Kelton House Museum and Garden, 586 East Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, 614-464-2022; A Service of the Junior League of Columbus, Inc. Kelton House Museum and Garden collection: Antique Santa.Kelton House Museum and Garden collection: Antique printed Santa ornament with horse-hair body. Kelton House Museum and Garden collection: Antique printed Santa ornament with horse-hair body. Kelton House Museum and Garden: Dining Room with July 4th decorations. Kelton House Museum and Garden collection: Silver bell. Kelton House Museum and Garden: Exterior view of Kelton House, 586 East Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, 614-464-2022.



Programs at the Kelton House Museum & Garden

Kelton House Museum and Garden: Two docents are joined by two Civil War re-enactors in front of the Underground Railroad Historic Site marker facing East Town Street.
Initial capital letter T in Duc De Berry typeface.
he Junior League of Columbus maintains Kelton House for educational purposes
, including field trips for students. Authentically costumed docents guide guests through the home and recount stories of the many Kelton family members and the house’s history.

Initial capital letter A in Duc De Berry typeface.
tour of Kelton House, led by a docent in Victorian dress, opens a door to the Victorian way of life, genteel, orderly, and yet not so very distant. Savor what life was like in 19th-century Columbus, especially for the prominent family who lived here from 1852 to 1975. The Kelton House tour includes a discussion of the Keltons as abolitionists and their role in the Underground Railroad.


Guided tours for the public are given every Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Tours at other times may be arranged in advance by calling the Museum between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are interested in preservation, education, or the excitement of being part of a living piece of Civil War-era history, call (614) 464-2022 to become a Friend of the Kelton House.


Kelton House Seasonal Tours & Events


Seasonal tours highlight holidays and customs beloved to the Victorians. In February, we explore courtship, love, and marriage. Queen Victoria’s birthday is celebrated at a tea in May. October brings ghostly doings, as we look at the 19th-century fascination with spirits.

True to Victorian custom, house decorations push the limits of gilding the lily during special holiday open houses. Every year the Kelton House is decked out in its holiday best. Table top trees, an abundance of hanging garland and specialty decorations are everywhere! Not only the sights and sounds, but the smells of freshly-made pomander balls and a spiced Christmas punch make a visit to the Kelton House a lasting memory and a holiday tradition. Holiday activities for adults and children are offered in conjunction with these tours.


Visit Kelton House

The Kelton House Museum is open for tours every Sunday, except holidays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Kelton House is shown during the week by appointment to groups of six or more. Please contact Kelton House Special Events Coordinator Linda Swingle at (614) 464-2022 to make arrangements for a group tour.

Tour cost: $6.00 per adult; $4.00 per senior citizen; $2.00 per child 6 - 18 years old.



Second Sundays at Kelton House: 2008-2009 Calendar

Trails of Hope
A series of historical re-enactments depicting the struggles for freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009

Performances are at 2:00 p.m. and at 3:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month.
Tickets are $6 per adult; $4 per senior citizen; $2 per child age 6 and over.
Reservations are not required.

The "Trails of Hope" performances are generously supported by CHASE.




2007-2008 Programs at the Kelton House Museum & Garden

Runner: The Quest for Ohio
For children ages 4-12
Sunday, September 16, 2007
3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free event, but reservations are required; RSVP by September 13, 2007 at 614.464.2022 or at keltonhouse@cs.com

Angela T. Powell, M.D., will read Runner: The Quest for Ohio, an Underground Railroad tale written by Terri Cartwright. Children 4-12 will then create freedom dioramas that make real a fugitive's escape from bondage using found objects and natural elements. Dr. Powell will also present and discuss her dioramas and quilts. Free event, but reservations are required.


The Kelton House in Holiday Splendor: The Michael Girard Collection
The month of December, 2007
Hours: Sundays 1-4 p.m.; Fridays, 12 noon - 2 p.m.
Cost: $6 per adult; $4 for senior citizens; $2 for children 6 and over; Free to Friends of Kelton House

The Kelton House is again proud to present an exhibit of 19th- and early 20th-century holiday ornaments from the collection of Michael Girard. See feather trees, handmade scrap ornaments with tinsel and spun glass, early glass ornaments, cardboard villages, and Belschnickles (German Santa figures).

The Kelton House Museum is open for tours every Sunday (except holidays) from 1 to 4 p.m. A costumed docent leads visitors through the Museum and tells the story of the Kelton family and holiday traditions in the context of 19th-century Columbus life. In addition, during the month of December, the Museum has extended hours on Fridays from 12 noon– 2 p.m.

For more information, call the Kelton House at 464-2022. Cost per person for the tour is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $2 for children 6 and over. Free to Friends of Kelton House.


Friends of Kelton House Annual Brunch
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Brunch 12:30 p.m.
Lecture 2:00 p.m.
The Brunch is a free Members only event.
The Lecture may be attended by non-members; cost is $10 per person.



Mid-Winter Dinner and Fundraiser
Saturday, February 23, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Elegant and more Elegant. Limited to 48 lucky people.
Call 614-464-2022 for details.


Beatrix Potter Comes to Life
Sunday, March 2, 2008
2:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person; Free to Friends of Kelton House
Meet all these faces of Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit, performed by Bobbie Sue Grenerth.



The History of Rings

Sunday, April 6, 2008
Time: To be Determined
Cost: $10 per person; Free to Friends of Kelton House
Kelly Malec-Kosac leads a discussion of historical jewelry. Call 614-464-2022 for details.


Garden Party on the River Seine

Saturday, June 7, 2008
Limited Attendance.
Georgeanne and Mike Reuter invite you for wine in the garden at their home on River Seine Street. Call 614-464-2022 for details.


Meeting the Kelton Family: Greenlawn Cemetery Program
Sunday, June 22, 2008
2 p.m.
Speaker: Chuck Miller. Volunteers in costume become Anna, Oscar, Ella, Edwin, Arthur and Frank Kelton. Hear their stories and stroll the grounds of historic Greenlawn Cemetery. Call 614-464-2022 for details.



Victorian Tea at Kelton House: 2008-2009 Calendar


Wednesday, August 13, 2008 — Summer Bounty Tea
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 — English Tea
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 — Harvest Tea
Sunday, December 14, 2008 — Christmas Tea
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 — Christmas Tea
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 — Valentine Tea
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 — St. Patrick's Day Tea
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 — April Showers Tea
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 — May Flowers Tea
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 — Summer Social Tea  

Each Tea begins at 12:30 p.m. and concludes by 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 per person; $13 for Friends of the Kelton House
Reservations are required.


Throughout the year, the Kelton House offers Victorian-inspired teas with a tasteful sampling of savories and sweets reminiscent of 19th century ladies’ get-togethers. The menu for each Tea is different, but is always accompanied by traditional Earl Gray tea.

Each Tea also includes a short educational program that usually reflects either the season or an object from the Kelton House Museum collection. Don’t be disappointed . . . make your reservations early.


Call Kelton House, (614) 464-2022, to get further information on upcoming teas.




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