This is one of the most hands on library I have been to in a long time. My kids loved the…read moreactivities of making a snowflake, and a scavenger hunt around the kids section. Cindy the librarian was wonderful at explaining things and telling us about all the fun activities they do for all ages. They have an email that tells you what is going on, so you don't miss anything. We are excited to try story time on a Thursday.

VERY CUTE little library!…read more It's not too small, so it has plenty of options. It's not too big so it's not too difficult to navigate. I love that the computer usage is free and the printing is cheap! Definitely makes printing accessable to all community members. I appreciate their return policy, it's not too stringent and really allows patrons to be responsible for their own returns in a timely manner. The staff are so friendly and helpful! Every time I visit the associates are always smiling and welcoming. They even taught me about the Hoopla & Libby apps!!! Will DEFINITELY be back to visit very soon!

It's slim pickings when it comes to truly historic sites in Columbus, but Camp Chase Cemetery, a…read morelittle known piece of Civil War history located on the West Side of Columbus, is a storied place- especially among Civil War enthusiasts. The Civil War touched Columbus in subtle and unusual ways. In 1861, the federal government authorized the establishment of Camp Chase as a training ground for Ohio volunteers and militia units. Columbus was a centralized location with a good transportation system and lots of space, so Ohio's capital was an obvious choice for a military camp. Camp Chase was built on what is now the West side of Columbus, near the the Westgate neighborhood, bordered by present-day Sullivant Avenue, Broad Street and Hague Avenue. It eventually served as a prison for local Confederate sympathisers and higher ranking prisoners of war and remained in operation throughout the entire Civil War. Between 1861 and 1863, the number of prisoners bulged to a whopping 8,000, but upon completion of a POW camp on Johnson's Island in Lake Erie, most of the Confederate officers were moved, leaving only the "enlisted" men at Camp Chase. It is well known that the living conditions were terrible. Prisoners suffered a variety of diseases related to starvation and in the winter of 1863, hundreds of prisoners fell victim to a smallpox epidemic. The camp closed in 1865 with the close of the Civil War. When all was said and done, more than 2,200 Confederate prisoners died at Camp Chase, causing the prison to establish its own cemetery, where today approximately 2,260 soldiers are buried. The only part of Camp Chase that still exists is two acres of land containing the cemetery. In 1902, a monument to the Confederate dead was erected at the cemetery, which you can see today. The Hilltop Historical Society sponsors an annual Memorial Service in June to honor the fallen Confederate soldiers. I have chosen to list the Ohio Historical Society's web page as the link here because they maintains a variety of documents, burial records, headstone inventories and photographs related to Camp Chase. For cemetery and history buffs alike, Camp Chase is a haunting place to visit. It's a completely moving experience to pass behind the stone wall and see 2600 white headstones stretched across 2-acres. Easy to forget you are in the middle of the city. Ghost hunters have come here searching for the Lady in Gray, an alleged female spirit (dressed in gray or gray in appearance) searching Camp Chase her lost husband. I have not bumped into any ghosts here, but I sure did enjoy discovering one of the few tangible pieces of Civil war history in Columbus. It's a moving place.

A small piece of history, representing a huge war. Worth a stop if you are a history or cemetery…read morebuff. I've been past many times without even being aware of it; I knew it was down here somewhere, but wasn't sure exactly where. It is just tucked into the neighborhood along Sullivant. Inside are more than 2000 graves, mostly Confederate prisoners. Research the history a bit (and read Shawnie K's review for a start.) This is all that is left of Camp Chase, a large camp and one of several that were in Columbus. I've been to Johnson Island up on Lake Erie, and had a similar feeling here. These men fought on the losing side (and the wrong side, not always the same thing) but they were, as the memorial says, Americans. It is a quiet, sobering place to visit on a cold late-winter morning.

Took a tour of this with the Columbus Historical Society. I've been driving by for decades,…read moreinterested in it, so when they had an event I signed right up. It's currently the Columbus Firefighters Union hall, and they, and previous tenants, have not just kept it in great shape but made it shine, and added an event space off to one side. Preserved history but kept it useful. The outside is beautiful, and the historic portions inside are impressive. It started as a train station, and tracks still run alongside it on an elevated platform added 15 years or so after it was originally built. So you get the feel of rail transport, and can see much of the original infrastructure (or well-done updates.) Parking is on the street (the firefighters have a small private parking area.) The tour and lecture by CHS were great. The event space is elegant, and would be good for a party, maybe even a wedding. I'm glad this has been preserved and yet is still being used. The design is unique (though there were several similar structures in town that have since been knocked down.) There is a historical marker out front for the station and, on the back, the architecturally similar hotel that was once next door.

