Firelands Historical Society, Norwalk

About Firelands Historical Society

Firelands Historical Society in the Preston-Wickham House holds one of Ohio's finest Native American collections, displayed at its Laning-Young Research Center and spanning nearly 14,000 years of human activity in the Firelands region. Visitors examine artifacts ranging from toys and clothing to archaeological finds and agricultural equipment acquired from Erie, Huron, Ashland and Ottawa Counties. The collection includes remains of the Firelands Ground Sloth, discovered in the early 1900s and representing the earliest evidence of prehistoric man in Ohio, alongside lifelike figures depicting Native American life. The museum operates seasonally with extended hours in summer months and publishes its admission prices online. Children ages 12 and younger receive free admission. The society, established in 1857, is Ohio's oldest museum and second-oldest historical society. Both the Preston-Wickham House and Laning-Young Research Center are located in Norwalk behind the Norwalk Library.