Events, Programs & Exhibits
Valentine Tea - Civil War Love Letters
A traditional Valentine Tea will be held on Saturday, February 14 at the History Manor in Wauseon. Registered guests are invited to gather with friends to enjoy tea, tasty treats, and romantic stories from the Civil War era during this popular afternoon event.
Presented by the Museum of Fulton County, the Valentine Tea offers guests an opportunity to taste fine teas, homemade scones, luncheon sandwiches, and delicious desserts in a delightful, vintage setting.
“Guests are sure to be enamored by romantic stories from Civil War love letters as they enjoy a traditional tea at our History Manor,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County. “Our holiday teas are a perfect time to sip tea, laugh, and create special memories with your daughter, granddaughter, or special friends.”
Guests can register to attend the Valentine Tea at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 14. Reservations and prepayment are required since seating is limited for this special event at the History Manor located at 229 Monroe St. in Wauseon. Tickets are $25, and are available for purchase online, at the museum, or by calling 419.337.7922. A 10 percent member discount is available when ordering in person or over the phone. Valentine Tea tickets are non-refundable.
Other upcoming events planned at the Museum of Fulton County include Senior Discovery Days (third Thursday of every month), a genealogy workshop on March 9 and the Murder at the Museum event on April 18! Artful Academy adult painting classes are also planned monthly at the museum. Additional event information can be found online at https://www.museumoffultoncounty.org/upcoming-events. Event tickets are available for purchase online, at the museum, or by calling 419.337.7922.
PROGRAM - Senior Discovery Days
Gather with friends for a field trip close to home to experience the joy of learning from specialists in the field of local history. Museum Senior Discovery Days are open to all seniors age 60 and over. A $5.00 fee includes admission to the Museum, light refreshments and a special program/activity/guided tour (actual value of the experience is $25 – what an amazing deal!). Pre-registration is required. To register please call 419.337.7922, stop by the museum, or make reservations at the Fulton County Senior Center (if needing transportation)
Dates: Third Thursday of every month
Time: 9:30-11:30 AM
Fee: $5.00
Program Schedule:
February 19 – Behind the Scenes Tour at the Museum - Join us to explore a museum exhibit from start to finish! Learn about the process of designing exhibits, caring for artifacts, planning events at the museum and more!
March 19 – New exhibit Tour: "13 Moons in 1776" and Ojibwa Dream Catcher Craft - Explore the new exhibit on Native American history and make your own dream catcher to take home!
April 16 – Become a History Detective Program - Learn some tips on how to view a museum exhibit and discover the story it is telling you! In this special program you will see how an exhibit is more than the objects on display!
May 21 – Barney Oldfield the Speed King Program
June 18 – The Great Museum Rally (scavenger hunt experience)
July 16 – America 250 Birthday Celebration
August 20 – The Libby Prison Woman Spy of the Civil War Program
September 17 – Indoor Gardening Then and Now Program
October 15 – Best of Fulton County Haunting History Stories
November 19 – Historic Holiday Sing-alongs at the Museum
Senior Discovery Days are part of a special partnership with the Fulton County Senior Center. Seniors are welcome to drive themselves, or if at least ten seniors sign up for bus transportation from the Fulton County Senior Center, the bus will transport you for an additional $3 per person, suggested donation, from 695 S. Shoop Ave., Wauseon. If you’re riding the bus, meet at 8:45 a.m. to leave on the bus at 9 a.m. Sign up by calling the Museum of Fulton County, 419-337-7922, or call the Fulton County Senior Center at 419-337-9299.
After returning to the Senior Center, why not stay for lunch to continue your conversations! Chances are that you'll eagerly make plans to come back to the museum next month for Senior Discovery Days!
FREE PROGRAM - Meet the Winameg Mastodon
The Museum of Fulton County invites guests to explore the Ice Age in northwest Ohio during a free program on January 23 at 7 p.m. During the “Meet the Winameg Mastodon” evening program, guests will learn about the elephant-like mammals that once roamed Ohio and view the unveiling of a 12,000-year-old mastodon bone recently donated to the museum!
“We’re pleased to have Dr. Margaret Mary Yacobucci, Professor of Geology at the School of Earth, Environment & Society at Bowling Green State University, joining us for this special program at our museum,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County. “Dr. Yacobucci will share about the environment of the glacial lake that once existed in Fulton County, the people who may have hunted these mammals, the discovery of the mastodon bones, and much more!
As part of her presentation, Dr. Yacobucci will share the fascinating story of how the mastodon bones in Winameg were found, excavated, and why they ended up at the University of Michigan. She will also discuss how our mastodon most likely originated near Indianapolis, IN, its likely relationship to the mastodon in the collection at BGSU, and what caused the bones of these massive mammals to be found in northwest Ohio.
A paleobiologist, Dr. Yacobucci studies ammonoid cephalopods, extinct relatives of modern nautilus and squid. She has been hooked on paleontology since she read a book about dinosaurs in kindergarten. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Geophysical Sciences from the University of Chicago, she completed her Ph.D. in Earth & Planetary Sciences at Harvard University and is currently a Professor of Geology at BGSU. Some of the courses she currently teaches include Life Through Time, The Geologic History of Dinosaurs, and a variety of Paleontology courses.
Thanks to a donation from the Spiess Research Center, the “Meet the Winameg Mastodon” program at the Museum of Fulton County is free and open to the public. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, the museum appreciates the support of donors and sponsors to help make events like this possible and continue the mission of the history museum.
Mastodon skeletons at University of Michigan.
Matching tibia to our museum’s new acquisition - at University of Michigan.
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.
