Ohio Museums Association’s 2024 Saturday Conference Island Tours

April 13, 2023  -  9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Coming to Sandusky a little early for OMA 2024?
Or, not able to make it to the full OMA conference but still want a great OMA 2024 experience?

See more of the region and join us Saturday, April 13 for a full day of exploration and fun at six amazing museums on Lake Erie's South Bass Island!

The day will start at the Miller Ferry Port Clinton Dock, 5174 Water St., Port Clinton, OH 43452.
Please note: The Miller Ferry dock is approximately a 30 minute (26 mile) drive from OMA 2024 Conference Headquarters, Sawmill Creek Resort. Transportation to and from Sawmill Creek is NOT provided as part of the Saturday Island tour, and will be the responsibility of the attendee.

Participants will board the 9:30a.m. ferry to Put-In-Bay. After a short, 18 minute trip across Lake Erie to South Bass Island, we'll hop aboard our own private Island Bus for a day of exploration. Tour stops will include:

 South Bass Lighthouse – 10:00am – 10:30am

Discover information about the history of the South Bass Island Lighthouse and its lightkeepers, before accessing the top of the lighthouse tower to see an expansive view of Put-in-Bay. Attendees can learn more historic information at kiosks about the grounds and lighthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

OSU Stone Lab's Wet Lab Research Facility – 10:40am – 11:10am

Come take a peek inside Stone Lab’s research facilities on South Bass Island. The Wet Lab is used by scientists for research on harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie as, as well as fish and wildlife studies that investigate impacts of climate and water quality change. You can also visit the brand new, state-of-the-art outdoor Mesocosm facility, which is used to conduct experiments on Lake Erie’s water quality.

Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial – 11:15am – 12:15pm

Our third stop is the island's iconic Perry's Monument, where attendees can explore the visitor center, view an 1812-era musket demonstration, and explore the historic rotunda where officers were reinterned in 1913.

Lunch in beautiful downtown Put-In-Bay – 12:15pm – 1:15pm

Duff Homestead and Bayfront Preserve – 1:30pm – 2:25pm

Purchased by the Put-in-Bay Township Park District in 2022, the historic Duff Homestead and Bayfront Preserve is in the process of an exciting restoration. The 6.5 acre property includes historic outbuildings such as a chicken coop, summer kitchen and historic farm equipment, as well as a walking path around 2 acres of pollinator habitat and 2 acres of woods. Attendees can tour the grounds and learn about plans the Park District and Lake Erie Islands Conservatory have to create a working farm park with 10 additional acres of vineyards and historic buildings, as well as a visitor contact station. 

Lake Erie Historical Society – 2:30pm – 3:25pm

The Lake Erie Historical Society includes four buildings of over 6,000 square feet, including a research library and history archives. Attendees can explore these spaces and see the permanent and rotating exhibits that have educated locals and visitors to the island since it's founding in 1975.

Lake Erie Island Nature & Wildlife Center – 3:30pm – 4:30pm

The Lake Erie  islands are home to hundreds of species of birds, and are the only place in the country where the federally threatened Lake Erie Watersnake can be found. Utilizing their unique location, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center provides a one of a kind ecological/educational experience for the 700,000+ visitors that come to South Bass Island each summer. Attendees will learn about local ecology and conservation efforts as they explore our final stop of our Island Tour.

5:00pm - Miller Ferry back to Port Clinton

Ticket cost: $60

Ticket includes: 

• Round-trip ferry ticket on Miller Ferry from Port Clinton to Put-In-Bay and back
• Transportation on South Bass Island
• Admission to all tour locations

Please note: ticket does not include transportation to or from Miller Ferry or lunch on the island. These are the responsibility of the attendee.

Please Note: As part of our OMA 2024 conference programming, the Saturday Conference Tours are subject to our Code of Conduct, Photo Policy, and Health Policy. Please click on the policy names above to see the full policies in place for OMA 2024.

Click here for complete OMA 2024 conference information.

Ohio Museums Association’s 2024 Saturday Conference Shore Tours

April 13, 2023  -  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Coming to Sandusky a little early for OMA 2024?
Or, not able to make it to the full OMA conference but still want a great OMA 2024 experience?

See more of the region and join us Saturday, April 13 for a full day of exploration and fun at six amazing museums along the Lake Erie coast!

This tour-and-drive-on-your-own opportunity allows attendees to make their own schedule and map their own trip as they explore area museums around the shoreline.

Attendees can show their registration confirmation at any of the museums below during their operating hours on Saturday, April 13 for free admission!

Shore West

Liberty Aviation Museum - open 10:00am-5:00pm

The Liberty Aviation Museum acquires, restores, operates, preserves, educates and displays historic aircraft, vehicles and related items. Guests can explore their main hanger, expansion hanger, boathouse, and WWII gallery.  

Catawba Island Historical Society – open 10:00am – 12:00pm

Founded in 2017, the Catawba Island Historical Society lives in the historic, 1888 Union Chapel. Visitors to the museum can learn why the peninsula is called an island, the origin of the Catawba name, who Besty Mo-John was and more.

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums – open 9:00am – 5:00pm

Visitors to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums can explore multiple locations on the 25-acre estate, now a recognized level 1 arboretum. Tour the 31-room Hayes Home, see the permanent and rotating exhibits on the museum’s two floors, and explore the extensive research library.

Shore East

Vermilion History Museum - open 10:00am-2:00pm

Visitors to this 1904 building that houses the Vermilion History Museum can explore the ground floor featuring a glimpse into an early 20^th century printshop including a front office, a bindery room, typesetting machines and letterpresses. The upper floor includes artifacts from the family that once owned and operated the printshop, as well as objects that reflect the rich history of the community.

Lorain Historical Society – open 10:00am – 3:00pm

The Lorain Historical Society is the home of two historic buildings: the Carnegie Center and the Moore House. Since being built as a Carnegie Library, the Carnegie Center has been repurposed with permanent exhibits, archive, children’s room, and programming space. The Moore House is undergoing a transition from being a traditional house museum to becoming a space better suited for collections storage, programming, and behind the scenes tours. Talk to staff about the inspiration for this new use and see the progress that has been made to date.

Oberlin Heritage Center – open 10:00am – 3:00pm

Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Oberlin Heritage Center’s 1866 Monroe House, exploring stories that outline Oberlin's founding, the college's promise of co-education, the community's commitment to abolition, and more. Or, take a guided 45 minute tour of the first floor of the 1866 Monroe House and the 1836 Little Red Schoolhouse at either 10:30am or 1:30 pm. Hear about the events and individuals that shaped Oberlin’s first one hundred years. Topics include Oberlin's beginnings as a Christian Perfectionist community and its philosophies on education, abolition, integration, and more.

Lorain Lighthouse – interior not open for tours, but can be viewed from shore

The 2024 conference takes place before the Lorain Lighthouse will be open for the season, however the iconic lighthouse can be viewed from Lakeview Park (1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052) and Lorain's Mile Long Pier (Lorain, OH 44052).

Ticket cost: $10

Please note: ticket does not include transportation to or from any of the museum locations. This is a drive-and-explore-on-your-own opportunity and transportation is the responsibility of the attendee.

Please Note: As part of our OMA 2024 conference programming, the Saturday Conference Tours are subject to our Code of Conduct, Photo Policy, and Health Policy. Please click on the policy names above to see the full policies in place for OMA 2024.

Click here for complete OMA 2024 conference information.