Current Exhibits

THE MARY & CARL BACH STORY

A thorough picture of Mary and Carl Bach’s tragic story including trial transcripts, a conservator’s look at preserving controversial objects, and how we view domestic violence in today’s society.

This exhibit was made possible with support from Anonymous, Mike & Terri Marsh, Alicia’s Voice, The Cocoon, Wood Co. ADAMHS Board & NAMI, Doug & Sandy Kerr, Kelli Kling, Melissa Krieger, Michael Sibbersen, Elizabeth Geer, Michael Penrod, Patricia Limes, Corey & Jodi Speweik, and the Wood County Historical Society.

ALLURE & ILLUSION: A ROSE COLORED ROMANCE

Showcasing beautiful wedding dresses once worn by local community members, this exhibit presents the foundation of marriage culture and how modern ideology is changing what it means to get married and strive for the American Dream.

Featuring the Frank Kalan Harlequin Romance Cover Art collection from Bowling Green State University Browne Popular Culture Library.

This exhibit was made possible by Ohio Humanities, Bowling Green State University Browne Popular Culture Library, American Frame, Your Perfect Day, Waddington Jewelers, BGSU Music Library & Bill Schurk Sound Archives, Edwin & Irma Wolf, Dave & Cindy Hollinger, The Wood County Genealogical Society, Cornelia Wagener, Joan & John Simon, Anonymous, The children of LaVerne (Snyder) & Harold Patten, D. Scott Cunningham in memory of Mid (Taylor) & Henry D. McKnight, The family of Sarah Ann (Crago) & Benedict Snyder, Emily (Vanek) & Allen Snyder in memory of Marjorie (Osborn) & Elwood Vanek, Jean (Wannamacher) & Chris Geist, Linda (Long) & Thomas Crawford, Paula (Rockwell) & Jack Miklovic, Sandra (Noch) & Richard Gill, Carol (Kaprowski) & Robert Warnimont, Beverly (Hansen) & Charles Robert Miner.

Answers for the 10 emoji phrases exhibit card:   1. Bride to be 2. Champagne toast 3. Cold feet 4. Dress shopping 5. Falling in love 6. Kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince  7. Destination wedding  8. Bridezilla 9. Say yes to the dress  10. Flower girl

FOR COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

Public Charity in Ohio by Way of the Poor Farm

This exhibit features documentary photography coupled with interpretive information about all 88 county poor farms in Ohio, up until the 1930s when public charity transitioned into the modern ideas of social work.

This exhibit was made possible with support from Ohio Arts Council, Ohio Humanities, and the Wood County Historical Society. Photography by Jeffrey Hall.

The “For Comfort & Convenience: Public Charity in Ohio by Way of the Poor Farm” exhibit has won 4 awards.

o 2020 Award of Excellence from American Association for State & Local History

o 2019 Award of Achievement for Best Exhibition from Ohio Museums Association

o 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award from Ohio Local History Alliance

o 2019 Public Education and Awareness Award from the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office.




A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH: Societal Response to Disease

Located inside the Pestilence House

This exhibit defines global diseases and illustrates social programs such as sanitary reform, urban planning, bath culture, nursing, pharmaceuticals, education, and public health organizations.

The exhibit is located inside the Pestilence House, which provided social distancing and rehabilitation to residents with communicable diseases such as Spanish flu or tuberculosis.

Also on display: An iron lung used as treatment in the early stages of polio.

CHASING THE WHITE RABBIT: An Historical Look at American Mental Illness

Located inside the Lunatic Asylum

This exhibit brings attention to the history of mental illness in America including misconceptions and advancements.

The Lunatic Asylum was built at the Infirmary to house Wood County’s mentally ill.

Wood County Mental Health Resources: ADAMHS Board | NAMI | Behavioral Connections / Harbor Wood County | Zepf Center

THE ICE HOUSE

Step inside our county’s early form of refrigeration. Built in 1905 with materials from the old county jail, this building now keeps cool a display about its history. Before the days of electric refrigeration, the Ice House served as a receptacle for ice blocks harvested from the site’s ponds to preserve meat and canned goods used to feed the Infirmary residents.