Come Find Your History...
Lake County Historical Society
Our Sponsors
New Saturday
Hours!!
10am - 2pm
Beginning June 28th
We have added two more Lantern Tours!! Go to Upcoming Events or the Calendar to sign up!!
Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Friday 10am to 4pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm
Phone: 440-639-2945
Address: 415 Riverside Dr., Painesville, OH 44077
The Lake County Historical Society has exhibits covering Lake County Military, a Law Room, a 1940's kitchen, Doris Martin's Doll Houses, the President James Garfield room and more!
Self-tours are free!
Guided tours - $8 per person
Group tours
Come find your history - at the Lake County Historical Society.
New Board Members Being Recurited
Increased activity, detailed strategic planning and a
broadening vision has lead the Lake County Historical
Society board to seek additional members for the Board of Directors. The Board is the primary maker of policy,
procedure and financial decisions for the organization.
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Area business people are especially sought at this time.
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Interested applicants are invited to the Center for a tour of the facilities to meet and talk with staff.​
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Board terms are three years.
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Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9am in Heritage Hall at the Center at 415 Riverside Drive.
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Take this opportunity to make lifelong friends!
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Email David at LCHSboardofdir@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUST ADDED!!
Haunted Lantern Tour
Tuesday, November 11th, 8pm to 10:30pm
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​Do ghosts and spirits really haunt the former Lake County Poorhouse? Enjoy an evening full of spooky tensions and eerie tales. During our haunted evening tour you’ll be able to experience the Lake County History Center after dark. You'll hear stories of unbelievable historically documented events that have taken place in the past.
The exclusive lantern-lit tour is only open to 20 participants. This event is not suitable for children.Buy tickets here at Eventbrite
Haunted Lantern Tour
Thursday, November 20th, 8pm to 10:30pm
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​Do ghosts and spirits really haunt the former Lake County Poorhouse? Enjoy an evening full of spooky tensions and eerie tales. During our haunted evening tour you’ll be able to experience the Lake County History Center after dark. You'll hear stories of unbelievable historically documented events that have taken place in the past.
The exclusive lantern-lit tour is only open to 20 participants. This event is not suitable for children.Buy tickets here at Eventbrite
Haunted Lantern Tour
Thursday, October 16th, 8pm to 10:30pm SOLD OUT
Tuesday, October 21st, 8pm to 10:30pm SOLD OUT
Thursday, October 23rd, 8pm to 10:30pm SOLD OUT
Tuesday, October 30th, 8pm to 10:30pm SOLD OUT
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Witches Costume Tea
Sunday, October 19th, 1pm to 2:30pm
Sunday, October 19th, 3:30pm to 5:00pm​​
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Come dressed in costume (optional) to hear about Margaret Hamilton, the ever famous Wicked Witch of the West.
Join us when author Don Billie visits to discuss his new biography, Margaret Hamilton: From Cleveland, OH to the Land of Oz.
About the author:
Little did author Don Billie realize when he was writing for the aptly named Cleveland State Cauldron that one day, he’d be uncovering the enchanting tale of Margaret Hamilton, Cleveland's very own Wicked Witch of the West.
Billie, who has previously written about the Cleveland origin of Freddy Kreuger for Cleveland Magazine, is also the author of Hey You Punks!, a book that vividly depicts his experiences growing up on Cleveland's gritty near west side.
To embody the principles of The Wizard of Oz as a "good deed doer," he has dedicated his time to volunteering with both the American Red Cross hurricane disaster relief effort in Florida and the humanitarian organization Bring Hope in refugee camps affected by war in Iraqi Kurdistan.
In Margaret Hamilton: From Cleveland, OH to the Land of Oz, readers see how this kind-hearted kindergarten teacher from Cleveland became one of the movies' scariest villains of all time. Learn how years later, she took on the endearing persona of "Cora," a no-nonsense shopkeeper from New England, renowned for selling only Maxwell House coffee.
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Her captivating tale uncovers the surprising truth about Margaret's casting as the Wicked Witch of the West in the iconic movie, The Wizard of Oz, and how she was severely burned during filming. Discover several myths about her, including who she was not the kindergarten teacher for, plus debunking other more recent falsehoods.
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Throughout this remarkable journey, readers will come to understand Margaret Hamilton's extraordinary talent as a character actress. They will observe her genuine love for children and her unwavering dedication to the numerous causes that she passionately supported.
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Books will be available for purchase.
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​Two times available
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Witches Tea, October 19, 2025 at 1 pm Buy tickets here
Witches Tea, October 19, 2025 at 3:30 pm Buy tickets here
Reservations Required: Please call 440-639-2945 or lakehistory.Eventbrite.com
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Menu– Fresh Fruit Cup, Scones, Finger Sandwiches, Desserts, Tea, Coffee, Ice Tea
$30 Members/$35 Non-Member
Trick or Treat in the
Pioneer Village
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Enjoy a not so scary event at the Lake County History Center's Pioneer Village. Stroll through the Pioneer village to collect candy and play a variety of games. Purchase dinner or a snack in the Event Barn. Be amazed at the dazzling Halloween displays. Pick a prize in the Funky Pumpkin Patch.
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$ 5 per child presale
$ 7 per child if you would prefer to pay cash at the door. Please let us know to expect you.
Food will be available for purchase.
Walk ups welcome. Event will take place rain or shine.
Save the fees, purchase your tickets at the History Center or by calling 440-639-2945.
Tickets also available here on Eventbrite
Sponsored by: Lake County Employees Credit Union
Para-X: Paranormal Experience
Friday, November 7, 2025 from 9:00pm to 1:00am
Whether you’re new to ghost hunting or a seasoned investigator, there’s something to find in our unlit corridors
From 1852 until 2004, the Lake County Poor House (aka Lake County Home) has given shelter to numerous residents, both wicked & benign.
The stories of the real people who were a part of the Lake County Home, range from mildly humorous, to downright disturbing. Come explore the place from a paranormal investigative perspective and find out for yourself just what might be haunting the former Poor House!
Follow Cathi Weber, Theresa Argie, and their experienced paranormal investigators as you linger in hotspots of spiritual activity and draw out our lingering, ghostly occupants.
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Registration is 8:30-8:45. The tour starts promptly at 9pm.
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Bring a camera, flashlight, or other equipment you may wish to use, and see what you capture.
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You must be 18 years of age or over and able to legally sign a liability waiver form. Children may not attend.
Tickets are limited to the first 40 sold. This event sells out quickly. Don't miss this opportunity for a paranormal investigation at the former Lake County Poor House!
Tickets: $52
Buy them here!
PIONEER SCHOOL​
​​Little Pioneer
​Welcome to the Lake County History Center's Pioneer School, where kids can step into the shoes of pioneers for a day!! Our award winning "Experience Ohio" program takes your students to the 1824 Western Reserve's frontier, where they do chores in our replica 1800's log cabin, encounter bartering in our General Store, experience "blab school" in a one-room schoolhouse, meet a pioneer who will share fascinating stories of survival and the journey from back east and make a hand-dipped candle to take home. This is experiential learning at it's most dynamic.
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Length: 2 hours, Available Apr. - Oct. Target age: K-Grade 1. Time length: 2 hours; $10/child $200/minimum.
