Ohio Open Doors: Brown Bag Lunch “Past, Present & Future of the Freer Children’s Home”
September 17 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Known by some as the ‘big white house with tall pillars,’ the Freer Children’s Home is the newest buildings under the care of the Ashland County Historical Society (ACHS). But, what many don’t know is its nearly 160 year history has been preserved, adapted, and is now a
place for county-wide history to come to life. Join the ACHS staff for this brown bag lunch and guided tour experience to learn about the robust history of the former Children’s Home for Ashland County, its transformation from a simple farmhouse to county orphanage and juvenile detention center and county offices. Explore the adaptive reuse and renovation ACHS undertook to preserve this important place in our county and region’s history, and the steps it took to have it listed to the National Register of Historic Places.
place for county-wide history to come to life. Join the ACHS staff for this brown bag lunch and guided tour experience to learn about the robust history of the former Children’s Home for Ashland County, its transformation from a simple farmhouse to county orphanage and juvenile detention center and county offices. Explore the adaptive reuse and renovation ACHS undertook to preserve this important place in our county and region’s history, and the steps it took to have it listed to the National Register of Historic Places.Here’s what to expect at the free event part of Ohio Open Doors 2026:
- 11:00 a.m. – free guided and self-guided tour of the Freer
Children’s Home exhibits - 12:oo p.m. – Presentation: “Past, Present, & Future of the Freer Children’s Home
- 1:00 p.m. – free guided and self-guided tour of the Freer Children’s Home exhibits
The event is free, but registration is requested to ensure ample seating and staffing is available. Visit www.ashlandhistory.org
or call 419-289-3111 for more information.
ACHS staff will provide a glimpse into the building’s adapted reuse from the former Children’s Home for Ashland County, Juvenile Detention Facility, and county offices into the updated county-wide focused museum!
ABOUT OHIO OPEN DOORS
The Ohio History Connection created Ohio Open Doors in 2016 to promote and inspire pride in Ohio’s heritage and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Oct. 15, 1966, the Act has proven instrumental in transforming communities from coast to coast, establishing the legal framework and incentives to preserve historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites. It drives economic revitalization by attracting investment, supporting small business, stabilizing neighborhoods and creating jobs.
Ohio Open Doors partner organizations include America 250-Ohio, Heritage Ohio, Ohio Local History Alliance, Ohio Museums Association, Ohio Travel Association, and TourismOhio.