LIMA
Artspace/Lima
65-67 Town Square, Lima
419-222-1721
The premier art gallery and educational center in west central Ohio. Enjoy exhibits in the Ellen Nelson Gallery, Loft Gallery, and Artzone Gallery and purchase art in the gallery shop. Also houses one of the regions best arts resource libraries. ArtSpace is housed in a turn of the century brick building in Downtown Lima. Art classes for children and adults available ranging from pottery to photography and everything in between. ArtSpace also puts on many events including the summer concert series: Rally in the Square.
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Allen County Museum
620 W. Market Street, Lima
419-222-9426
Closed Mondays and all major holidays. Open Tuesday-Friday 1-5PM
Open Saturday 1-4PM
The dramatically expanded and redesigned Allen County Museum is a premier attraction for history lovers of all ages. Railroad buffs will enjoy seeing the 1925 Shay locomotive, Lima City Street Railway motorman’s cab, and interurban exhibits. The Children’s Discovery Center offers hands-on activities for kids including a general store, one-room schoolhouse, Native American wigwam and large model railroad layout. Whether your interest is natural history, the Civil War, transportation, or John Dillinger’s gang, you’ll find it all at the Allen County Museum. The institution also offers the Elizabeth M. MacDonell Memorial Library, a favorite among family history researchers, and the John H. Keller Railroad Archives featuring thousands of photographs, builders’ prints, and Lima Locomotive Works documents. Families and individuals welcome year round. Bus and group tours welcome… call to schedule your visit. AAM accredited. The museum also puts on several programs and events throughout the year. Be sure to visit the website for details.
MacDonell House Victorian Mansion
Allen County Museum Complex, same hours.
632 W. Market Street, Lima
419-222-9426
Built in 1893, the MacDonell House is one of the few remaining examples of Victorian architectural elegance that once marked an area known as the “Golden Block” in Lima, Ohio. During the last two decades of the 19th century, Allen County flourished with the discovery of oil and the growth of the railroad industry. This mansion is a tribute to that prosperous period in its history.
Children’s Garden
Allen County Museum Complex, same hours.
620 W. Market Street, Lima
419-302-4234
This garden has grown to include over 30 mini-theme gardens and child-inspired works of art, with historical elements which relate to Allen County's rich history. It is an interactive green oasis for "children" of all ages. Open May through October, dawn to dusk. The Allen County Children's garden is a project of the Allen County Master Gardeners who are under the umbrella of Allen County’s Ohio State University Extension Office. Be sure to find out about the Children’s Garden events as well!
The Schoonover Observatory in Schoonover Park
Lima Astronomical Society 670 N. Jefferson St. (Schoonover Park)
419-224-8222
The Schoonover Observatory in Schoonover Park is open at 8PM on the first Friday of every month. This coincides with the regular monthly meetings of the Lima Astronomical Society. The Observatory is also open from time to time for special events related to sky phenomena taking place at the time. On regular meeting nights, there is a short business meeting at 8PM, followed at 830PM by a presentation lasting approximately an hour. Observations commence thereafter. Everyone is welcome to attend the Society's regular meetings and any special events. The public is encouraged to come to the observatory and look through the 14-inch Celestron telescope housed at the facility. Members of the Lima Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescope and answer questions. Programs can be arranged by appointment. Call for information.
Lima Fire Fighters Memorial Museum
Lincoln Park 1139 E. Elm Street, Lima
419-221-5164
www.limafiremuseum.org
www.cityhall.lima.oh.us/dept/fire/museum.asp
Guided tours available by appointment.
Learn about the heroic individuals who have served the Lima community over the last 150 years and see the photos, newspaper accounts, even the original equipment used to fight some of Lima's most devastating fires. See a beautifully sculpted statue in memoriam of those heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice to save others. Tours by reservation or fire fighters availability upon short notice.
John H. Keller Memorial Railway Exhibit
Lincoln Park 1139 E. Elm Street, Lima City of Lima Parks and Recreation
419-221-5195
Guided tours available by appointment.
On display at the Lincoln Park John H. Keller Memorial Lincoln Park Railway Exhibition is the Nickel Plate Road S-3, 2-8-4, #779 Berkshire, the NKP caboose #1091, and the NKP Business Car #5. The 779 was the last of the Berks built for the Nickel Plate, leaving the Lima Locomotive Works for the NKP in 1949.
Tilton Farm
6555 Madden Road, Lima
419-648-6835
Open May-October for tours, parties, receptions, and meetings by reservation.
As you enter the gate and travel the winding path, imagine yourself taking a step back in time. A time of peace and quiet on the open plains where the buffalo once roamed. Traveling around the 7-acre quarry, prepare yourself for a journey into the days of your forefathers. View collections including authentic Civil War artifacts and a room-sized ¾ inch scale circus.
Veterans Freedom Flag Monument
(Maintained by the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Parks District)
1191 Buckeye Road, Lima
419-221-7070
Located adjacent to the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, the Veterans Memorial Freedom Flag Monument stands proud to salute, thank and honor all U.S. Veterans of the past, present and future. The Veterans Freedom Flag Monument is the largest known permanent flag monument in the United States. Each tower is made of red, white and blue granite “bricks” engraved to honor our nation’s Veterans. Visit the website for information on ordering bricks and additional facts about the monument. Speakers are available by appointment. Parking is available and handicap accessible.