Polk: The First 100 Years
2025-06-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | OH
A retired public school teacher and lifelong resident of Polk, Craig Wiley has a keen interest in local history which began at an early age. From his earliest memories, he recalls hearing his grandparents and other community elders share stories of Polk and Rowsburg. Over the years he has continued to collect stories, facts, photographs, and other ephemera from these two villages and as a result has become somewhat of a local historian–albeit unofficial and unintentional. Wiley even served on the board of the Ashland County Historical Society in the late 1980s.

In 1996 Wiley purchased the derelict Polk Feed & Supply building and began restoring it with the goal/dream of eventually milling flour by steam power there again, as in the early 1880s when it was built. Patient research revealed a surprising amount of fascinating information about the mill’s early days, and Wiley’s industrial arts background enabled him to complete much of the extensive structural work himself. A busy schedule these past 30 years has slowed progress, but the dream of opening an authentic steam flouring mill is still within sight.

Wiley is an active member of the Polk Lions Club and the Polk United Methodist Church, where he has played the organ for 51 years. His greatest passion is teaching, and on many days, you will find him substituting in the Northwestern Local School District.

Trivia at Ohio Fire
2025-07-01 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-08-05 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-09-02 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-10-07 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-11-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Ohio Fire, 88 E. Main Street, Ashland, OH, 44805, United States
Join us at Ohio Fire for Trivia on the first Tuesday of every month except for December. Questions start promptly at 6:00 so be sure to arrive early for your team to get a slot before we start. Trivia is formatted with three rounds of 10 questions each.
Every team receives a packet with three sheets of answer slips worth 1-10 points for each round making a maximum score per round of 55. Final trivia is wager based meaning you can win or lose it all on the last question so bid wisely! The top three teams receive a generous gift card from Ohio Fire so if you win dinner may just be on us! We’ll go over a refresher of how it all works when you arrive.
Plan to arrive early to grab some amazing food, a drink, and pick your team name. We are excited to see you there so ready your brains for trivia and your stomachs for pizza!

Holiday Planning Volunteer Meeting
2025-08-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Freer Home, 1260 Center Street, Ashland, OH, 44805, United States
The Holiday season is almost here, and we have a large slate ahead of us! At this volunteer meeting, we will decide which rooms to decorate for Halloween and Christmas and which decorations folks would like to use. If you are interested in helping with Halloween or Christmas by decorating or working the event, this is for you! We will also be going over the cemetery walk, which we will need plenty of help with, too. Use the links below to sign up for a room and decorations for Halloween and Christmas.
Halloween Decorating Form
Christmas Decorating Form
Please let us know if you have any questions and if you plan to attend by emailing achs@ashlandhistory.org or calling 419-289-3111 to RSVP. Can’t wait to see you there!

Historic Main Street Walking Tour
2025-08-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Corner Park, Ashland, 219 W. Main St, Ashland, 44805, United States
Step back in time and explore the charm of Ashland’s historic Main Street with a walking tour! Immerse yourself in the rich history and unique architecture of our town while learning something new along the way. Discover the stories and secrets that make our Main Street a hidden gem waiting to be explored!
Tickets are required. Early bird tickets are available for $5 per person until August 15. Regular price tickets are $8 per person at the door on a first come first served basis, until all slots are filled. Children ages 3 and under are free! Space is limited for each tour. So, advance ticketing is recommended to reserve your space.
Tickets can be purchased HERE
All guests will receive a complimentary Main Street Walking Tour booklet with a more in-depth history of the buildings on Main Street. Please note that we will not be going inside any of the buildings.
Tours depart from Corner Park (219 W Main St. across from the County Office Building) promptly at 2pm and 3:30pm.
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check-in.
For questions, email achs@ashlandhistory.org or call 419-289-3111.

Cemetery Tour
2025-09-21 14:00 - 16:00 | OH
Join us as history comes to life at the Ashland Cemetery during the 2025 walking tour on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Tours begin at 2:00 & p.m. EST.
Tour guides will escort guests through the tour routes, where many of Ashland’s historical figures will come to life through our talented living historians.
Participants will hear what life was like for Ashland residents thanks to the first-person living historians dressed in period dress.
For questions call 419-289-3111.

