Limitless Learning
By Jamie Rhein
Calling all history, horror, art lovers and beyond! Boredom will be a thing of the past as your family explores the extensive selection of museums that Mansfield has to offer, with plenty of sights to see and exhibits to explore.
In Mansfield, you’ll find so much more than your average museum experience — experience nostalgia trips, gorgeous art or even the straight-up weird. See, hear and explore in new ways at these interactive, one-of-a-kind learning experiences.
Opened in 1896, the world-famous Historic Ohio State Reformatory is a Romanesque architectural wonder that turns scary after dark and comes to life during Halloween. Made famous by the iconic movie The Shawshank Redemption — filmed primarily at the reformatory — this former prison tells stories of crime, paranormal and pop culture.
Step back and relive milestones of the 19th and 20th centuries at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum. This museum is a testament to ingenuity, housing artifacts from closed factories and manufacturing genius, like trolley parts, tires, go karts, appliances, ice cream bars and so much more.
All the way from bucket brigade days to internal combustion power equipment, the Mansfield Fire Museum highlights firefighting’s past. Historic fire trucks, artifacts and an antique fire alarm are paired with a turn-of-the-century fire station and walk-through Main Street.
Aviation legend and Mansfield native Frank P. Lahm inspired the museum that bears his name. The Frank P. Lahm Aviation Museum celebrates Lahm’s legendary life — including working with the Wright Brothers and being the first person in the military to ride in an airplane — as well as Ohio’s legacy as an aviation powerhouse.
Noah’s Ark, The Last Supper and Martin Luther are among the 100 diorama-style scenes at BibleWalk. The exquisite life-size wax figures are a themed Bible story to foster learning and reflection. Visitors should not miss the life-size woodcarvings of artist Joseph Barta found in the on-site Museum of Woodcarving.
Creativity is a mighty force at the Mansfield Art Center. At this multi- faceted facility, learn how to fuse glass, make jewelry and more. Get inspired though the curated exhibits of renowned local and national artists, and find your muse at a special event. As a maker’s space, guests can create their own works of art with exceptional technology and talented instructors to take home and display.
Oak Hill Cottage, of Louis Bromfield’s novel, The Green Bay Tree, is one of the most perfect examples of mid-19th century Gothic Revival architecture around, with furnishings dating back
to Victorian times. The treasures within once belonged to family members who lived here from 1864 to 1965.
The Black Cyclone Trail
Travel through history and hit all the stops on the brand-new Black Cyclone Trail. This trail tells the extraordinary life story of Ohio’s own Charles W. Follis — the first African American pro football player, dubbed “The Black Cyclone.” Learn about how he defied the odds to make it to the pros at stops in Shelby including Charles Follis Way, the fields where he played and restaurants where he and his teammates socialized. Learn more at blackcyclone.org.