Worthington Historical Society

Illuminated Shopping
2023-12-06 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | 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. 6 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.

Orange Johnson Christmas Open House
2023-12-10 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-17 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 this year!!
December 3rd, 10th and 17th, 1 pm – 4 pm
The Worthington Historical Society invites you to visit the Orange Johnson House at 956 High Street in Worthington while it is decorated for the Christmas season.
Once again, the Society will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Worthington Resource Pantry. In lieu of an admission cost, we invite guests to donate one or more items to this valuable community program. While members receive complimentary visits all year long, we extend the invitation to donate items to our Society community as well.
Please join us for an enjoyable afternoon of music and holiday merriment!
PLEASE NOTE: The Orange Johnson House will close for Sunday tours after our last open house (except by appointment) on December 17th until Spring 2024. Make sure to visit for the holidays!

Winter Closure 2023-24
2023-12-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
The Shop and Doll Museum at the Old Rectory will be closed from December 16th, 2023 until February 2024. The Orange Johnson House will reopen in spring 2023. Thanks for your support in 2023!

Reopening Feb. 7th
2024-01-23 - 2024-02-06 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
It’s almost time! On Wednesday, February 7th the Doll Museum and Shop at the Old Rectory will reopen for 2024. More information coming soon about our Best Friends special exhibit.
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.
As always, reservations for tours of the Orange Johnson House are available on Wednesdays and Sundays with 24 hrs advance booking online. Use the blue BOOK A TOUR button on our homepage to select a date and time.

Shop New Items & Consignment
2024-01-30 - 2024-02-07 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
On Wednesday, Feb. 7th the Shop at the Old Rectory will reopen for business. The Shop got a winter cleaning along with new consignments and donations ready for purchase. Thank you to our volunteers for getting the Shop ready for a great 2024.
Shop Hours:
Wednesday – Friday, 1-4 pm
Saturday, 10 am-2 pm

Black History Month
2024-02-01 - 2024-02-29 | OH
Each February since 1976, Americans celebrate Black History Month, which was officially recognized during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial, with President Gerald Ford urging Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
To start the month here in Worthington, consider taking some time to reflect on Worthington’s African American history with a recording of the Worthington Chamber Orchestra’s recent Community Connect event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgqDfilnFM4. Society Director Kate LaLonde was honored to be invited to speak at this event.
The program also includes a panel discussion with artists and community leaders, including Worthington Historical Society Board Member Karen Coleman, who shared her own personal family experiences in Worthington, and a fabulous performance of Dr. Mark Lomax II’s work by UCelli, the Columbus Cello Quartet, who will perform at the orchestra’s upcoming February 4th event. The orchestra writes of the concert, “American Stories of Hope highlights themes in the African American experience and the power of hope in overcoming oppression and challenges. Underrepresented in the classical music canon, Black composers often articulate themes of struggle, hope, triumph over racism, and the fight for civil rights. Worthington’s historical connection to the African American experience and openness to Blacks in the 1800s is a source of inspiration for this program.”
To read additional biographies of African Americans for Worthington, please visit worthingtonhistory.org/BlackHistoryMonth.

Research Your House History
2024-02-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Old Worthington Library, 820 High Street, Worthington, Ohio, 43085
February 21st, 7-8 pm
Old Worthington Library, Owl Meeting Room
Your home’s history is just a click away! Library staff and Worthington Historical Society Director Kate LaLonde will share helpful websites, databases, newspapers and more. Registration is not required.

A Brief History of Worthington
2024-04-02 13:00 - 15:00 | McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening Street, Worthington, 43085, United States
Tuesday, April 2nd, 1-3 pm
Lifelong Learning Institute at the MAC, 777 Evening Street
Executive Director Kate LaLonde will be sharing a brief history of Worthington. Tickets can be purchased “a la carte” for $10 per presentation or $50 for all eight weeks of programs. Registration and program information can be found here: https://www.mcconnellarts.org/classes/lifelong-learning-institute/

Ohio’s Indigenous History - Newark Earthworks and the Jeffers Mound
2024-04-11 19:00 - 20:00 | McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening Street, Worthington, 43085, United States
Thursday, April 11th, 7-8 pm
McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening Street
Learn more about Newark Earthworks’ recent World Heritage designation and Worthington’s own Jeffers Mound from Dr. Brad Lepper, Ohio History Connection, and Kate LaLonde, Worthington Historical Society. Registration is required through the Worthington Library website here, https://www.worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar/20240411/ohios-indigenous-history-newark-earthworks-and-jeffers-mound

Community Led Walnut Grove Cemetery Walk
2024-04-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Walnut Grove Cemetery, Milton Drive, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Sunday, April 14th, 2-3:30 pm
Walnut Grove Cemetery, 5561 Milton Ave.
Do you have a relative or special person buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery with an interesting story? This tour will give individuals a chance to lead part of the tour and share a brief background and story about their chosen person. Help the Society uncover and document the stories of the Worthington community by contributing to this community-built itinerary.
Tour will be limited to up to ten participants sharing stories and ten additional tourists. Additional details will be communicated to participants upon signing up. Tour is free. Reserve a spot here through SignUpGenius, or by calling the Society at 614-885-1247.
Link to Register: Worthington Historical Society: Community Led Walnut Grove Cemetery Tour (signupgenius.com)

Night Market - Shop Open
2024-04-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
In partnership with the Old Worthington shops and Experience Worthington, the Shop at the Old Rectory will be open from 6-9 pm for Night Market. Stop in to shop our antiques and consignments – new items are added all the time!
Restaurants will be open as well as food trucks plus music by DJ Joseph Moorer.

Historic Neighborhood Series Bus Tour: Discover Dublin's Past and its Worthington Connections
2024-05-03 13:30 - 16:30 | The Griswold Center, 777 High St, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
Bus Tour registration for Griswold Members begins on March 25th. Open registration begins on March 27th.
Friday, May 3rd, 1:30-4:30 pm
Join the Worthington Historical Society on this bus tour to visit Dublin, visiting the Dublin Historical Society’s Fletcher Coffman Homestead. The site typifies American farm life of the 1800s and the tour will visit the Civil War era brick house and adjoining farm buildings. Also included will be a stop at the Dublin Cemetery where families with Worthington ties will be highlighted. Registration is required.
Photo credit: Dublin Historical Society Coffman Park (visitdublinohio.com)
Additional itineraries will be featured in the summer session with the Griswold Center. Stay tuned for details!

Picture Worthington: Art Walk 2024 Ribbon Cutting
2024-05-10 09:00 | 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!

"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.

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
