Orange Johnson House Museum 956 High Street Worthington, Ohio 43085-3536 (614) 885-1247 Fax: (614) 885-1040 Worthhsoc@aol.com

Open Sunday, except holidays, April through December, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The museum will open on April 15th in 2007 due to the holiday schedule,

Visit the Orange Johnson House Museum and step back into nineteenth-century Worthington - into one of the oldest residences standing in its original location in central Ohio.

This property offers a unique view of both the pioneer and antebellum periods in Worthington. The oldest portion was built in 1811 by Arora Buttles. The six-room house was on thirty-five acres, part of a choice farm lot next to the village. The pioneer architecture can be seen in the low-ceilinged keeping room with it's solid walnut wainscoting and steep dogleg staircase to the second story. The kitchen has the original walk-in type fireplace with a large iron crane and bread oven. The house is furnished with period furniture, some of which have a connection to early Worthington families and activities.

In 1816 Orange Johnson, a hornsmith who specialized in comb-making, bought the property. He added a stately Federal-style addition high-lighted by the gracious entry with its curved fanlight, sidelights and delicately reeded pilasters leading to a center hall. Each of the four principal rooms in the federal-style addition contains a fireplace with handsome mantle. The  front door in the addition faced west toward the road that was becoming the main route (now High St.) between Columbus, the new state capital,  and Lake Erie.

Surrounded by period furnishings, costumed guides describe the everyday pursuits of the early Worthington settlers. Visitors will learn about the comb making trade and see a collection of 19th century women's hair combs and comb making tools.

In the exhibition rooms on the lower level we are featuring Early Worthington Objects: From the Beginning. This exhibition begins the timeline of Worthington history with a collection of Native American artifacts then continues forward with a display of objects from the first decades of pioneer settlement.

Admission is $3 for an adult and $2 for children age 6 - 16,  which includes a docent-led tour. Group tours are available from April through December for 10-45 visitors, at a cost of $3 per person or $2 for children age 6 - 16. Please schedule group tours at least 3 weeks in advance. Group tours can be scheduled for weekdays or the weekend.