Columbus Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio
On a summer Friday at the 1807 Harrison House, a CHS docent ushers you past the doorway and starts with the origins of Franklinton, long before the city took shape across the river. The talk is informal, grounded in artifacts and stories, and it sets the tone for how this organization treats local history: close-at-hand, place-based, and told by people who know the neighborhood.
Columbus Historical Society serves as the city’s homegrown history outfit, preserving collections, organizing talks, and mounting exhibits that focus squarely on Columbus and its communities. Its base of operations is in Franklinton at 717 West Town Street, with office access available on a by-appointment schedule during the week. Programs rotate through the calendar, from neighborhood history spotlights to exhibit-driven conversations, so the experience varies by season.
The group is also preparing a bigger stage for all of this work. Engine House No. 6 on West Broad Street is being renovated as CHS’s future headquarters, envisioned as a site for museum galleries, a research library, and community programs. While that build-out continues, CHS has been hosting occasional events at the historic firehouse and keeping regular programming moving at other sites.
If you’re after something that feels rooted to where Columbus began, watch for the seasonal open houses at the Historic Harrison House and the Sullivant Land Office just behind it. Those afternoons are conversational and hands-on, with docents walking visitors through early-settlement stories and the War of 1812 ties to the house. Back at West Town Street, collections work is ongoing, and access to some materials may be limited while artifacts are reorganized ahead of the move. Past exhibits have ranged from neighborhood histories to local music and art, which gives a sense of the range you’ll encounter when new shows are announced.
- Location: Franklinton; current office at 717 West Town Street, Columbus, OH 43222
- Hours: Office by appointment on Tuesday 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; seasonal Harrison House open houses on summer Fridays 12–3 p.m. (June 19–September 4). Hours vary; check ahead.
- Price signal: Many programs are free, with donations appreciated.
- Parking: On-site lot available at the West Town Street location.
- Known for: Columbus-focused exhibits and talks, programs at the Historic Harrison House, and the planned move to a restored Engine House No. 6.
If you want an up-close look at Columbus history told in the places where it happened, this is a practical, low-key stop to put on your Franklinton circuit.
Published: September 9, 2026 · Reviewed by the Whats Up Columbus editorial team