Motts Military Museum

(photo credit)

Saturday it rained just about the entire day, which made it a great day to visit a museum. Motts Military Museum is in Groveport, Ohio, an area I don't visit much. I am a super fan of Groupon and the one I bought for the museum was about to expire after Saturday. I am really bad about cashing in the deals at the last possible minute. However, I am glad I waited so long because I managed to catch the founder of the museum. Warren Motts was giving tours personally. I am not sure how rare and special this is but it felt like I was a VIP. The museum covers The American Revolution, The Civil War and both World Wars into more recent wars. They have the second largest collection of Holocaust memorabilia as well as the second largest collection of memorabilia from 9/11. The Holocaust and  9/11 items are in storage until the museum can raise enough money for  proper displays but if you ask and there is enough staff present, you can get a quick look at some of these items. Unfortunately, my photos did not come out the greatest from my phone because of lighting issues; so a portion of my images are borrowed. Photos that aren't mine have credits attached.

 Mr. Motts personally took us out to a hanger size building where he opened the doors revealing a caved in fire truck from 9/11. The truck belonged to Ladder 18 and was crushed under the second tower of the World Trade Center. He explained that he was raising money to create a 9/11 display that would also include the marble floors from the World Trade Center, so that you can stand on the floors of the World Trade Center while looking at the truck and other 9/11 memorabilia. This was the highlight of my experience. I took photos in front of the truck but couldn't allow myself to smile because of the seriousness of the display. Though no one died in the fire truck; the two firemen who were manning the truck survived after diving underneath it before the tower fell. Somehow, the tires held up and gave the men shelter from the falling building.

As someone who studied fashion, I found myself paying extra special attention to uniforms and clothing items. There is a wedding dress displayed made from a parachute from WWII. There was also a section of the personal Presidential plates used in the White House from the terms of Presidents like Grant, Monroe, Jackson and Lincoln.

Those who love the big toys and war machines, there are the normal things that you'd expect to see at a military museum. There are guns from just about all the wars represented. There are vehicles like tanks and jeeps. There are planes,  helicopters and a boat. 

Other displays of interest are the NASA Exhibit, a Medals Exhibit, POW Exhibit and a  life size replica of the childhood home of Eddie Rickenbacker. The replica home has some original items and is set up as it was during his childhood, with help from family members.

Replica of Eddie Rickenbaker's Childhood Home (photo credit)

 A rainy day doesn't have to to be a bust or a day shut inside. I love being outside but the rain gave me a reason to check out another great museum that I almost postponed visiting. The Motts Military Museum has something for everyone. If you aren't into military memorabilia or history, there are presidential items, uniforms that both men and women wore during those historic times and machines you barely ever see close up. Check it out this summer or when you get the chance!

 Until next time,
Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous!
Kris,

101 Cool Places And Things In Ohio (Part II 11-20)

Thank you to those who have returned to check out the second part of my very long list of Ohio attractions, you can skip the next paragraph! For those who missed the first part of my list,you should read the next paragraph. It explains what this list is all about. Thank you to you as well!

If you have been following me on instagram @krisofohio, you have seen my daily posts since the first day of spring. I have posted a month's worth of cool places and things in Ohio using #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio. These posts have included Ohio attractions that have made World and National best lists, places off the beaten path and exceptional Ohio brands. I have 71 days of posts left to go. This is where I plan to slow it down. I have posted a good portion of my favorite places and things in Ohio, but now I need to do some more exploring. On this post you will find the second group of ten attractions from my list and I will be adding to my list throughout the rest of the year. Feel free to help me with suggestions to complete the list. Leave your favorite Ohio attractions in my comments and they may just make my list. To the Ohio tourist, whether you are visiting from out of state or a resident exploring your home state, there is so much to do in Ohio. Use my list to start your Ohio adventure. I have posted only places I have experienced and all photos are mine unless otherwise specified.

Happy Exploring!

Kris, 

11. Room Escape Adventures/Trapped in a Room with a Zombie

 Columbus Idea Foundry
421 W. State Street
Columbus, OH 43215

 The company is based here in Ohio but have managed to provide escape adventures to many cities in the U.S and even a few cities abroad. This tells me, that people are excited about alternative options for entertainment. Something creative! If you want a different kind of date, special occasion activity or team building exercise; allow yourself to be locked in a room with a zombie that is chained to a wall with an hour to escape. Every five minutes the zombie's chain is released a foot until he or she is able to reach you in the last moments of that hour. That is, only if you aren't able to escape before then. Are you smarter than a zombie? Check out this show to see!