A unique if not weird building of interest for architecture and history lovers this building on…read moreBroad Street is striking in orginality. Built to be a station for the old Toledo and Ohio Central Rail, it was designed by Frank Packard and Joseph Yost, designers who have birthed many notable buildings in Columbus and Ohio State. Built in 1895, the structure is noticable for its pagoda tower, a Japanese front adorned by Art Nouveau stylings. Its off-beat front sticks out between COSI and the railroad which today is risen. The pagoda didn't always clash so with the background, in fact it was kin with that of the Macklin Hotel. The Macklin once sat to the west of the station in the days the railroad was on the ground. It was pure Japanese in design and featured a couple pagodas that matched T&OCRS. The two had a cenergy, one for travel and the other provided logging. Of course the railroad does not transport people today, although it still opperates as freight. Today the Macklin is long gone and Station is owned by the city having been a Volunteers of America in the 1970s. The inside is not original having been redone after a fire in 1975. Yet it features a vaulted room with plaster cherubim ornaments, and light fixture arching over much like the High Street arches. I really wish the city could do something cool with the building, but it is worth a stop-see and get a feel of unique architecture, an artistry little tried today.

Hadn't been here ever, hadn't paid much attention to it, but when I heard Schmidt's has a new cafe…read morehere I swung by when I was in the area. Big, attractive building across Broad from the Statehouse. Security was professional but friendly. Once in, I was impressed with the art displays around the lobby (and some downstairs.) They have displays, concerts, and more, so check out their schedule. Easy to get around. Easy parking at the Statehouse garage. I should have read Marissa's review and gone to the observation deck. Oh, well.

It recently came to our attention that you can visit the viewing area at the top of the Rhodes…read moreState Office Tower, so we decided to go check it out! The Rhodes, located near the Ohio Statehouse, is the tallest building in Columbus and is perfect for the purpose. To head to the observation deck, we checked in at the front desk at the lobby where they requested state-issued IDs from all adult members of the party. We received sticker badges and then were directed to the security screening, which was the usual set your bag/keys/phone/etc on the machine and walk through the security screen. A security guard took us over to the elevator deck (and there are a lot of them, each labeled by a letter of the alphabet) and took us up to the 40th floor. The elevators move quickly so it didn't take long at all. The floor is a working floor, so we were asked to keep the volume down. There are displays that show you a picture of the skyline labeled with locations of interest. The observation deck provides great views of the north, east, and south, in particular. Unfortunately, there is only one small window to peek out towards the west (located in the elevator bay), because that is a great view of the river and the LeVeque Tower. It was also fun to see a falcon fly up and hang out near the observation area - possibly one of the peregrines that like to nest up there? Either way, it was a neat addition to our viewing experience. Visits do need to take place during typical working hours/days, so we opted for a mid-day visit during the week and everything went quite smoothly. All of the staff were friendly and the security guard who accompanied us was very kind and gave some great info. This is free to do, other than the usual parking fun of downtown.

These are my heeled is a public art statue located on the statehouse Capitol grounds in downtown…read moreColumbus Ohio. The monument features life-size bronze statues of seven men -- Salmon P. Chase, James A. Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Philip Sheridan, William Tecumseh Sherman, and Edwin Stanton, as well as a bronze statue of the Roman Cornelia. While I do not knew each man's significance to the state of Ohio, I do recognize some of them as very important and powerful men form America's past. Either way the sculpture is very large and well done. Truly a great site to behold and a great photo op on the statehouse grounds. Overall a cool and well down sculpture that I'm sure if one takes the time to learn about will find out some interesting American history.

Formerly known as Keep Franklin County Beautiful this non profit renamed itself in 2007 and works…read moreon making Columbus a better place by implementing sustainability strategies. My first interaction with this organization happened recently when I needed a bunch of random art supplies for an education program. A few teachers told me about the 'waste not' center that this place runs, so I paid the place a visit. The waste not center is basically a wharehouse FULL of discarded items, mostly in bulk from large companies that have cleaned house. If you are a teacher or work for a non-profit you are eligible to 'shop' here during the public hours that are supervised by volunteers. I got all the items I needed for my project and some ribbon and a few text books to boot. If are eligible and in need check this place out, or if you have something to donate give them a call. We need more places like this in our progressive city.

Stonewall offered a number of resources focused on the queer community. The Stonewall faculty is…read moreimpressive, and it offers a number of rooms set up to perfectly host events.

I'm not really sure what this place is. I thought it was a place for the LGBTQ+ community but I've…read moreasked for help 3 times and nobody helped me. I even came in person. I have no clue. Honestly speaking. I was in a Domestic Violent relationship. I told 3 different managers. No one helped me. I've asked for food assistance. I've asked for Clothing assistance. What do u guys do besides host parades during pride month? Is everyone too dang busy to notice the homeless? Guess so! DO BETTER!

I've attended several functions through the Westerville Chamber of Commerce, and each one is better…read morethan the last. It is a great way to network and make new connections. I'm glad to be involved in the organization!