Picture Worthington: Art Walk 2024 Ribbon Cutting
2024-05-10 09:00 (America/New_York) | Dewey’s Pizza, 640 High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Friday, May 10th, 9 am at Dewey’s Pizza in Old Worthington
This walk will feature artists from both past & present including six works that are part of the collections of the Worthington Historical Society. The walk will be featured throughout Worthington through the summer.

Worthington Night Market - Shop Open
2024-05-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Thursday, May 16th, 6-9 pm
Come visit us at the Shop at the Old Rectory and spend some time enjoying all of the merchants and activities in the area!

June Annual Meeting & Program
2024-06-12 19:00 - 20:30 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
St. John’s Episcopal Churchyard Preservation Project with Nancy Elkington and Ted Dziemianowicz
Wednesday, June 12th, 7-8:30 pm
The Griswold Center, 777 High St
Free and Open to the Public
Nancy Elkington and Ted Dziemianowicz, members of St. John’s, launched a project last summer to take a fresh look at who is interred in the churchyard, to clean and repair grave markers, to update access and use policies, and to publish visitor guides and the results of research on burials.
They will talk about the ambitious goals of the project and will share stories about a few mysteries solved and new ones uncovered.
This program will be preceded by a brief business meeting.

Worthington Night Market - Shop Open
2024-06-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Thursday, June 20th, 6-9 pm
Come visit us at the Shop at the Old Rectory and spend some time enjoying all of the merchants and activities in the area!

Worthington Night Market - Shop Open
2024-07-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Thursday, July 18th, 6-9 pm
Come visit us at the Shop at the Old Rectory and spend some time enjoying all of the merchants and activities in the area!

Sunday Funday - 80s/90s Throwback
2024-07-21 12:00 - 16:00 | Southeast Village Green, 700 High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Sunday, July 21st, 12-4 pm
The Worthington Partnership, along with the merchants of Old Worthington, present “Sunday Fundays”. Once a month, from June through November, the Partnership will host an afternoon 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 2nd, July 21st, August 11th, and September 22nd.

Sunday Fundays - End of Summer Fair
2024-08-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Southeast Village Green, 700 High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Sunday, August 11th, 12-4 pm
The Worthington Partnership, along with the merchants of Old Worthington, present “Sunday Fundays”. Once a month, from June through November, the Partnership will host an afternoon 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 August 11th, and September 22nd.

Worthington Night Market - Shop Open
2024-08-15 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Thursday, August 15th, 6-9 pm
Come visit us at the Shop at the Old Rectory and spend some time enjoying all of the merchants and activities in the area!

Ohio Open Doors - Worthington
2024-09-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
OHIO OPEN DOORS: WORTHINGTON SITES TO PARTICIPATE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH, 1 – 4 PM
We’re participating in Ohio Open Doors on Sunday, September 8th at the Orange Johnson House and the Old Rectory! Ohio Open Doors is a statewide event organized by the Ohio History Connection in which local sponsors are opening their historic buildings and landmarks to the public for special tours and programs.
In Worthington, the following sites will be open on Sunday, September 8th with complimentary admission:

The Orange Johnson House, 956 High Street

Museum open house, music played by Suzanne Newcomb on the Society’s Tröndlin fortepiano in the sitting room with assistance from the Ohio Arts Council
Suzanne Newcomb is a solo and collaborative recital artist in the Columbus, Ohio, area. She has performed with the QUBE Quartet and the High Street Four. She also performs regularly with larger orchestral groups including the Westerville Symphony Orchestra, New Albany Symphony Orchestra, Greater Columbus Community Orchestra, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra as an Associate Musician.

The Old Rectory, 50 West New England Avenue, 2nd floor

Behind the Scenes open house with seldom seen items from the collection on exhibit

High Road Gallery, 12 East Stafford Street

An artist collective housed in an 1818 building, the Buttles-Pinney-Brown house, constructed by local brick mason Arora Buttles. Enjoy the architecture as well as the current gallery exhibition and work of the resident artist

Sharon Memorial Hall, 137 East Dublin-Granville Road

First built as the Wright residence in 1861, this property came under the care of the Trustees of the Sharon Township Memorial in 1945. The building retains many early features including fireplaces and staircase.

Snow House, 41 West New England Avenue, 1-3 pm

Built c. 1815 by John Snow, who emigrated from Ireland to Worthington in 1817 to become part of James Kilbourn’s Manufacturing Company. but is mainly known for his Masonic activity. The building is currently used for commercial purposes, and retains a number of Federal architecture features.

