Discover a wealth of historical knowledge by exploring the charming sights and sounds of Toledo. From Middlegrounds Metropark and Sylvania’s Heritage Center to the Underground Railroad site at Lathrop House- there’s something for everyone. Take guided audio tours, explore local community sites, or follow an architectural guide on foot – all while uncovering the storied past of Toledo.

Exploring Toledo’s Rich History

Toledo has a rich history that is just waiting to be explored. There are plenty of opportunities to discover all of the fascinating stories and facts about this Northwest Ohio city. From tours, trails, and other informative experiences, visitors and locals alike can easily find themselves immersed in Toledo’s past. With these opportunities, it won’t be long before you have all the answers to your questions about this area’s heritage.

Learn about Sylvania’s History and Culture

Explore Sylvania, affectionately known as Tree City, and discover its founding roots with Heritage Sylvania. With a multi-site historical center located along its charming main street, visitors can uncover the Underground Railroad site open to the public in Northwest Ohio – the circa 1850s Lathrop House. Additionally, the Cooke-Kuhlman home houses Dr. Uriah Cooke’s restored doctor’s office and exam room, which was founded in 1897, along with other artifacts in the Village Museum. There are also ten self-guided audio tours available by local historian Tedd Long via VoiceMap App. This includes a Downtown Toledo Architectural Guide and Cathedral Neighborhood Stroll, providing insight into some of Toledo’s most iconic buildings and breathtaking houses of worship.

Visit the Wolcott House

Experience the vibrant history of Toledo with a tour of the Port of Toledo! From Middlegrounds Metropark, explore how canals helped shape the city into what it is today. For those seeking a more dramatic spin on local history, take the Unholy Toledo tour and discover the 1930s gang-led crime spree. Or visit the Maumee Valley Historical Society and marvel at the Wolcott House, a 14-room Federal/Classic Revival mansion overlooking the Maumee River. With six acres to explore, you’ll get an up-close view of the original two-room cabin, as well as a schoolhouse and train depot.

Recognizing the Contributions of Toledo’s African American Community

The African American Legacy Project is proud to launch a mapping project that will recognize the important contributions of Toledo’s African American community. Through this project, members of the community can drop a pin on a location they would like recognized- be it a first-family home or a historically Black-owned business. This project aims to leave a lasting impression for future generations, showing what was along the Dorr St. Corridor and what could be – a vibrant hub by and for Toledo’s African American community. Get in touch with the organization to learn more and set up a tour of their existing collection.

Explore the History of the Toledo Area with Visits to Fort Meigs and Fort Miamis

Take a journey through military history in the Toledo area with a visit to two historically significant forts – Fort Meigs in Perrysburg and Fort Miamis in Maumee. Built during the War of 1812, Fort Meigs was a place of much activity, being besieged twice in 1813. Today it stands reconstructed and serves to provide an educational center for visitors, offering tours, miniature gaming gatherings, lantern tours, blacksmithing and hearthside cooking classes, ghost walks, and reenactments. Fort Miamis offers a more peaceful atmosphere for reflection, with observation decks and a tower allowing visitors to observe its serpentine peaks and valleys. With kayak access at the end of Corey Street, visitors can experience what soldiers would have seen when arriving by boat. The Wabash Cannonball Trail eBike Tour is also available, covering the Fallen Timbers Battlefield National Historic Landmark over three hours.

The Providence Metropark Canal Experience

Experience the unparalleled historic canal experience in Grand Rapids, Ohio! The Providence Metropark Canal Experience has some of the most captivating features from the 19th century. From a reproduction of a mule-drawn canal boat to the Isaac Ludwig Mill, which is still powered by water, this destination has something for everyone. During seasonal hours of operation, visitors can even meet period characters in costume. Group reservations and field trips are welcomed with advance notice.

The Stranahan Home: A Proud and Positive Experience

The renowned Ellen Biddle Shipman, a landscape architect, left her mark throughout Wildwood Metropark and more specifically at the grand Stranahan Home located within 577 Foundation. Constructed in 1938 by R.A. Stranahan, one of the founders of Champion Spark Plug Company, the Manor House is an impressive 30+ room dwelling, offering visitors public tours and special events such as bi-monthly teas and lunch concerts. A proud and positive experience awaits all who visit this perfectly preserved indoor & outdoor scene.

Iconic Architecture and Sculpture Garden

Toledo Museum of Art stands proudly as a testament to the city’s century-long dedication to art and architecture. Featuring six buildings, each with their unique architectural style, the sprawling campus spans nearly forty acres. Visitors can take their time to observe the iconic Greek facade of the original 1912 building or marvel at the award-winning Glass Pavilion. The sculpture garden connects the various structures, while the surrounding Old West End neighborhood offers an impressive array of Queen Ann, Dutch Colonial, Colonial, Georgian, Italian Renaissance, and French Second Empire residential architecture. It is no wonder Toledo is known affectionately as the ‘Glass City’.

Take a Journey Through Time at Sauder Village

Discover the rich history of Ohio at Sauder Village with the exciting ‘Walk Through Time’ tour. Get an immersive look at everyday life throughout different periods in time from the turn of the 19th century to the 1920s, told through perspectives from natives, pioneers, rural dwellers, and main street residents. Afterward, explore even more of the Village with options like farm and cabinet shops, a printing office, a harvesting building, and pottery, glass, and blacksmith studios. Experience all that Sauder Village has to offer and take a journey back in time!

Uncover 375 Million Years of History

The Fossil Park in Sylvania is a unique destination, offering visitors the chance to explore an area that dates back 375 million years. As one of only two such prime Devonian Era sites on the planet, it offers a wealth of history and fascination for all to discover. The park’s digging pit is ADA-accessible and open seasonally, allowing curious fossil hunters to search for brachiopods, coral, and other remains from over 200 aquatic species. An opportunity to travel so far back in time is truly remarkable and should not be missed!

From exploring Toledo’s downtown architecture and heritage tours to visiting the Maumee Valley Historical Society, the city of Toledo provides ample opportunity to uncover its rich history. Visitors and locals alike can easily spend hours tracking down every last detail about the past and present of this Ohio city. From finding out historical facts to experiencing original artifacts and buildings, this unique city offers unforgettable experiences that will undoubtedly provide an impressive overview of the culture and streetscape of Toledo.