About Oberlin Heritage Center

The Oberlin Heritage Center (OHC) is a local history museum and historical society dedicated to preserving and sharing Oberlin, Ohio’s history. As an active nonprofit organization, OHC offers guided history tours, self-guided walking tours, and house museum tours featuring three historic buildings—the Monroe House, Little Red Schoolhouse, and Jewett House. OHC also provides public history programs, youth and adult educational programs, group history tours, and research assistance services.

With Oberlin’s nationally significant history in abolition, the Underground Railroad, universal education, and social justice, the stories of freedom seekers, Civil War soldiers, educators, and reformers continue to inspire visitors. OHC also acts as Oberlin’s historic preservation organization, assisting residents, scholars, and genealogists with local history research and archival services.

OHC is one of 42 Ohio museums accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a distinction that reflects the organization’s commitment to responsible stewardship of historical resources, engaging history tours, and museum excellence.

Organizational Reports & Policies

Work, Interns, & Volunteers

Vision Statement

The Oberlin Heritage Center is a nationally recognized leader in historic preservation and history education. OHC’s history programs and museum tours seek to educate, engage, and inspire the community, fostering understanding of how history shapes the present and future.

Mission

Preserve and share Oberlin’s unique heritage while enhancing the community as a better place to live, learn, work, and visit.

Core Values

Stewardship:   Protect and preserve historic homes, buildings, and archives, making them accessible to all.
Inspiration: Encourage critical thinking, empathy, and community dialogue through history education.
Inclusion: Welcome diverse perspectives and empower everyone as history keepers.
Equity: Promote fair access to historical resources and community programs.
Integrity:  Commit to authentic, accurate storytelling and transparent leadership.
Sustainability:  Build a future-focused, environmentally responsible history organization.

History of the Oberlin Heritage Center

The Oberlin Heritage Center traces its roots to 1903 when the Oberlin Improvement Society was founded to enhance public health and community services. In 1958, the Oberlin Historical Society formed to preserve historic buildings and artifacts. The two groups merged in 1964, becoming the Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization (O.H.I.O.).

In the 1990s, OHC evolved into a professional history museum and historic preservation organization, collecting Oberlin-related artifacts and historical archives. In 1998, the museum complex was named the Oberlin Heritage Center, now consisting of:

Today, OHC offers year-round historic home tours, Underground Railroad tours, Civil War history tours, walking tours, and local history museum programs. OHC’s genealogy research services and public history workshops support local historians and family researchers. As a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site, OHC is dedicated to preserving and sharing Oberlin’s role in freedom movements.

Staff

Liz Schultz
Executive Director
director@oberlinheritage.org

Amanda Manahan
Museum Education &
Tour Manager
tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org

Bethany Hobbs
Development & Business Manager
ohcbiz@oberlinheritage.org

Maren McKee
Collections Manager
collections@oberlinheritage.org

Steven Rice
Communications Manager
communications@oberlinheritage.org

Lucy Freeman
Special Projects & Tour Assistant

KayEllen Sharp
Vantage Aging

Board of Trustees

  • Ken Grossi – Board President
  • Claudia Jones – 1st Vice President
  • Amy Chuang – 2nd Vice President
  • Elizabeth Elrod – Secretary
  • Jiyul Kim – Treasurer
  • Cheryl Brice
  • Lori Ebihara
  • Carl Jacobson
  • Kathleen Jaffee
  • Rachael McCray
  • Evangeline McFarlin
  • Julie Min
  • Connie Schubert
  • Eugene Foggo Simon
  • Fr. Brian Wilbert
  • Mary Worthington
  • George Wright

Supporting Partners

The Oberlin Heritage Center is a non-profit organization currently supported by:

Members and friends like you! Become a Member

The Nord Family Foundation
The Community Foundation of Lorain County
Nordson Corporation
America250 – Ohio grant
Bill Long Foundation grant
Oberlin College Community-Based Work-Study Program
Leadership Lorain County
Vantage Aging