Ohio Museums Association’s 2024 Saturday Conference Shore Tours
April 13, 2023 - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Coming to Sandusky a little early for OMA 2024?
Or, not able to make it to the full OMA conference but still want a great OMA 2024 experience?
See more of the region and join us Saturday, April 13 for a full day of exploration and fun at six amazing museums along the Lake Erie coast!
This tour-and-drive-on-your-own opportunity allows attendees to make their own schedule and map their own trip as they explore area museums around the shoreline.
Attendees can show their registration confirmation at any of the museums below during their operating hours on Saturday, April 13 for free admission!
Shore West
Liberty Aviation Museum - open 10:00am-5:00pm
The Liberty Aviation Museum acquires, restores, operates, preserves, educates and displays historic aircraft, vehicles and related items. Guests can explore their main hanger, expansion hanger, boathouse, and WWII gallery.
Catawba Island Historical Society – open 10:00am – 12:00pm
Founded in 2017, the Catawba Island Historical Society lives in the historic, 1888 Union Chapel. Visitors to the museum can learn why the peninsula is called an island, the origin of the Catawba name, who Besty Mo-John was and more.
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums – open 9:00am – 5:00pm
Visitors to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums can explore multiple locations on the 25-acre estate, now a recognized level 1 arboretum. Tour the 31-room Hayes Home, see the permanent and rotating exhibits on the museum’s two floors, and explore the extensive research library.
Shore East
Vermilion History Museum - open 10:00am-2:00pm
Visitors to this 1904 building that houses the Vermilion History Museum can explore the ground floor featuring a glimpse into an early 20th century printshop including a front office, a bindery room, typesetting machines and letterpresses. The upper floor includes artifacts from the family that once owned and operated the printshop, as well as objects that reflect the rich history of the community.
Lorain Historical Society – open 10:00am – 3:00pm
The Lorain Historical Society is the home of two historic buildings: the Carnegie Center and the Moore House. Since being built as a Carnegie Library, the Carnegie Center has been repurposed with permanent exhibits, archive, children’s room, and programming space. The Moore House is undergoing a transition from being a traditional house museum to becoming a space better suited for collections storage, programming, and behind the scenes tours. Talk to staff about the inspiration for this new use and see the progress that has been made to date.
Oberlin Heritage Center – open 10:00am – 3:00pm
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Oberlin Heritage Center’s 1866 Monroe House, exploring stories that outline Oberlin's founding, the college's promise of co-education, the community's commitment to abolition, and more. Or, take a guided 45 minute tour of the first floor of the 1866 Monroe House and the 1836 Little Red Schoolhouse at either 10:30am or 1:30 pm. Hear about the events and individuals that shaped Oberlin’s first one hundred years. Topics include Oberlin's beginnings as a Christian Perfectionist community and its philosophies on education, abolition, integration, and more.
Lorain Lighthouse – interior not open for tours, but can be viewed from shore
The 2024 conference takes place before the Lorain Lighthouse will be open for the season, however the iconic lighthouse can be viewed from Lakeview Park (1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052) and Lorain's Mile Long Pier (Lorain, OH 44052).
Ticket cost: $10
Please note: ticket does not include transportation to or from any of the museum locations. This is a drive-and-explore-on-your-own opportunity and transportation is the responsibility of the attendee.
Please Note: As part of our OMA 2024 conference programming, the Saturday Conference Tours are subject to our Code of Conduct, Photo Policy, and Health Policy. Please click on the policy names above to see the full policies in place for OMA 2024.
Click here for complete OMA 2024 conference information.