Worthington Historical Society

Orange Johnson House Tours, Wednesdays in March & April
2026-03-04 - 2026-04-29 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Each Wednesday in March and April, the Orange Johnson House will welcome guests for tours at 1 pm on a drop-in basis. Reservations will not be required! Admission will be $8 per adult, $5 per child 6 – 16 and is free for children five and under. Members are free.
Sunday tours can still be booked online, 24-hr advance reservation, using the “Book A Tour” button on our homepage.

Lunch & Learn: Honoring Worthington’s Women of Influence
2026-03-13 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening Street, Worthington, 43085, United States
Friday, March 13th, 12:00-1:30 pm
McConnell Arts Center, Master Classroom
777 Evening Street
$25 per person, register at worthingtonhistory.org
Join the Society for a program to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. Enjoy a box lunch and hear from Historical Society speakers who will share the stories of women who’ve made significant contributions to Worthington, Ohio and the country through their works across the last two centuries.
A selection of boxed lunches will be offered (select from choices when registering). Space is limited – register through our website, using the “Book online now!” link below.
Pictured above: Ruth Potter, March 31st, 1955, Worthington News. Potter was a 1929 Worthington High School graduate who went on to take over the family business, serving as President of the Potter Lumber and Supply Co.
Book online now!

Sheep Pastures to Progress: A Worthington Art & History Installation
2026-04-23 - 2026-10-31 | East Granville Road Park, 245 E. Granville Rd., Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Sheep Pastures to Progress is Worthington’s community-wide outdoor art and history installation celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. From April–October 2026, painted sheep silhouettes—created by local artists, schools, and organizations—will appear throughout the city, turning Worthington into a walkable gallery that highlights our past and imagines our future. The Society’s sheep, designed by artist Niki Gnezda, reflects generations of local history and iconic architecture.
This project is led by the America 250 – Worthington committee in partnership with the Worthington Historical Society and local community organizations. Together, we invite you to celebrate our shared past, honor our present, and imagine Worthington’s future—one sheep at a time.
The sheep will be displayed in various locations.
Thursday, April 23 – May 7th – Northeast Village Green
Thursday, May 7th – May 21st – East Granville Road Park
Thursday, May 21-June 4 – Worthington Fire Station
Thursday, June 4-June 18 – McCord Park
Link to the full tour guide: Sheep Pastures to Progress | Experience Worthington

Bus Tour: "Historic District"
2026-04-28 10:00 - 12:00 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Historic Neighborhood Series Bus Tour: “Historic District”
Join a Society Docent for this bus tour highlighting historic homes, school sites, churches and commercial buildings found throughout the Historic District. You’ll learn how and where the earliest schools operated, as well as the remarkable contributions of the earliest pioneer men and women. Bring your imagination–some of these sites are no longer here, but their stories remain an important part of Worthington history! Bus tours depart from and return to the Griswold Center.

All bus tours can be reserved through Worthington Parks & Recreation registration.
Spring registration for Residents and Passholders begins at Midnight on March 16th.
Open registration begins at Midnight on March 18th.

Activity search | Worthington Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)

Bus tours this year are presented as part of our yearlong America 250 programming. Additional itineraries will be featured in the summer session with the Griswold Center. Stay tuned for details!

Worthington History Walk
2026-05-01 - 2026-10-31 | OH
Worthington History Walk is an outdoor gallery in the historic district featuring 22 historical photographs from the Worthington Historical Society archive that picture Worthington throughout its almost 250-year existence. The History Walk will be on view May through October and is brought to you as part of Ohio’s America 250 celebrations and is a partnership between the Worthington Historical Society and Experience Worthington.
Link to the full walking tour: History Walk | Experience Worthington

Memorial Day Parade
2026-05-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Walk in the Memorial Day Parade with the Worthington Historical Society! Join us in costume from any historical time period, 1803 to present, as we promote America 250 in Worthington.
Contact Kate, info@worthingtonhistory.org or call 614-885-1247, to sign up. (Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.)

Bus Tour: "The Civil War Era and Worthington’s connection to the Underground Railroad"
2026-05-26 10:00 - 12:00 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Historic Neighborhood Series Bus Tour: “The Civil War Era and Worthington’s connection to the Underground Railroad”
This tour explores Worthington’s rich Civil-war era history and its significant role in the Underground Railroad. Stops include the site of the first meeting of the local Anti-Slavery Society took place, Sharon Memorial Hall, the Morris Addition, St. John AME church, a documented Worthington stop on the Underground Railroad, the former Twin Oaks site, Flint School, Flintridge Terrace, the newly restored Ozem Gardner homestead, Flint Cemetery and the historic Village of Flint. Bus tours depart from and return to the Griswold Center.