St. John AME Church (Historic Building), 682 Plymouth Street

St. John African Methodist Epsicopal Church was Worthington’s first African American church. This building was constructed in 1914, and the congregation was founded as Bethel AME Church in 1897.

St. John’s Episcopal Church & Cemetery, 700 High Street

Visit the church and the cemetery. See firsthand the work that is being done as part of the Churchyard Preservation Project.

Walnut Grove Cemetery, 5561 Milton Avenue

Tour the cemetery and hear from presenters sharing the lives of some of the Worthington people buried there.

Join us in honoring the history, design and stories of our historic place! Learn more about Ohio Open Doors at ohiohistory.org/ood.

"Preserving Your Family Photos and Heirlooms"
2024-09-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Old Worthington Library, 820 High Street, Worthington, Ohio, 43085
Wednesday, Sept. 18th, 7:00-8:00 pm
Library staff and Society Director Kate LaLonde will share strategies for organizing, preserving and passing along treasured family photographs, books and heirlooms to future generations.

Sunday Fundays - Oktoberfest
2024-09-22 12:00 - 16:00 | Southeast Village Green, 700 High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Sunday, Sept. 22nd, 12-4 pm
The Worthington Partnership, along with the merchants of Old Worthington, present “Sunday Fundays”. Once a month, from June through November, the Partnership will host an afternoon of themed food, entertainment, and specials in our historic district.
Each merchant will adapt the theme to their own business. Find the Worthington Historical Society on the Village Green, where volunteers will have Pioneer Games to play and a display table.

Worthington Night Market - Shop Open
2024-10-17 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!

Holidays on High - Shop Open
2024-11-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States

Registration for Children's Christmas at the Orange Johnson House
2024-11-11 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-11-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Children’s Christmas Registration
Monday, November 11th, 7 – 8 pm
Tuesday, November 12th, 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 7th, 14th or 21st 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 $30.00. Payment must accompany registration.
To volunteer to help with Children’s Christmas, please contact the Society.

"Twas...", A Special Holiday Doll Display
2024-11-12 - 2024-12-21 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
In time for the holidays in the Old Rectory parlor, the Doll Museum presents our annual exhibition. Our dolls will be preparing for Christmas: gift wrapping, baking cookies, tree decorating, greeting card writing, and hanging stockings. From Wednesday November 6th through to the Old Rectory’s seasonal closing on Saturday, Dec. 21st, you are invited to drop in and enjoy the
merriment. Free, Open to the Public.
Gift Shop & Doll Museum Hours:
Wednesday-Friday, 1-4 pm
Saturday, 10 am-2 pm
Closed Wednesday, Nov. 27th and Thursday, Nov. 28th for the holiday.
Saturday, Dec. 21st is the last day to visit the Shop and the Doll Museum in 2024. Closed in January. The Rectory will reopen in February 2025.

General Meeting & Program
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 7-8:30 pm
Free, Open to the Public
From glass-curtain wall skyscrapers to suburban ranch houses, mid-century properties reflect important architectural design and historic themes illustrating Ohio’s recent past. Join the Historical Society for our General Meeting to learn about modern architecture in Ohio presented by Barbara Powers from the Ohio History Connection. The talk will focus on significant buildings and places illustrating the broad social, political, and economic trends shaping land use, architectural design, and building technology from the 1940s to 1970s.
Barbara Powers, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and Department Head for Inventory and Registration for the State Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio History Connection, has 42 years of experience with historic survey and the National Register of Historic Places programs in Ohio. Powers serves on the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center Commission. She was state coordinator for the Society of Architectural Historians online publication Archipedia Classic Buildings. Published works include “Ohio’s Pride, the Art and Architecture of the Ohio State Office Building” in Timeline, a publication of the Ohio History Connection; “Louis Bromfield’s Big House at Malabar Farm: Form Follows Fiction” in Recreating the American Past, Essays on the Colonial Revival published by the University of Virginia Press and “The Architecture of the Ohio Governor’s Residence” in Our First Family’s Home published by Ohio University Press. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Miami University and a Master’s in Architectural History with a certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia.
There will be a short business meeting before the program.

Children's Christmas at the Orange Johnson House
2024-11-14 - 2024-12-06 | 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 7th, 14th or 21st from 4 pm – 8 pm. *There are a few spots remaining on Dec. 7th. 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 $30.00. Payment must accompany registration.
To volunteer to help with Children’s Christmas, please contact the Society.

