check out their fully online exhibit of Crockery City Teapots!
If you happen to own antique pottery that you believe was produced in East Liverpool, their website offers a convenient pottery questions form where you can learn more about your piece.
The museum also offers various instructional workshops, such as painting classes, a popular “clay academy,” and they hold events like trivia, block parties, and literary clubs.
Be sure to check out the Museum of Ceramics on Facebook or on their website for news, updates, and upcoming events.
Salem Historical Society and Museum
Location: 239 South Lundy, Salem, Ohio 44460
Phone: 330.337.8514 (Dale Shaffer Research Library)
Salem Historical Society on Facebook
Hours: Monday, Wednesday Thursdays 9am-noon (open hours). Tours begin after 11 (call ahead if visiting).
The Salem Historical Society and Museum consists of a complex of four buildings containing hundreds of historical artifacts related to local history. With a variety of choices, they offer one of the more comprehensive options when it comes to museum and local area historical tours.
Museum tours are available at regularly scheduled intervals from May through October (check their website for specifics) that will take you through the Schell and Pearce buildings.
The Schell Building contains a general store with artifacts from local businesses. It also includes the Heritage Room, which is focused on the Quakers, Romanians, and Strotter Brown (a former enslaved person who settled in Salem after the Civil War). This building features a picturesque outdoor garden complete with vintage plants and a fountain as well.
The Pearce Building has two levels of period rooms, and some of the highlights include a Victorian parlor, a doctor’s office, and a one-room school.
The other two buildings of the museum are Freedom Hall and the Dale Shaffer Research Library. Freedom Hall contains artifacts focused primarily on Salem’s connection to the Abolitionist Movement, Women’s Rights, Prohibition, Our Country’s Wars, as well as historically important skills like farming and blacksmithing. You can tour these spaces by appointment only.
Besides museum tours, the Salem Historical Society conducts popular Trolley tours that take participants to historically significant locations around the city. These tours consist of a 90-minute Underground Railroad Tour as well as a 75-minute Ghost Tour. Both tours typically take place in the fall and cost $15 per person. Calling ahead to 330.337.8514 for reservations is recommended as the trolley has limited capacity. There’s also a non-history related trolley Christmas lights tour which takes place during the holiday season.
For more news, updates on tour dates and times, and upcoming events, check out the Salem Historical Society‘s website.
The Upper Ohio Valley Museum and Learning Center at the Lou Holtz Hall of Fame
Location: 120 E. Fifth St., East Liverpool, OH 43920
Phone: 330.386.5443
Upper Ohio Valley Museum on Facebook
Hours: Tuesdays-Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2 (Groups by appointment)
Despite its association with a famous football coach, this museum is about much more than just sports. It’s a celebration of the history, culture, and accomplishments of individuals of all walks of life from the Upper Ohio River Valley.
The Upper Ohio Valley Museum and Learning Center features artifacts and themed rooms covering many aspects of East Liverpool history and the history of the Upper Ohio River Valley region in general. Some of the highlights include a recreation of a train dining car, a 1950s style diner room, and a room-sized model train display.
Other notable displays include a working Wurlitzer Band Organ, which can be seen (and heard) near the museum’s entryway, a Silsby steam-driven fire engine, and a display on the capture of notorious bank robber “Pretty Boy” Floyd.
And of course, with sports being a major part of Ohio River Valley culture, the museum features several sports-focused exhibits. This includes a Lou Holtz coaching memorabilia display and a room dedicated to East Liverpool High School football.
The Hall of Fame portion of the museum is named after famous football coach Lou Holtz. Holtz, most famous for his time at Notre Dame and his recent career as sports pundit on Television, grew up in East Liverpool and attended East Liverpool High School. Holtz gained additional notoriety in 2020 when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The museum was originally envisioned as a museum about his life, but Holtz thought it would be better with a broad focus on celebrating individuals from the region.
Politicians, athletes, business people, and even school principals are members of the Hall of Fame. Some notable inductees include Dean Martin, Clark Gable, and Will Thompson.
Be sure to follow the Upper Ohio Valley Museum on Facebook or on their website for news, updates, and upcoming events.
Wellsville Historical Society River Museum
Location: 1003 Riverside Ave., Wellsville, OH 43968
Phone: 330.532.1018
Wellsville Historical Society on Facebook
Hours: Most Sundays during the summer 1pm-4:30pm (check Facebook for specifics dates)
Home of the Wellsville Historical Society, the River Museum overlooks the Ohio River and probably has the best view of any historical society in the county.
The main building was constructed in 1870 by local physician Dr. John W Hammond. The Museum itself consists of several buildings that house various historic memorabilia from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. It has 11 themed rooms.
The Historical Society offers tours from 1pm to 4:30pm on most Sundays during the summer but the specific dates are usually listed on their Facebook page.
Besides tours of the buildings, the Museum also hosts lectures on a variety of topics related to life along the Ohio River such as boats, railroads, and the Underground Railroad. They also host guest speakers like historical reenactors. George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and John Hancock have all been featured in the past. Other notable guests include Father John Neiman (a friend of Otto Frank). For news about upcoming speakers and events be sure to check out the Wellsville Historical Society on Facebook.
columbiana county Historic Places and Markers
Besides museums, Columbiana County is home to 44 Historic places indicated by the national register of historic places. We touched on several of these in our “14 Fascinating Facts About Columbiana County” blog post. Some of the highlights include historic buildings like the Carnegie Public Library in East Liverpool, a spot where a Confederate general surrendered, as well as one of the shortest covered bridges in the country!