Events, Programs & Exhibits
Haunting History Tours of Lyons - October 24 & 25
Get out and discover a spookier side of Fulton County this fall during the Museum of Fulton County’s annual Haunting History Tours. Take an evening walk through Lyons, Ohio on October 24 or 25 to discover tales of local people, haunting places, and little-known events in Fulton County.
“Our annual Haunting History Tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the haunting history of your own backyard,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Fulton County Museum. “As we venture through the streets of the Village of Lyons, we will share unusual and sometimes spooky stories about people from the past including stories about Phillip’s Corners, the Toledo War, a local inventor, and even a bank robbery!”
The 2025 Haunting History Tours will be held on Friday, October 24 or Saturday, October 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The walking tours will begin at the Lyons Depot Museum at 136 West Morenci Street and will follow a route throughout the Village of Lyons. The hour-long tours will take off every 15 minutes, starting at 6:30 p.m. Each tour makes six stops along the way, but the walk is filled with even more history, hauntings, and great stories from the past.
“Our expert guides will be sharing historically accurate information along with legends that we have been told by word of mouth,” Swearingen added. “It often seems that truth is stranger than fiction and these true stories can often be unexplained, funny, weird, or even seem ‘haunting’.”
Prepaid reservations are required for the Haunting History Tours. Tickets are $20 for adults. A 10 percent discount is available for members when purchasing tickets in person or by phone. Tickets are available for purchase online, at the museum, or by calling 419.337.7922. The Haunting History tours are held rain or shine, and the tour tickets are non-refundable.
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EXHIBIT - Born in Turmoil - NOW OPEN!
To celebrate the 175th anniversary of Fulton County’s founding, a spectacular exhibit is now open at the Museum of Fulton County. The new “Born In Turmoil” exhibit brings the county’s beginning years to life as museum guests learn how Fulton County survived the crisis of the Civil War.
While exploring this temporary exhibit in the Worthington Gallery, visitors will meet Fulton County residents both on the farm and on the battle lines and experience those years through their eyes and the museum’s vast collection.
“Through patriotism, conflict, sacrifice, victory, loss and generosity, the future of 4,000 residents and even today’s residents was changed forever,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County. “Guests are sure to be inspired by this new exhibit at the museum!”
Another highlight of the new exhibit is the opportunity to hear actual transcripts of letters written during the Civil War. As part of the audio cell phone tour, guests will be guided through time as they hear a fascinating, first-hand story of the Borton family and their sons on the front line.
“As guests listen to the audio tour, they will hear two actual transcripts of the Borton letters,” Swearingen added. “These letters were mailed to family members during the war on the same week but neither received their letters. Join us to find out why!”
This new exhibit will be open throughout 2026. Admission to the “Born In Turmoil” exhibit is included with a general admission ticket to the museum.
EXHIBIT - We The People of Fulton County
To celebrate the 175th anniversary of Fulton County’s founding, an exciting new exhibit is open at the Museum of Fulton County. The new “We The People of Fulton County” exhibit highlights the ten largest groups of immigrants that came to Fulton County to make a new life.
Using mannequins in period clothing, artifacts, quilts, and photographs, stories are shared of the immigrant families who were registered in the Federal Census between 1850 and 1950. Guests are encouraged to visit the Spiess Research room to access online genealogy resources and genealogy forms are available for families to take home to work on their family tree. The new exhibit also features a flag flash card game for children, as well as a guest book and world map for people to record what country their ancestors came from. A look at the culinary history of immigrant families is also offered with a new cookbook, “The Immigrant’s Table,” published as part of this project. The cookbook is available for purchase online or at the Legacy Gift Shop.
“This new exhibit encourages guests to think about who they are, where they came from, and why it matters,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County. “The exhibit explores who our ancestral residents were, their cultural backgrounds, and their motivations to live in Fulton County.”
Created in partnership with the Fulton County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, this new exhibit will be open throughout the anniversary year of the county. Several special events and genealogical society programs are planned for next year to augment the exhibit’s topics. Information about upcoming events will be shared online at museumoffultoncounty.org/upcoming-events
“When we know where we come from, we better understand why Fulton County is distinct from the other 87 counties of Ohio,” Swearingen added. “We look forward to having guests explore this new exhibit and join us throughout 2025 for special programs focused on genealogy, immigrant lands of origin, and the lives of our ancestors once they arrived in Fulton County.”
Admission to the “We The People of Fulton County” exhibit is included with a general admission ticket to the museum.