Illuminated Shopping - Shop Open
2024-12-04 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Hosted by The Worthington Partnership and AR Workshop Worthington, the Shop at the Old Rectory will be open extra hours on Wednesday, Dec. 4th 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.

Christmas Traditions: An Historic Holiday Tour
2024-12-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Tuesday, December 10th, tours begin at 6:30 or 7:00 pm
We are excited to invite you to a NEW exclusive event! Be a part of our special Christmas Traditions: An Historic Holiday Tour at the Orange Johnson House on Tuesday, Dec. 10th. Tours begin at 6:30 PM or 7:00 PM.
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 using the link below. 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.
We hope you can join us for this unique holiday event. Don’t wait—secure your spot today!

Book A Tour

Orange Johnson Christmas Open House
2024-12-15 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 15th, 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. 15th! We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to stroll through the house and enjoy festive holiday decorations and music played on the Tröndlin fortepiano in the parlor.
Schedule of Events
1:00 – 4:00 Museum Open House
1:15 – 1:30 The History of the Society’s Tröndlin Fortepiano, John Haueisen, sitting room
1:30 – 3:30 Music on the Tröndlin room with pianist Casey L. Cook
3:30 – 3:45 The History of the Society’s Tröndlin Fortepiano with John Haueisen
We are pleased to welcome Casey L. Cook to provide music on the Tröndlin fortepiano through the afternoon. Cook has been honored to accompany national and regional honor choirs for the American Choral Directors Association, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the Ohio Choral Directors Association, and the Ohio Music Education Association. Cook is also pianist for mirabai, a professional women’s choir under the direction of Dr. Sandra Snow. Currently an associated faculty member at The Ohio State University School of Music, Cook is in her 17th year serving as principal pianist for the school’s choral studies department and ensemble area. In addition, Cook has served as pianist for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Chorus since 2000. She joined the CSO as an Associate member of the orchestra in 2011.
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.
This year we will also be collecting memories of holidays in Worthington. Guests are invited to bring a holiday photograph from Worthington and attach a story on the back to hang on our tree. Or write about your favorite holiday tradition, occasion, or memory during the open house. Memories will be archived as part of our community history and help write the story of holidays in Worthington for future generations!
PLEASE NOTE: The Orange Johnson House will close for tours after the Christmas Open House until Spring 2025.

Reopening Feb. 14th
2025-01-23 - 2025-02-13 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
On Friday, February 14th the Doll Museum and Shop at the Old Rectory will reopen for 2025 with special exhibit, “Around the World in 80 Dolls.” Make plans to visit this spring!
Shop & Doll Museum Hours:
Wednesday – Friday, 1-4 pm
Saturday, 10 am-2 pm
Doll Museum is $3 per person, members are free. We look forward to seeing you at the museum or to shop for unique items at the antique and consignment shop.
The Orange Johnson House Museum will resume regular tours in March 2025, every week on Wednesdays and Sundays. 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! General admission fee applies; members are free. Sunday tours can be booked online with 24-hour minimum advanced reservation. Use the BOOK A TOUR button on the homepage to reserve a time. For groups larger than 8 people, or to book a tour for Society members, please call or email the Society.

Orange Johnson House Tours, Wednesdays in March & April
2025-03-05 - 2025-04-24 | 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 $5 per adult, $3 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
2025-03-07 12:00 - 13:30 | McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening Street, Worthington, 43085, United States
Friday, March 7th, 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.
The boxed lunch will include a choice of a turkey & swiss sandwich or a vegetarian sandwich with chips, pickle, cookie, mint and a beverage. Space is limited – register through our website, worthingtonhistory.org using the “Book A Tour” button below starting Friday, February 7th!
Pictured: July 5, 1978 Worthington News, (top) Mrs. Howard
[Jennie] Warner, Mrs. Forrest [Margaret] Detrick, Mrs. Claude
J. [Cecil] Bartlett, Miss Grace Gilbert; (bottom) Mrs. Gordon
[Virginia] Silcott, Mrs. James [Estella] Pinney, Mrs. W. J.
[Mona] Darby.

