heritage center of clark county

If you want to get an idea of the local history of Clark county and this general area of Ohio, then this is a great place to visit. The building is very interesting and the items on display are well presented.

This was an excellent visit if you are interested in how things "come into a being" within an area. We do not live near here or have a vested interest in Springfield but we left with a true appreciation of the innovation in industry through the years. Well designed exhibits within an attractive center. The front desk people were informative and friendly.

If you grew up in Clark County, you must visit. The museum has done an excellent job of telling the story of the farming and industrial history of the area. A local resident has also done a diorama of the downtown shops and restaurants as they existed in the 1950's and 60's. It is displayed on platforms, with walkways between the buildings so that you may walk the streets we walked as kids and teenagers.

This is a wonderful museum with lots of hands on. All ages will enjoy learning. One can have a guided tour or do a self guided tour as the displays have historic information. A great gift shop offer educational gifts for the family.

This Museum is definitely worth a visit! There are many artifacts from the area's past (covered wagon, antique cars, motorcycles, farm implements, etc). These are actual artifacts, not "re-creations", plus countless smaller items, clothing, tools, correspondence, etc. The entrance is deceptively small; the place is HUGE! Just when you think you're near then end, there's another room or wing to explore. For example, the military "wing" alone contains uniforms and photographs dating from the War of 1812, Civil War ,World Wars, right through Desert Storm. Admission is free, but there is a donation box. if you visit, I hope you're willing to toss in a few $$$ to help keep the Museum in operation.

Places like this always leave me with mixed feelings -- nostalgia for past greatness and lament for what exists today. The same sad story of long-term decline can be seen in towns like these all throughout the MidWest, with glory days dating to the early 20th century and population decline from the 1960s -- much earlier than the mid 1980s "rust belt" era that many might remember. Some towns like Springfield have managed the transition better than others such as Richmond, Indiana only a few miles down the road, but all of them are artifacts of a country that moved from agriculture to industry to technology/service, together with outsourcing, offshoring and a move from rural to urban centers. Towns like Springfield were left in the wake, to now celebrate what "used to be".If you decide to stop in here while driving by on the interstate, you will be surprised at the wealth of Springfield's history -- the patent for the airplane, founding of the 4-H movement, former international HQ of International Harvester (now Navistar), and a vibrant early 20th century industrial base of which now remains some wonderful architecture, the most famous of which is the Wescott House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.This museum is evidence that the people of Clark county care to preserve its past. If only more thought could be devoted to its future....

The Heritage Center was done by people that did a good deal of work at The Smithsonian and is a world class museum. Lots of exhibits from a civil war camp to farm machinery to trucks to Frank Lloyd Wright. Springfield is lucky to have had great historians that have preserved it's past. You have to go to The Smithsonian to do any better.

Arguably the most recognizable building in Springfield, the Heritage Center houses a fine local history museum, some offices and a fair trade coffee shop. The museum offers a great historical backdrop for Clark County and Springfield, from the time George Rogers Clark, for whom Clark County is named, was in the area as he took the American Revolution West, to the present day. Industry, advertising and Native American artifacts are in abundance. It's one of the finest local museums in the state. No fee, but there is a donation box for the museum. Vefore or after your visit, Un Mundo Cafe has great paninis, soups and not and cold beverages.

The museum has lots of local lore and very informed docents to guide you and answer questions.A traveling exhibit is nice too.

The museum offers docent tours if you'd like or you can wander about on your own, plan 1-2 hours. it's clean the displays are attractively done, lots of stuff to look at, even an old fire truck and a model of springfield from the pre 50's.It's free but a donation box is right there in front of your face if you wish to toss in a few bucks to aid the cause and supply toilet paper in their restrooms.

If you want to discover the roots of Springfield, this is a good place to start. I learned so much about my adopted hometown (been here for 15 years) and was quite impressed. You learn so much about the towns history in both farming and manufacturing. It is well worth the time to visit. They've done a great job with setting up the center and putting the building to a good useful purpose. I'd recommend everyone from Springfield to tour the facility and take pride in your hometown. This is a good town to live in with plenty to do and plenty to see. Make this a must do.

Tremendous work has gone into this museum. Lots of displays. You could spend two hours easy. The model of the town is unbelievable. Kid-friendly; lots of room to walk, nothing to keep their hands off, easy to negotiate the entire building.

This is one of the finest, if not the finest county museum in the United States. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, the Heritage Center houses artifacts that are one of a kind and can not be found elsewhere. Historically, Springfield and Clark County, OH reflect all that is about how our country grew and expanded into the west. Hundreds of exhibits reflect the industrial might of Springfield during the early to middle part of the 20th Century; the life of Tecumseh and the Shawnee Indians that once lived in the area; International Harvester; Collier Magazine Empire; and so much more. Best of all, it is free! This is one museum that is worth making a special trip to visit.