Worthington Historical Society

Ghost Tours
2025-10-23 18:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Wednesday & Thursday, October 22nd & 23rd
On this guided tour through the Historic District, guests will encounter ghosts of past Worthington residents spanning the last two centuries, each ready to tell their stories.
Tours begin every 15 minutes, beginning at 6:30 pm through 7:30 pm each night.
The tour will require ~0.5 miles of walking, and guests will be on their feet for 60 – 90 minutes. Walking shoes and flashlights are recommended. The tour will take place rain or shine, so bring an umbrella if rain is in the forecast! The tour is designed for guests 13 and older. Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets may be purchased for $20.00 online starting October 1st.

Book A Tour

Thank you to our Corporate Sponsor:

Additional Ghost Tour sponsors:

“A Merry Beary Christmas” Doll Museum Special Exhibit
2025-11-06 - 2025-12-20 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Visitors of all ages are invited to “A Merry Beary Christmas”, a heartwarming holiday exhibit on display in the Old Rectory Parlor. Featuring a delightful collection of teddy bears, these cherished bears—each with its own story and personality—have been lovingly arranged in festive vignettes. Bears bundled in knit sweaters, seated in antique sleighs. A charming tea party scene with bears dressed in vintage attire, sipping from dainty porcelain cups and nibbling on tiny pastries. Groups of bears nestled on the settee enjoying time together at the holiday. This festive exhibit runs through our seasonal closing in December. Free, Open to the Public.
Gift Shop & Doll Museum Hours:
Wednesday-Friday, 1-4 pm
Saturday, 10 am-2 pm
Closed Wednesday, Nov. 26th and Thursday, Nov. 27th for the holiday.
Saturday, Dec. 20th is the last day to visit the Shop and the Doll Museum in 2025. Closed in January. The Rectory will reopen in February 2026.

Holidays on High - Shop Open
2025-11-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Come visit us at the Shop at the Old Rectory and spend some time enjoying all of the merchants and activities in the area!

Registration for Children's Christmas at the Orange Johnson House
2025-11-10 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Children’s Christmas Registration
Monday, November 10th, 7 – 8 pm
Tuesday, November 11th, 7 – 8 pm
The Orange Johnson House, 956 High St.
Registration is coming up for a popular holiday tradition in Worthington! Children’s Christmas allows your children in grades 3-5 experience the Christmas holidays the old-fashioned way at the Worthington Historical Society’s Christmas program on Saturday December 6th, 13th or 20th from 4 pm – 8 pm.
Activities will include learning about school traditions, hearing Christmas stories, touring the Orange Johnson House, playing period games, making a craft, singing traditional songs, preparing and eating a typical early 1800s meal and receiving a gift from a very famous visitor.
Prior registration is required, and must be done in person only, and you may only register a child in your family. Cost per child is $35.00. Payment must accompany registration.
To volunteer to help with Children’s Christmas, please contact the Society.

Thanksgiving Closure
2025-11-26 - 2025-11-27 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
The Shop and Doll Museum at the Old Rectory will be closed Wednesday & Thursday, November 26th and 27th.
Normal hours will resume on Friday and Saturday, November 28th & 29th. Happy Thanksgiving!

Illuminated Shopping - Shop Open
2025-12-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
The Shop at the Old Rectory will be open extra hours on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd from 6-9 pm for Illuminated Shopping. This longstanding tradition in historic Old Worthington includes live holiday music, festive luminaries lining High Street, and local retailers open late. There will be a horse drawn carriage and a DJ spinning holiday tunes.
Take the short stroll down New England Avenue to shop our antiques and consignment items! Lots of unique Worthington gifts and holiday decor, too.

Children's Christmas at the Orange Johnson House
2025-12-06 - 2025-12-20 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Children’s Christmas at the Orange Johnson House is a popular holiday tradition in Worthington! Children in grades 3-5 experience the Christmas holidays the old-fashioned way on Saturday December 6th, 13th or 20th from 4 pm – 8 pm. *Register in person, Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 10th & 11th. We will update afterwards to share if there are still spots remaining. Call 614-885-1247 or email us at info@worthingtonhistory.org to secure your child’s spot!
Activities will include learning about school traditions, hearing Christmas stories, touring the Orange Johnson House, playing period games, making a craft, singing traditional songs, preparing and eating a typical early 1800s meal and receiving a gift from a very famous visitor.
Prior registration is required, and you may only register a child in your family. Cost per child is $35.00. Payment must accompany registration.
To volunteer to help with Children’s Christmas, please contact the Society.

Christmas Traditions: An Historic Holiday Tour
2025-12-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Thursday, December 11th, tours starting at 6:30 pm; reservations required
Join us for this special evening tour of the Orange Johnson House, beautifully decorated and aglow for Christmas. Delight in the stories shared by history interpreters about Christmas celebrations by Worthington’s founders in 1803, continuing through the 1800s and early 1900s. From Christmas stockings and trees to ghost stories and gift-giving, this tour will explore the traditions of the season!
Tickets may be purchased for $15.00 online starting November 10th via worthingtonhistory.org. Tickets are non-refundable. Please note that the Orange Johnson House has several flights of stairs. Guests should be able to navigate steps and stand during portions of the tour.

Orange Johnson Christmas Open House
2025-12-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Enjoy “An Old Time Christmas” at the Orange Johnson House!
Sunday, December 14th, 1 pm – 4 pm
The Worthington Historical Society invites you to enjoy the spirit of the holidays at the Orange Johnson House on Sunday Dec. 14th! We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to stroll through the house on a self-guided tour and enjoy festive holiday decorations.
The Society will collect non-perishable goods for the Worthington Resource Pantry. In lieu of an admission cost, guests are asked to donate one or more items to this valuable community program. While members receive complimentary visits all year long, we extend this invitation to donate items to our Society community as well.
PLEASE NOTE: The Orange Johnson House will close for tours after the Christmas Open House until Spring 2026.

Winter Closure 2025-26
2025-12-21 - 2026-01-04 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
The Shop and Doll Museum at the Old Rectory will be closed beginning December 21st, 2025, and will reopen in February 2026. The Orange Johnson House will reopen in spring 2026. Thank you for your support!
