Phone +1 419-352-0967 | ||
Address 13660 County Home Rd, Bowling Green, OH 43402, USA Hours Open today · 10AM–4PMWednesday10AM–4PMThursday10AM–4PMFriday10AM–4PMSaturday1–4PMSunday1–4PMMonday10AM–4PMTuesday10AM–4PMSuggest an edit Similar Snook's Dream Cars, Otsego Park, Hull–Wolcott House, Columbian House, Fulton County Historical Profiles | ||
The Wood County Historical Center and Museum, located in Bowling Green, Ohio, is the original site of the Wood County Infirmary or also known as the Wood County Home. This structure was the home to poor, mentally- ill, physically disabled and anyone in need of public assistance who were residents of Wood County. The Museum is home to over 30 exhibits about this building's history and the social history of Wood County. There are several outbuildings, including a "Pest House" to isolate men with communicable diseases such as scarlet fever and influenza, a hog barn and an ice house.
The Museum was shown on WBGU-TV program Scenic Stop, which premiered December 6, 2012. This show portrays unusual, distinctive places around Ohio.
History
The Infirmary opened its doors in 1869 and was the new home to six residents from the County Insane Farm in Perrysburg, Ohio. By the 1870s sixty-five residents called the infirmary home. Residents that were able worked on the farm doing chores around the grounds, making this site a self-sufficient farm. In 1878 Edwin Farmer and his wife Charlotte made the infirmary their home as Superintendent and Matron of the Infirmary. During the Farmer years many important events occurred on the Infirmary Grounds. During 1884, natural gas was discovered and drilled on the grounds. In 1904, Superintendent Farmer died and was succeeded by Frank Brandeberry, the husband of Lottie the Farmer's daughter.
Frank and Lottie Brandeberry retired in 1949. During the 1950s the infirmary became mainly a nursing home. On February 15, 1971 the infirmary closed its doors and residents were moved to a new county home. In 1975 the building opened as the Wood County Historical Center and Museum.