Kelton House Museum and Gardens in Columbus, Ohio Preserves Local History

Located in Columbus, Ohio's Discovery District, the mission of the Kelton House Museum and Gardens is to promote an understanding of daily life, customs, and decorative arts in 19th century Columbus and to educate visitors about the Underground Railroad.

The home, built in 1852, was once the property of Fernando Cortez Kelton, a wealthy dry goods wholesaler and prominent Columbus citizen, and his wife, Sophia. The Keltons were staunch abolitionists who were eager to open their home to escaped slaves as a stop of the so-called Underground Railroad. The Keltons raised at least one slave as a member of their own family and were dedicated to the cause of freedom for slaves throughout their lifetime. It is said that Mr. Kelton was so well-known for his support of the abolition of slavery that he was asked to be a pall bearer for President Lincoln when his casket came through Columbus.

The home remained in the Kelton family until 1975 when the last remaining Kelton granddaughter, Grace Bird Kelton, passed away. Ownership of the house and gardens was then passed on to the Junior League of Columbus, which turned it into a museum, restoring to represent a time period between 1850 and 1900. Grace Kelton had left it to the Junior League with stipulations that it be preserved and used for educational purposes.

Currently, Kelton House is the only house museum in the city of Columbus. Inside, it's full of beautiful Victoriana - furnishings, silver, artwork, and other items from the Victorian period. An estimated 80% to 90% of the furniture in the home once belonged to the Kelton family. Daily tours are led by trained volunteer docents who can educate visitors in the particulars of life and the decorative arts during the Victorian era.

Kelton House Garden is also a joy to explore. Restored to Grace Kelton's design, the garden reflects both Ms. Kelton's personal tastes and Victorian influences in gardening such as hedges, statuary, latticework, and perennial borders. Crab apple trees line the walkway and the garden is abloom with wild flowers, azaleas, rhododendron, and other popular flowering plants. Many of the sculptural pieces in the garden came from Kelton family trips to Europe and Asia.

Special "experiential'' tours are also available at Kelton House Museum and Gardens. Costumed actors portray Sophia Kelton and the slaves she rescued. Sophia will share information about the Kelton's life as abolitionists and how they became involved with the Underground Railroad. Guests can also enjoy "Tea with Sophia,'' which includes an afternoon guided tour and refreshments.

Kelton House Museum and Gardens is also available for rent for special occasions. The garden is an ideal place for an outdoor wedding ceremony and reception and the museum can accommodate 100 to 150 guests for a cocktail reception or sit-down dinner.

The museum and gardens is open every Sunday afternoon for tours or on other days by special request.