The Ohio History Center will remain closed to museum visitors through 2030 as the Ohio History Connection begins a major rehabilitation project intended to prepare the building for the next 50 years.
The announcement, made Oct. 30, marks a significant change from the organization’s earlier plan to reopen the museum in December. The building closed in September after officials identified a potential problem with its fire safety system. At the time, the Ohio History Connection said the temporary closure would allow necessary building upgrades to move forward safely.
Now, the work will continue as part of Campus 2.OH, a multiyear effort to renovate the Ohio History Connection’s Columbus campus. The project will include updates to the History Center’s building systems and improvements to the museum itself.
So what’s happening at the Ohio History Center?
The Ohio History Center, located at 800 E. 17th Ave. near the Ohio Expo Center, opened in 1970. It houses the Ohio History Connection’s flagship museum, its headquarters, the State Archives & Library, and the State Historic Preservation Office.
The rehabilitation project is the final phase of Campus 2.OH, which began in 2022. Earlier phases included the opening of a new Collections Care Center in 2024 and renovations to Ohio Village, the organization’s living history museum.
“The Ohio History Center has been the anchor of the Ohio History Connection since it opened in 1970 and started serving as our headquarters,” said Megan Wood, Executive Director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection.
“It’s an important landmark and touchstone for Ohio history, and we need to undertake this rehabilitation to keep it relevant, safe and sustainable for coming generations of Ohioans,” said Wood.
The project is being funded primarily through a $58 million capital-budget appropriation from the Ohio General Assembly for fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
What can you still visit?
Although the museum galleries will remain closed through 2030, the Ohio History Connection says its essential services and programming will continue.
The Archives & Library will remain accessible by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays, with occasional closures needed for construction. Access to records held by the State Historic Preservation Office will be handled through a process that has yet to be determined.
Ohio Village, meanwhile, is expected to reopen fully in spring 2027 following its own renovation. The organization plans to expand programming there, work with local arts partners, and offer more online content, including talks, podcasts, and construction webcams.
The Ohio History Connection also plans to bring items from its museum collection to locations around the state, giving Ohioans opportunities to see artifacts and hear from history experts while the main museum is closed.
The organization operates more than 50 historic sites and museums throughout Ohio, and those sites are expected to continue their programming during the rehabilitation.
“The progress we have seen through Campus 2.OH reflects the Ohio History Connection’s commitment to preserving our history while preparing for the future,” said Charley Moses, President of the Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees. “With this final phase of construction, the Ohio History Connection will continue to responsibly invest in inspiring, educating and serving Ohioans for generations to come.”
The Ohio History Center’s extended closure means visitors will have to wait several years to explore its galleries again. In the meantime, the Ohio History Connection says it plans to find new ways to share the state’s history beyond the museum’s walls.
