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Ohio History Connection is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1885 as The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society "to promote a knowledge of archaeology and history, especially in Ohio". Until May 24, 2014, the organization was known as the Ohio Historical Society. Ohio History Connection exists to interpret, preserve, collect, and make available evidence of the past, and to provide leadership on furthering knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the prehistory and history of Ohio and of the broader cultural and natural environments of which Ohio is a part. Its predecessor was founded by Brig. Gen. Roeliff Brinkerhoff in 1875. That society became dormant, and was revived at the urging of Governor George Hoadly in 1885.
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Ohio History Center
Ohio History Connection operates dozens of state historic sites across Ohio. Its headquarters is the 250,000-square-foot (23,000 m²) Ohio History Center in Columbus, Ohio, a Brutalist concrete structure. Extensive exhibits cover Ohio's history from the Ice Age to the present. The Center includes state archives and library spaces, a gift shop, and administrative and educational facilities. The 1989 Smithsonian Guide to Historic America described the Center as "probably the finest museum in America devoted to pre-European history."
Curators
The Ohio History Connection has appointed a Curator of Archaeology, to oversee the museum's archaeological collection, since 1894:
Ohio Village
Ohio Village, a reconstructed Civil War-era town, is a living museum on the grounds of the Ohio History Center. In 2002, budget cuts forced the Ohio Village to close except for special events, school and tour groups. Since 2012, it is open to visitors from Memorial Day to Labor Day and for special events such as the Country Living Fair, All Hallows Eve, and Dickens of a Christmas.
The village houses the renowned Ohio Village Muffins, a vintage baseball club. Since 1981, the Muffins have promoted the preservation of the game as it was played in 1860. Competitions are played every year.
Sites by region
Ohio History Connection operates a statewide network of historical, archaeological and natural history sites. Admission is free for members. In some cases, Ohio History Connection has contracted with other organizations for management (viz. Serpent Mound)