 

photo from room escape adventures site

  
12. Merry Go Round Museum 

301 Jackson Street

Sandusky,Ohio 44870

419.626.6111 

Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, this is one of the most beautiful museums in Ohio! Inside a former post office, built in the 1920s, you will find a collection of carousel animals including pieces from Cedar Point's past. The museum also has a collection of items that belonged to renowned carousel artist, Gustav Dentzel.The museum featured four carousal deer in the White House during the holidays, last year. A carousel ride is included with your ticket.

13. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Jeni's ice cream isn't just a treat, it is just a part of the daily lives of Columbus folk. Her stores are everywhere and when you think about ice cream, that is the place you go. Lines are around the corner all year long because she provides a culinary experience. The flavor combinations are interesting and unique and the Food Network's show 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate' agrees. This is not only one of the best ice cream spots in Ohio, it is possibly one of the best in the United States. She has stores in seven cities in six states.

14. The Warren G. Harding Home & Memorial

The Harding Home
380 Mt. Vernon Ave
Marion, Ohio 43302
740.387.9630
800.600.6894

The Harding Memorial
Delaware Ave 

The home and memorial of the 29th President of the United States is in Marion, Ohio. The home contains 5,000 original items used by the Harding family, including 300 items from the White House. The memorial is a Greek Ionic colonnade made of marble. It is the largest memorial to a president outside of Washington DC. At night it glows.

  
15. Slate Run Historical Farm
1375 State Route 674 N.
Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110

The park is part of the Metro Parks system of Central Ohio. When you visit the park, you are stepping back into the 1880s. The staff dresses in period clothing and farm chores are done as they were during that period of life. The farm includes many of the normal farm animals such as horses, cows, hogs and turkeys. There is a Gothic Revival farmhouse from 1856 that was restored to fit the era. Sign up to participate in weekly programs on the farm to get the best experience. The programs offer a hands on experience as a farmer for a day: feeding the animals, herding the sheep and whatever else needs to be done on a particular day.
 

16. Glacial Grooves State Memorial
Kelley's Island

Located on the north side of Kelley's Island, is the largest accessible example of glacial grooves left in the world. It measures 400ft long by 35ft wide. The native limestone contains marine fossils, some of which are 400 million years old. If you visit Kelley's Island, take a golf cart or bicycle to check out the natural wonder.

17. Put In Bay
 South Bass Island

This tourist spot has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years. In the 1800s it served as a base for Oliver Hazzard Perry. Besides it's ties to the War of 1812, it is also a cool place because of what it has to offer to all types of tourists. During the day, families can partake in activities like miniature golfing, butterfly watching or spelunking. At night PIB comes to life and the partying begins. People can bar hop at least a dozen bar including the Beer Barrel Saloon (the longest bar in the world). Take a short ferry ride and you are there!

18. Young's Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
937.325.0629 

This is one of my personal favorite ice cream destinations because the ice cream is made from a 15% butterfat mix. This is higher butterfat mixture than most use, so the product is richer in taste. It is made at the dairy farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The place offers two food option. The Dairy Store serves burgers and fried cheese curds or you can get country style dishes like buttermilk chicken and beef and noodles at The Golden Jersey Inn. This is a great place to spend the day with the family because there is plenty to do. You can utilize the batting cages, driving range and play miniature golf. There are also kiddie rides and a petting zoo where you can feed farm animals.

19. Wyandot Popcorn Museum
 169 E. Church St.
Marion, OH 43302 
740.387.4255

This museum is very unique because it is all about popcorn history.  At this museum you will find the largest collection of popcorn poppers and peanut roasters, specifically the largest collection of restored popcorn antiques. The museum is one of two popcorn museums in the world. It is located under a circus tent inside Marion's Heritage Hall. A free box of popcorn come with admission.
 

20. AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame
13515 Yarmouth Dr.
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
614.856.2222

If you love motorcycles, this museum is all about motorcycle history. The exhibits include: bikes from the oldest U.S motorcycle brand (Indian Motorcycles), a section on Evil Knievel including a replica of his Harley Davidson and a police motorcycle from the movie Terminator 2. You can view the very first motorcycles built to recent electric models. There is a biker inspired art exhibit that ends early May. 

I have covered twenty places from my list. I will post the next ten tomorrow. If you are interested in checking out the rest of my list before then, follow me or visit my instagram page @krisofohio. You can also look up #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio in the instagram hashtag search.

Be blessed! Be free! Be Adventurous!
Kris,