The Museum is temporarily closed while we prepare new exhibits.

Get your passport into local history

Northwest Ohio’s historic sites are joining forces to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a brand-new event inviting residents and visitors to step back in time. Time Travelers Passport will take place July 1-15, 2026, offering a rare opportunity to explore the region’s most treasured museums, landmarks, and heritage sites. Follow this link for more information.

**Toledo has an incredible manufacturing history. Many of the items you will see in our virtual exhibit helped change the American lifestyle. Click here to experience Made in Toledo!**

In the early 20th Century, Toledo was a major hub for automobile manufacturing. Follow this link to learn about this exciting time in Toledo history.

Featured articles, audio, and videos

A look at Toledo Museums including the Toledo History Museum

Host Jaden Jefferson interviews guests from several different Toledo-based museums in the latest Toledo Works podcast from the Toledo Free Press and WGTE. One of the guests is Toledo History Museum president London Mitchell. He discusses a belief that not only can the Museum take us on a journey into Toledo's past but also help us understand the community's culture and heritage. Follow this link to listen to the podcast.

A look at Toledo radio in the 1940s

From the Toledo History Museum Quarterly Journal of December 2007 we pull Marjorie Waterfield’s look back at “WSPD Radio in the 1940s” and local radio before television and the Internet. Radio was our audio window to the world with the broadcast day filled with a variety of programming. Read Marjorie’s well-researched article by clicking on this link.

Research reveals dugout canoe may be one of region's oldest artifacts

Click here to read the story by Isobel McClure in The Blade.

Toledo congressman was instrumental in the abolishment of slavery

Learn how the congressman from Toledo was instrumental in abolishment of slavery.

Ty Cobb and the Mud Hens beat Babe Ruth

Baseball fans at Swayne Field saw two of baseball's greatest, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, face off against each other. And Cobb was wearing a Toledo uniform! Click here for John Husman's account of a special moment from 1917.

First radio-dispatched patrol cars were in Toledo

Did you know the first successful test of dispatching police vehicles by radio happened in Toledo in 1921? Follow this link to read the story about another first for Toledo.

Mystery of lost aviator has links to Toledo

Aviator Paul Rinaldo Redfern was trying to make history as the first pilot ever to fly nonstop from North America to South America. Click here to read Lou Hebert's account of this nearly 100-year-old mystery.

Toledo's million dollar robbery

Written by Lou Hebert, the true life story behind one of the biggest Post Office robberies in history. And, it happened in Toledo. Click here to read.

Albert King, Toledo's first black police officer

It was 1887. Albert King was appointed to the Toledo Police Department. His life offers an insight into the lives and experiences of Blacks in Toledo at the turn of the century. Read his story by Shirley Green.

Rich history of the University of Toledo

London Mitchell's podcast interview with Barbara Floyd on her in-depth book on the history of the University of Toledo. Click here to listen.

Was a "death ray" invented in Toledo?

Here is the story of a man they called Toledo's "radio wizard" written by Lou Hebert. Click here to read.

Learn about the uniqueness of Toledo's Old West End

The annual Old West End Festival celebrates the history and culture of this premier Toledo neighborhood. You'll get some interesting insight in this audio interview with Associate Professor of History at BGSU, Douglas Forsythe. Click here to listen.

Sight Center celebrates 100th anniversary

The Sight Center has prepared 100 short videos to recap its 100-year history. Click here to visit the Sight Center YouTube channel.

Tests reveal dugout canoe may date to American Revolution

Click here to read Lou Hebert's story in the Metro Press.