Halloween House
2025-10-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-17 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-18 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-25 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-26 18:00 - 20:00 | OH
Get into the spooky spirit with our family-friendly Halloween house tour! Explore the museum after hours and discover delightfully eerie decorations that are perfect for all ages. Join us for a fun and festive experience that will make this Halloween one to remember!
The house is open October 16-19, 25-26, & 31st. Admission is $3 for adults (18+) and $1 for children (3+) and students. Children 3 and under are free. The Halloween House will take place at the Freer Home on 6 different nights from 6-8 pm. The last ticket will be sold to anyone standing in line by 8 pm.

Dark History Tour
2025-10-24 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-10-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-24 19:30 - 20:30 | OH
Dive into the shadows of the past with our Dark History Tour – a spine-chilling journey through the secrets and scandals of our city’s haunted past. Uncover the mysteries and untold stories that will send shivers down your spine and leave you questioning what lies beneath the surface. Join us, if you dare, for an unforgettable experience that will make history come alive in the most haunting way. #DarkHistoryTour #UncoverThePast #HauntedHistory
Tickets are $5 per person. Due to the nature of the content, all attendees must be 16 or older. Space is limited, so advance ticketing is recommended to reserve your space.
Tickets on sale now!
The tours depart from the Carriage House, 420 Center Street, promptly at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30pm. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your tour to check-in.

Manor Christmas Open House
2025-12-12 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-13 17:00 - 19:00 | OH
Step back in time and experience the magic of a Victorian Christmas at our enchanting open house event at 414 Center Street (a.k.a. Manor House)! Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with twinkling lights, Christmas caroling, and delicious holiday treats. Join us for a celebration of yuletide joy and create cherished memories with loved ones at our Victorian Christmas open house!
Before visiting Candy Cane Trail or the Freer open house, come visit the Manor for a Victorian Yuletide experience. The home is open December 12th & 13th from 5-7:00 p.m. and admission is free. Caroling around the piano in the Parlor will take place from 6-7:00 p.m.

Christmas at Freer
2025-12-12 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-13 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-14 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-19 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-20 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-21 18:00 - 22:00 | Freer Home, 1260 Center Street, Ashland, OH, 44805, United States
Step into a winter wonderland this holiday season at the museum! Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas with festive exhibits, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer all around. Create unforgettable memories with your loved ones at the museum this Christmas – a perfect way to make the season merry and bright!
This year, we are partnering with the Ashland Kroc Center to collect nonperishable food items for those in need. The Kroc Center has said that the following items are in high demand this year: Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Cereal, Oatmeal, Jelly, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Spaghetti Pasta, Vegetable Oil, Canned Tuna, & Canned Chicken. Please bring in whatever you can to give back to the community.
Come inside and warm up after your trip through the Candy Cane Trail and enjoy more than a dozen beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Admission is free. Hot chocolate is available with a cash donation or food for the Kroc Center. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Christmas tree this year! Christmas at the Freer Home will be open for 6 nights from December 12-14 & 19-21 from 6-10 P.M.

Victorian Lantern Tour
2025-12-19 18:00 - 18:30, 2025-12-19 18:30 - 19:00, 2025-12-19 19:00 - 19:30 | OH
Step back in time this holiday season with a magical Victorian Christmas flashlight tour! Immerse yourself in the enchanting sights and sounds of a bygone era as you explore the beautifully decorated Manor House after hours. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the wonder and nostalgia of a Victorian Christmas – book your tour today!
Tickets are $10 per person. Members receive a 30% discount with use of the promocode sent in the newsletter. Spaces are limited, so advance ticketing is recommended to reserve your space. Tickets go on sale November 21st.
The tours will depart from the Manor House 414 Center Street promptly at 6:30pm, 7:00, and 7:30. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check-in.
Click here to register!
