Uncover History

Pickaway County has an active and vibrant Historical Society, which has resulted in the preservation of myriad cherished landmarks in our community. Due to the dedication and hard work of this organization, residents and tourists can visit a number of fine facilities that are operated and maintained by the society. For more information, visit www.pickawayhistory.org.

Deer Creek Dam

Ohio & Erie Canal Park

Ohio & Erie Canal Park This 2.3-mile-long section of the Ohio and Erie Canal has been restored by the society as a historical, educational and recreational park, featuring a shelter house and towpath trail.

Clarke May Museum Located in the house built by Dr. and Mrs. Edward C. Clarke during the 1840s, this exhibit contains Native American artifacts, military uniforms and historical women’s attire, along with hand-tinted lithographs detailing Ohio wildlife. The museum recently received artifacts from the Rex Haecker and the Mary Virginia Hannan estates. It also houses the Pickaway County Historical Society.

Pickaway County Historical and Genealogical Library This library features genealogy and historical records, photos, ledgers, diaries, newspaper clippings and probate archives

Ted Lewis Museum

Celebrating the life and preserving the legacy of Circleville’s own Ted Lewis by making everybody happy through education and entertainment.

Founded in 1977 by Lewis’ widow, Adah Becker Lewis, the Ted Lewis Museum pays tribute to one of Ohio’s greatest citizens and one of the most influential entertainers of all time. The museum holds and exhibits Ted Lewis’ archives, memorabilia and music library in the only remaining edifice that stood within the original circle of Circleville. Upon Ted Lewis’ passing, the Smithsonian Institute, Yale and Harvard University all asked for Ted’s collection, but his widow Adah made sure that everything was donated back to his hometown, which Ted fondly referred to as “The Capital of the World.” Admission to the museum is free and it hosts thousands of visitors from around the world.

Open Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm Special tours available 133 W. Main St., Circleville 740-477-3630 www.tedlewismuseum.org pertaining to Pickaway County. The library is run by the Pickaway County Historical Society and offers many programs for residents and visitors to learn more about Pickaway County’s past.

Mount Oval Listed in the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places and recognized for its unique architecture among early Ohio homes, this structure was erected in 1832 by William and Jane Boggs Renick. The floor plan bears a resemblance to Thomas Jefferson’s garden house at Monticello, with a large central ballroom and three corner bedrooms. It remains as a working farm and is used for agricultural education.

Ohio’s Small Town Museum Home to the world’s oldest working traffic light, Ohio’s Small Town Museum in Ashville, is a tribute to what volunteers and folks committed to saving local history can do. With no real budget, the museum has sustained itself for more than 30 years. Named one of the Top 25 Museums by New Roadside American, it is a mixture of the commonplace and the usual, attracting visitors from the United States and around the world. Displays include one that features silver nuggets unearthed at the Snake Den Mounds, and another that spotlights Buster, “the Dog Who Voted Republican.” A stuffed rooster now on display, while alive, would take a dime in his beak and strut to the store to pay for his own corn!

Mount Oval

If you have questions about your veteran’s benefits or are in need of assistance, make an appointment and come in to see an accredited service officer or our financial assistance investigator.

Our office can help you with the following:

• Transportation to VA appointments • Disabilities Compensation Claims • Non-Service Connected Pension • Survivor Benefits • Indigent Burial Assistance • Vet Center Counseling • Claims Appeals • Financial Assistance • Veteran’s ID Card and more!