List of museums in Columbus, Ohio


This is a list of museums in Columbus, Ohio and non-profit and university art galleries.
The city's first museum was the Walcutt Museum, opened July 1851. At its opening, the museum had about six wax figures and a few paintings. It grew to have about 20 wax figures, several hundred animal specimens, and about 100 quality oil paintings.

Museums in operation

NameNeighborhoodTypeSummaryImage
Beeler GalleryDowntownContemporary artMain gallery of the Columbus College of Art and Design
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & MuseumOhio State University campusArtCollects cartoons, comic strips and graphic novels, including the collections of the National Cartoon Museum
Central Ohio Fire MuseumDowntownFirefightingLocated in the restored 1908 Engine House No. 16
Columbus Historical SocietyFranklintonHistory and artDisplays historical artifacts and local art Expected to move to Engine House No. 6 in the near future.
Columbus Museum of ArtDowntownArtDisplays European and American art and photography
COSIFranklintonScience, children'sDisplays about 300 interactive exhibits
Hale Black Cultural CenterOhio State University campusAfrican American culture and artFeatures a large collection of Black art Indefinitely closed.
Historic Costume & Textile CollectionOhio State University campusTextileExhibits permanent and changing exhibits in the Snowden Galleries
Jack Nicklaus MuseumOhio State University campusBiographicalMuseum about the life of golfer Jack Nicklaus
Kelton House Museum and GardenDowntownHistoric houseShowcases Victorian life and the history of the Underground Railroad
Museum of Biological DiversityOhio State University campusNatural historyTeaching collection, including insects, crustacea, fishes, molluscs, animal and plant specimens
Museum of Classical ArchaeologyOhio State University campusArchaeologyIncludes prehistoric pottery from Cyprus, pottery from all periods, iron tools and weapons, examples of ancient writing, religious objects
Museum of Catholic Art and HistoryDowntownReligiousDisplays Roman Catholic art and religious artifacts. Formerly known as the Jubilee Museum.
National Veterans Memorial and MuseumFranklintonVeterans, military historyReplaced the Franklin County Veterans Memorial
Ohio Craft MuseumFifth by NorthwestCraftsOperated by Ohio Designer Craftsmen, showcases fine crafts
Ohio History CenterOhio State FairgroundsHistoryExhibits the history of Ohio, operated by the Ohio History Connection
Ohio Judicial Center Visitor Education CenterDowntownLegalExhibits the history, role and responsibility of the Ohio court system
Ohio StatehouseDowntownHistoryIncludes the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center, with exhibits about the Statehouse, Columbus history, and the state government process
Ohio VillageOhio State FairgroundsLiving historyMid-19th century village, operated by the Ohio History Connection
Orton Geological MuseumOhio State University campusGeologyLocated in Orton Hall. Includes rocks, minerals and fossils from Ohio and around the world
Pizzuti CollectionThe Short NorthContemporary artTemporary exhibitions of contemporary art from the collection of Ron and Ann Pizzuti
Riffe GalleryDowntownArtShowcases Ohio's artists and the collections of the state's museums and galleries, located in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts
Thompson Library GalleryOhio State University campusLiteraryExhibits the Ohio State University Libraries' special collections
Thurber HouseDowntownBiographical, literaryMuseum home of author James Thurber and literary center
Wexner Center for the ArtsOhio State University campusArtContemporary performing and visual arts center