The Kelton House Museum stands as a snapshot of 19th century life and a station on the Underground Railroad.
It is a treasure trove of Victoriana, containing everything from lavishly embellished Victorian silverware to unusual items such as a woven-hair brooch worn by Kelton family members.
When Grace Kelton died in 1975, her will entrusted the Kelton property to the Columbus Foundation with the stipulation that her family home be preserved and used for educational purposes.
Today the Kelton House offers an ongoing programming of house tours, special events, and educational opportunities, and is run by the Junior League of Columbus.
Kelton House Museum Hours
Monday-Wednesday (by appointment only)
Thursday – Sunday | 12pm-4pm
Month of January | CLOSED
New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas | CLOSED
Kelton House Docent-Led Tours
Tours will highlight the beautifully restored Museum and tell you about life in early Columbus through the eyes of the Kelton family.
Tours begin on the hour at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Arrive 5 min before tour begins. Details.
$7/adults, $5/seniors (55+), $3/student
Group rates available over 18 people. Maximum # of guests per tour: 30. No registration required.
Is Kelton House Haunted?
As a former stop in the Underground Railroad, the house has definitely witnessed some things. Once Grace Bird Kelton, the oldest living member of the family, passed away in 1967, the Junior League of Columbus took over the property and began renovations.
Since then, there have been numerous and regular occurrences that can’t be explained, such as interior doors opening in the night when the home is empty, people in period attire that disappear as suddenly as they appear, and furniture being moved.
Guests and staff have reported seeing various potential hauntings, but they are all harmless, and likely just former members of the family.
Note: the museum doesn’t not allow paranormal investigations on the property. So if you visit, please visit to explore and learn about the family and history, not as just a ghost hunt.
Kelton House Museum Programming
deposit photos
September is International Underground Railroad Month in Ohio
The Kelton House Museum and Garden presents the Emmy winning documentary “A Higher Law the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858” which was awarded an Emmy this year by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences- Ohio Valley.
When: Thursday, September 12th, 2024, 7pm meet the producers, 7:30 film presentation
This event is free but reservations are required due to limited seating.
Victorian Mourning Tea at Kelton House
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 2:30pm -3:30pm
Enjoy savory treats and exquisite teas. Learn about the evolving burial traditions that were taking place during the Victorian Era. Free museum tour after.
Randy Rogers, our presenter for the afternoon, has been a trustee at Green Lawn Cemetery since 2011, and is a past president and current executive director of the cemetery association. With a background in wildlife management and history, he has a broad perspective on Green Lawn and its unique place in the Columbus community.
Randy will discuss the founding of the cemetery as part of the Rural Cemetery Movement and its evolution over time, its value as an arboretum and Audubon Important Bird Area, and highlight the connection with the Kelton family.
Tickets are $60; reservations required.
Fernando’s Funeral: A 2024 Haunted Tour
October 24-25, 2024 from 6:30 pm -9 pm. Fernando’s Funeral: Victorian Mourning and the Ghosts That Linger on Town. These after hour tours feature the ghost stories of the Kelton’s and other spooky experiences in the Mansion, an experience you don’t want to miss.
Hurry and purchase your ticket before its too late, tours begin on the half-hour with 15 people maximum per tour. Tickets $30-$40 per person. Advanced tickets required.
The Kelton House Museum & Garden
586 East Town Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 464-2022
website
keltonhouse@cs.com
Want to explore more? We have a whole list of discounted and free museum days for great museums around Columbus.
Victorian Tea at Kelton House
The Kelton House also hosts Victorian Teas throughout the year with a tasteful sampling of savories and sweets reminiscent of 19th century ladies’ get-togethers. The menu for each Tea is different, but is always accompanied by traditional Earl Grey tea. Reservations are required.
Holiday Tea at Kelton House
TBA 2024 at 2:30 pm. Experience a special Victorian holiday tea at the Kelton House with a festive display. Enjoy your tea with selections from a sweet and savory table.
Afterwards, we will hear about the Kelton family and their Victorian Holiday customs. Following will be a tour of the historic Kelton House all dressed in Victorian seasonal splendor.
Tickets are $60 and very limited (20 remain as of Nov 21). Friends of the Kelton House please contact director@keltonhouse.com for your discount code. Purchase tickets here.
Underground Railroad Whistlestop Poetry Tour
Sunday May 19, 2024 from 2pm -6pm. FREE; reservations required.
The Ohio Poetry Association and Poets Against Racism & Hate will visit the Kelton House Museum and Garden on their whistle-stop poetry tour of Underground Railroad stations throughout Ohio.
With the help of OPA members and community partners, they will present a series of readings that feature poets and poems that honor Ohio’s legacy on the Underground Railroad and raise awareness of issues of social justice hate and prejudice.
Schedule:
Free guided house tours: 12 PM – 3 PM on the hour
Poetry in the Garden: 3 PM – 4:30 PM
Social Justice Poetry Workshops poetry workshops for adults and children: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
My First Tea Ceremony: A Japanese Traditional Tea
Saturday May 18, 2024 from 12:30-2:30pm.
Grace Kelton had a love for travel, and one of the places that she held special was Japan. In celebration of Asian American, Pacific Islander History Month, join the Kelton House and Yumiko Passalacqua of the Yokoso Center for an afternoon celebrating this wonderful culture.
Guests will be greeted with Mrs. Masako Nagata playing koto music, while enjoying bento boxes filled with Japanese treats during her performance.
Afterwards, there is a short presentation about Grace’s travels accompanied by a display of artifact she brought back, followed by Ms. Passalacque performing the tea ceremony. Guests will be able to participate and learn the art themselves.
$60. Friends of the Kelton House, $50. Reservations required.
Kelton House Garden Party
May 31, 2024 from 6:30 pm – 10 pm.
Tickets are $75. This year’s fundraiser will be a Wonderland-themed extravaganza Casino night with lots of fun planned. Details/tickets here.
admin says
Awesome! I’m not affiliated with the event (I just share the fun around the city), and I haven’t made it to a tea myself, but I’d love to some day! Please feel free to stop back and let me know what you thought of it after you go!
KATE KIDDON TILL says
Just made phone reservations for the tea on 3-8-2017. So looking forward to it and going on a guided tour of the museum:)
admin says
Thanks Sarah. I will make the change – it used to say that on the Kelton House website, but it appears they changed it at some point. I will check out what events Thurber House has to offer.
Sarah P says
Hello! the Kelton House isn’t the only house museum in Columbus. The Thurber House (for James Thurber at 77 W Jefferson) is also a house museum.