Book A Tour

New Docent Class
2025-04-02 - 2025-04-05 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
The Worthington Historical Society is looking for interested candidates to join our 2025 Docent class. Volunteers lead scheduled guided tours of the Orange Johnson House throughout the year. Additionally, docents are able to participate in education events such as Worthington History Days for our district’s third graders, and other special events throughout the year. Training consists of several half day workshops in early spring. If interested, please contact the Society at info@worthingtonhistory.org or by phone, 614-885-1247.
New & Returning Docents! The Society is looking for volunteers specifically to help with the walking tours during Worthington History Days for third graders in May. Volunteers lead four 30-minute walking tours from the Green to New England Avenue and back over the course of each morning, discussing how Worthington has changed and what has stayed the same over the past two centuries. Contact Kate at the office if interested in being part of the team that fills this role in 2025.
The Shop is seeking a few more wonderful NEW volunteers to join our team, especially on Saturdays. You’ll have the opportunity to assist customers alongside a current Shop volunteer, making a real difference in our community. Our Shop volunteers are truly invaluable, helping us open the doors to our museum and antique shop to our visitors. Your time and dedication can make a world of difference!

Worthington Night Market - Shop Open
2025-04-17 17:00 - 20:00 | 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!
Guests may also visit the Doll Museum and special exhibit “Around the World in 80 Dolls” on a self-guided tour for $3 per person, Society members are free. Not a member? Guided tours are available for $4 per person or you can help support our preservation and education members by joining today!

Members-Only Doll Museum Tour & Night Market
2025-04-17 17:00 - 20:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Thursday, April 17th, 5-8 pm
Society Members, please join curator Sue Whitaker on Thursday, April 17th for a guided tour of the Doll Museum, highlighting the 2025 exhibit “Around the World in 80 Dolls”. Featuring travel dolls from the early 1900s collected by Helen Schoedinger, the display reflects the values and pride of people and their unique fashions from regions around the globe.
Tours will take place at 6 pm and 7 pm, and are free to members. Drop-in guests may also visit the exhibit on their own over the course of the evening and visit the Shop at the Old Rectory, which will be open from 5 – 8 pm.
Not a member? Guided tours are available for $4 per person or you can help support our preservation and education members by joining today!

“Art & Soul of Worthington: Walking Through Worthington” exhibit at High Road Gallery
2025-04-18 - 2025-05-24 | High Road Gallery, 12 E Stafford Ave, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Fridays and Saturdays, April 18th-May 24th, 12 – 4 pm
From April 18th to May 24th, the Worthington Historical Society’s art collection will be featured at High Road Gallery. As the country approaches the 250th anniversary of declaring its independence in 2026, this is an appropriate time to reflect on the history of Worthington over more than a millennium. From the building of the earthworks by people of the Hopewell Culture to the establishment of Worthington in 1803, and all of the development that has followed, artwork depicting Worthington’s landmarks, Worthington’s people and created by Worthington artists will be featured throughout the gallery.
The exhibit will be on view each Friday and Saturday from 12 pm – 4 pm free of cost. Resident artists’ work will be on display throughout the building in the studio spaces, in addition to the Society’s exhibit. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, April 27th from 2 – 4 pm. Guests will be able to tour the historic building, view the Society’s exhibit as well as the works of the resident artists and enjoy light refreshments.
Sunday, April 27th, 2 – 4 pm
Reception at the High Road Gallery
“Art & Soul of Worthington: Walking Through Worthington”
12 East Stafford Avenue, Worthington

Reception at the High Road Gallery “Art & Soul of Worthington: Walking Through Worthington”
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00 | High Road Gallery, 12 E Stafford Ave, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Sunday, April 27th, 2 – 4 pm
From April 18th to May 24th, the Worthington Historical Society’s art collection will be featured at High Road Gallery. As the country approaches the 250th anniversary of declaring its independence in 2026, this is an appropriate time to reflect on the history of Worthington over more than a millennium. From the building of the earthworks by people of the Hopewell Culture to the establishment of Worthington in 1803, and all of the development that has followed, artwork depicting Worthington’s landmarks, Worthington’s people and created by Worthington artists will be featured throughout the gallery.
The exhibit will be on view each Friday and Saturday from 12 pm – 4 pm free of cost. Resident artists’ work will be on display throughout the building in the studio spaces, in addition to the Society’s exhibit.
There will be an opening reception on Sunday, April 27th from 2 – 4 pm. Guests will be able to tour the historic building, view the Society’s exhibit as well as the works of the resident artists and enjoy light refreshments.

Lawn Games at the Orange Johnson House
2025-05-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Orange Johnson House, 956 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
In partnership with Old Worthington North, the Orange Johnson House will have some lawn games at Drive In With Driven. The parking lot adjacent to the Orange Johnson house will be utilized for the activities so parking will be limited immediately adjacent to the museum. Come join the businesses of Old Worthington North for a day of family fun, food, and activities!