All bus tours can be reserved through Worthington Parks & Recreation registration.
Spring registration for Residents and Passholders begins at Midnight on March 16th.
Open registration begins at Midnight on March 18th.

Activity search | Worthington Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)

Bus tours this year are presented as part of our yearlong America 250 programming. Additional itineraries will be featured in the summer session with the Griswold Center. Stay tuned for details!

Sunday Funday - Worthington Pride
2026-06-07 13:00 - 17:00 | Southeast Village Green, 700 High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Sunday, June 7th, 1-5 pm
The Worthington Partnership, along with the merchants of Old Worthington, present “Sunday Fundays”, afternoons of themed food, entertainment, and specials in our historic district.
Each merchant will adapt the theme to their own business. This summer, find the Worthington Historical Society on the Village Green, where volunteers will have Pioneer Games on hand on June 7th, August 9th, and September 27th.

Annual Meeting & Program: Minute Men, Green Mountain Boys & More: Worthington’s Revolutionary Legacy
2026-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Annual Meeting & Program
Minute Men, Green Mountain Boys & More: Worthington’s Revolutionary Legacy with Ted Dziemianowicz
Wednesday, June 10th, 7 – 8:30 pm
The Griswold Center, 777 High Street
Free & Open to the Public
Many Worthingtonians know that Scioto company members and town founders Abner Pinney, Israel Case, and William Thompson served in America’s struggle for independence, but did you know that two Minute Men, a member of the Green Mountain Boys, and a New Hampshire soldier who fought at Bunker Hill are also here?
Ted Dziemianowicz has followed the breadcrumbs left by Virginia McCormick and others to learn some of their stories.
A brief business meeting will be held before the program.

Yard Sale at the Rectory
2026-06-20 09:00 - 15:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Saturday, June 20th, 9 am-3 pm
It’s the return of the best yard sale of the summer! Weather dependent, the Historical Society will have tables on the lawn selling unbelievable items donated by our members and the community. A variety of items including antiques and collectibles, glassware, jewelry, books, and household items will be available.
Have items you’d like to donate? We will be accepting donations from 7 to 8:30 am on Saturday the 20th. All items should be cleaned and priced for sale. To make donations at any other time please contact the shop to set up a drop-off time. (shop@worthingtonhistory.org or 614-885-1247) All proceeds will support the Society.

Bus Tour: "Expansion into the North Quadrant and Across the River"
2026-06-23 10:00 - 12:00 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Summer registration for Residents and Passholders begins at Midnight on May 18th.
Open registration begins at Midnight on May 20th.
Visit: Activity search | Worthington Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)
Tuesday, June 23rd, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
This tour highlights the community’s growth northward and includes notable sites such as the Sears Row homes, Medick Estates, Plesenton, the Jeffers Mound, Linworth and its experiential school, the Beechviews, John Antrim’s home and several historic residences on the west side. Participants will learn engaging stories and historical details connected to each location.
Pictured here: Medick Estates

Bus Tour: "Expansion to the South"
2026-07-28 10:00 - 12:00 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Summer registration for Residents and Passholders begins at Midnight on May 18th.
Open registration begins at Midnight on May 20th.
Visit: Activity search | Worthington Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)
Tuesday, July 28th, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
This primarily residential tour features visits to the homes of three notable local artists, each widely recognized in their time. We will also explore Riverlea, Davis Estates, Walnut Grove, Kanawha and its historic log cabin, and Chaseland – along with the story of Philander Chase – before concluding at Kenyon Brook.
Pictured here: Bishop Chase House

Bus Tour: "Worthington Becomes a City, a Seminary, and a Few Country Clubs"
2026-08-25 10:00 - 12:00 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Summer registration for Residents and Passholders begins at Midnight on May 18th.
Open registration begins at Midnight on May 20th.
Visit: Activity search | Worthington Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)
Tuesday, Aug. 25th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
This tour begins in Colonial Hills and continues to the Pontifical College Josephinum and the Woods at Josephinum. We’ll then visit the York Country Club, Worthington Hills and its Country Club, and view several model homes from the 1966 Columbus Dispatch Parade of Homes. The tour concludes by learning about Ruth Potter and the subdivision of Potter’s Creek.
Pictured here: Pontifical College Josephinum

Bus Tour: Farmlands North of Route 161 and “the Rivalry”
2026-09-22 10:00 - 12:00 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Fall registration dates will be announced in August. Stay tuned for details!
Visit: Activity search | Worthington Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)
Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
This tour explores the northern farmlands beyond Route 161, beginning with the planning concepts behind Worthingway and Worthington Estates. We then cross High St. to a former orchard area, visit the Orange Johnson House, and discuss the significant farm activity which took place there. The tour continues through the Wilson Hill neighborhood before returning to Old Worthington to learn about the rivalry between Kilbourne Village and Rush Creek.
Pictured here: Rush Creek
