Grounds

The Wood County Museum was the former Wood County Infirmary, or “County Home.” The West Wing was built with Italianate influence in 1868 for $4,975.00, and used as the quarters for the Superintendent and Matron of the Infirmary. The west attic was added in 1873, followed by the Center and East Wings in the 1880s. Due to safety concerns, these two wings were demolished and rebuilt in 1898 and include a 2-story wooden porch and railings with a unique geometric design. In 1903, the front porch was added to the West wing for residents and staff to enjoy the beautiful grounds. All three wings rest on high, rough hewn limestone foundations.

After 103 years, the Infirmary closed in 1971 when a new County Infirmary (known today as WoodHaven Health Care) opened nearby. In 1972, the Wood County Park Commission and Historical Society became proprietors of the grounds and buildings. The Museum opened in 1975 as the recognized guardian of Wood County’s historical development.

The Museum is open to the public daily for self-guided tours and special events.

The 50-acre museum grounds are open to the public daily 8 AM until 30 minutes past sunset and are maintained by the Wood County Park District. We welcome guests to walk the grounds and enjoy the beautiful natural and historic sights.

WALKING TRAILS

There are two walking trails on the site. One starts at the Herb Garden and opens up by the Oil Derrick (short walk) or by the Log Cabin (long walk). The second trail can be entered near the Linwood Road Walking Bridge and circles around the south end of the property.

BLACK SWAMP HERB SOCIETY 

What is the Black Swamp Herb Society? More than 30 years ago women inspired by Jean Gamble offered to transform a meadow into an herb garden that would become a quiet oasis for all visitors to enjoy, to educate them on the beauty and uses of many herbs.

It consists of four main gardens: culinary, medicinal, fragrant, and everlasting. We have usually no more than 1-3 of each plant, being an educational space Where visitors can see the form and space needed to grow the different ones. There are also two thyme beds, a grandmother’s garden, a butterfly garden, and many other garden spaces as well.

There are no regular meetings, but if you are interested in volunteering, please email: museum@woodcountyhistory.org

Lyle Fletcher, one of the founding members of the Wood County Historical Society, had strong interests in climatology, journalism, education, and an appreciation for nature and history. Fletcher was instrumental in saving the Wood County Infirmary from demolition and saw it through its transition to museum in 1975. Because of his involvement in the Wood County Parks Commission, many of the trees on the grounds were planted at the direction of Fletcher, with supervision from arborist Mrs. Ruth Schurr.

The wide variety of trees planted in the original arboretum included natives, non-native species, and trees with medicinal properties. It is believed that many of the trees were selected to serve educational purposes. Today, the Wood County Park District works closely with the Wood County Museum to maintain the arboretum.