The Westerville History Museum connects you to historical collections and learning experiences. Westerville’s anti-alcohol efforts shaped the course of American history and gave the community a unique legacy. Deepen your understanding of your community and its place in the world.
Exhibits
Williams Grill: 1887-1975
Examine nearly a century of innovation and social change through the lens of this beloved Westerville restaurant.
Dry Capital of the World
Find out how Westerville became the “dry capital of the world” through the efforts of the Anti-Saloon League in its heyday.
Ohio Is Home to Ancient Earthworks
Nov 14, 2024
Between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago, people now referred to as the Hopewell Culture built enormous earthworks in the land we call Ohio.
Westerville Division of Water
Jun 24, 2024
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Westerville's water treatment plant. Special thanks to Westerville Division of Water.
Anti-Saloon League (Virtual Exhibit)
A national temperance organization with Westerville roots, learn how it influenced the US passage of the Prohibition Amendment.
Breaking the Ice: Trailblazing Women of Westerville
For over 200 years, women with passion, persistence, and courage have shaped the course of Westerville's history. (Virtual Exhibit)
Self-Guided Walking Tours
Step back in time with a self-guided walking tour. Features 40+ points of interest. View on a browser or download the app.
Collection
The Westerville History Museum collection includes over 50,000 images and scanned documents related to Westerville, Ohio - from the 1800s to present day. Includes images of prominent leaders in the community, Westerville-area landmarks, aerial views, high school classes, former businesses, houses, and more.
Browse by Topic
Anti-Saloon League
Browse publications & interoffice correspondence of the Anti-Saloon League, a major force in the Prohibition movement in the early 1900s.
Black History
Learn about over 200 years of Black history in Westerville, from education and religion to business and politics.
Hanby Collection (Westerville Historical Society)
Browse the research collection of Dacia Shoemaker, the preservationist who saved Hanby House. Courtesy of Westerville Historical Society.
Historic Photographs
From the late 1800s to today, discover historic photographs of people, buildings, and events in Westerville, Ohio.
Historic Maps
From the 1800s to today, view historic maps of Westerville and the surrounding area.
John R. Kasich
Congressman. Governor. Neighbor. Ohio politician John Kasich made Westerville his home. Browse congressional & senate papers.
Obituaries
From 1880 to the present, learn about the lives of Westerville residents with this collection of local obituaries.
Oral Histories
Hear memories about Westerville from the people who lived here, in their own words.
Temperance and Prohibition Movement, 1830-1933
Discover the records and publications of one of the most influential forces for social reform during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Underground Railroad
Learn how freedom seekers self-emancipated and journeyed through Westerville on their quest for freedom from slavery.
Wedding Announcements
From 1880 to the present, learn about who got married with this collection of local wedding announcements.
View All Digitized Records
Explore over 50,000 scanned images, newspaper articles, and other documents about Westerville history.
View All Records
Dig into the past with historical records about local civic organizations, buildings, homes, churches, city departments, and schools.
Museum Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9am-6pm
Closed on Saturday: 1-2pm
Closed on Sunday
To view current exhibits, walk-in visitors welcome during open hours.
For research or access to physical collections, please make an appointment.
The museum’s mission is to preserve and share Westerville’s history through its collections of national and local interest. Every year, over 12,000 people visit the museum and have a chance to interact with the collections through exhibitions, programming, and research. The museum is in a wing of the library that was originally built in the 1850s as a home. The building later became an office space for a national temperance organization called the Anti-Saloon League (ASL), a group that successfully lobbied for Prohibition in the early 1900s. The ASL donated the building and its contents to the library in 1973, which eventually became the basis for the museum.
Haunted Westerville (Free Activity for Pickup)
Oct 1st - Oct 31st | 9:00am - 6:00pm
Investigate the haunted history of six Uptown Westerville sites with a self-guided tour. Use clues along the way to solve the puzzle.…
Haunted Westerville (Free Activity for Pickup)
Oct 1st - Oct 31st | 9:00am - 6:00pm
Investigate the haunted history of six Uptown Westerville sites with a self-guided tour. Use clues along the way to solve the puzzle.…
Available Services
Museum in a Box: American Indian Life & History
Teachers and students, enhance critical thinking skills and encourage engagement with history in exciting and creative ways.
Current Exhibits
Experience Westerville's past through the themed exhibitions of artifacts on display. Walk-ins welcome during museum hours.
Schedule a History Experience
Teachers, schedule a history experience for your K-12 students. Options: historic Uptown walking tour, Hanby House, classroom presentations.
Donate to the Westerville History Museum
Learn how to donate an item of historical interest to the Westerville community and surrounding areas.
Racism in Westerville History (Toolkit)
Delve into specific historic examples of racism and anti-racism in Westerville over the past 200 years. Intended for high school age & up.
Explore the Curriculum Guides
Explore historical topics of local interest to third graders. Includes activity sheets and historical information about Westerville.
Download the Walking Tours App
Step back in time with a self-guided walking tour. Features 40+ points of interest. View on a browser or download the app.
Amplify Westerville Voices
Designed to encourage conversations, foster empathy, and identify patterns and paths to change. All stories welcome.
Follow Us
Collection’s Celebrated Comeback | The Westerville News
Anti-Saloon League Archives Return to Westerville After 50 Years in State Storage
Ohio Town That Launched Whiskey War | Saturday Evening Post
Westerville became the heart of the Prohibition movement, deploying everything from hymns to bombs to keep their town dry.
Bringing Home Anti-Saloon League Items with $13,827 Grant
Nov 14, 2024
After more than 50 years, it’s time to bring more than 600-linear-feet of materials back to the library and museum.
Westerville History Museum improves access to collections
Jun 07, 2024
The collection includes over 50,000 images and scanned documents from the 1800s to present day.
Collection’s Celebrated Comeback | The Westerville News
Anti-Saloon League Archives Return to Westerville After 50 Years in State Storage
Ohio Town That Launched Whiskey War | Saturday Evening Post
Westerville became the heart of the Prohibition movement, deploying everything from hymns to bombs to keep their town dry.
Bringing Home Anti-Saloon League Items with $13,827 Grant
Nov 14, 2024
After more than 50 years, it’s time to bring more than 600-linear-feet of materials back to the library and museum.
Westerville History Museum improves access to collections
Jun 07, 2024
The collection includes over 50,000 images and scanned documents from the 1800s to present day.
Jackie B.
Jackie has made a career of working with communities to tell their stories and preserve their history.
Jim S.
Jim loves digging into the archives of historic maps and news in the Westerville History Museum.
Katy K.
Katy loves bringing history to life, getting hands-on with artifacts, and helping people discover meaning and relevance in the past.
Kaitlin S.
Kaitlin is passionate about helping the Westerville Public Library remain strong for future generations.
Jackie B.
Jackie has made a career of working with communities to tell their stories and preserve their history.
Jim S.
Jim loves digging into the archives of historic maps and news in the Westerville History Museum.
Katy K.
Katy loves bringing history to life, getting hands-on with artifacts, and helping people discover meaning and relevance in the past.
Kaitlin S.
Kaitlin is passionate about helping the Westerville Public Library remain strong for future generations.
