Worthington Historical Society

Ghost Tours
2025-10-22 18:30 - 21:00, 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!

POSTPONED! Celebrating Margaret Lawrence, A Holiday Open House
2025-12-02 19:00 - 20:30 | The Hartford at Stafford Village, 120 E Stafford Ave, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. DETAILS ON RESCHEDULING TBA.
Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, 7 – 8:30
Celebrating Margaret Lawrence, A Holiday Open House
Join us in honoring Margaret Lawrence’s remarkable 20+ years of service to the Worthington Historical Society before her retirement at the conclusion of 2025! On Monday, December 2nd from 7:00–8:30 PM, we’ll gather at the Hartford for a cheerful open house filled with tasty treats, heartfelt memories, and holiday spirit. This special evening is a chance for members and friends to celebrate Margaret’s dedication and connect in a relaxed, festive setting. Don’t worry, Margaret still plans on volunteering for many of the Society’s events throughout the year!
RSVP Google Form Here
We look forward to seeing you there—and to celebrating Margaret!

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.

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 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.
Book online now!

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 - 2026-02-10 | 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 can be booked by request will resume normal reservations in spring 2026. Thank you for your support!

Reopening Feb. 11th
2026-01-20 08:00 - 2026-02-11 17:00 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
On Wednesday, February 11th the Doll Museum and Shop at the Old Rectory will reopen for 2026 with special exhibit, “American Icons”. Make plans to visit this spring!
Shop & Doll Museum Hours:
Wednesday – Friday, 1-4 pm
Saturday, 10 am-2 pm
General admission fee applies; 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 can be booked by request now and will resume regular tours in Spring 2026. General admission fee applies; members are free.

New Docent Class
2026-03-01 - 2026-03-31 | Old Rectory, 50 West New England, Worthington, OH, 43085, United States
The Worthington Historical Society is looking for interested candidates to join our 2026 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 2026.
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!

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 | 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!

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!

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!
