Feature Friday: The Seneca County Museum

Happy Feature Friday, where every Friday the Chamber team will highlight one of our fantastic members by repping them for the day and telling the community more about them. This week's Feature Friday is: The Seneca County Museum!

The vision of the Seneca County Museum is to inspire a sense of place and history for Seneca County by collecting, studying, interpreting, and preserving the region’s cultural and natural heritage. The Museum is the resource for scholars, historians, and educators as well as history buffs. The Museum preserves and catalogs important objects and documents and uses those items to provide educational and cultural programs for the public.

The Seneca County Museum is the former home of local businessman Rezin W. Shawhan.  Born October 19,1811. Shawhan arrived in Tiffin in 1832 and opened a store with his brother Lorenzo. The store's success enabled Rezin to expand his interests into real estate and banking. Rezin's first wife Elvira Shawhan died in 1880. Upon his death in 1887, his estate was valued in excess of $1 million.  Much of it was bequeathed to his second wife, Della Watson Shawhan.  He also left bequests to Heidelberg College, the library, and Tiffin churches.  The Greek Revival-style house, built in 1853, was passed down through the family, ending with Lynn Troxel who, in 1941, donated it to the county for use as a museum. The house is a part of the Fort Ball-Railroad Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.  

Your window to Seneca County's history is framed and ready for viewing at the Seneca County Museum! Experience the elegant drawing room with original furnishings and elaborate architectural details. The parlor, with its original wallpaper, marble fireplace, and chandelier, showcases early means of musical entertainment. The remainder of the first floor has been renovated to enhance displays of glassware, primitive kitchen items and military uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia. The library and research center offers material on wide range of topics and the new gift shop features historically themed items and books by local artisans and authors.

While you are at the museum, make sure to say hello to the official mascot, Duckie McQuacker! Duckie is everyone's favorite four legged duck and serves as an icon for children's activities, "Adventures with Duckie McQuacker." You can also experience their speaker series and other community events they host. 

The Seneca County Museum is an official stop on the Northwest Ohio Cultural Heritage Passport and offer so many opportunities to learn about what laid the foundation of our beautiful community we know today. Thank you to the volunteers, staff, and supporters of the Seneca County Museum for making this resource available and fun for all! We love having the Seneca County Museum as a Chamber member and look forward to many more years of impact to come. Learn more at: SenecaCountyOhio.org.