What Ohio History Connection does

Ohio History Connection (OHC), formerly the Ohio Historical Society, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chartered in 1885 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. It is the state's official history organization and serves as a vertically integrated operator across preservation, education, and visitor-facing heritage experiences. Its portfolio combines three statutory functions — the State Historic Preservation Office, the official state archives, and administration of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit (over $432 million deployed since inception) — with a 50+ site visitor network spanning 40 counties, including the Ohio History Center flagship museum and Ohio Village living-history attraction currently under Campus 2.OH renovation. OHC also stewards 3 of the 8 components of Ohio's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (inscribed September 2023), and maintains a 2-million-artifact / 700,000+ archival-item collection indexed through the Ohio Memory digital archive.

Operationally, OHC monetizes through a layered revenue stack: unit-priced admissions ($16 adult, $14 senior/student, $10 child; $1 SNAP/EBT via Museums for All), tiered annual memberships ($50-$160 with reciprocal benefits at 300+ Time Travelers and 1,000+ NARM museums), donations (annual fund, monthly Cardinals, Eleanor C. Mabry Legacy Society), retail via the Ohio History Store, education contracts (digital curricula, field trips, Ohio History Day), and competitive Ohio History Fund matching grants funded through state income tax check-off. Distribution combines 58+ physical sites, Blackbaud-powered e-commerce (online ticketing, membership, donations), phone reservations, and a field sales team for group tours. The organization employs 101-250 staff under CEO Megan Wood, holds AAM Accreditation (reaccredited 2024/2025), and operates a partnership ecosystem that includes the National Park Service (Hopewell co-stewardship), Conestoga (volunteer fundraising), KultureCity (accessibility), America250-Ohio (Revolutionary War graves project), and a network of Ohio Presidential Trail partners.

Customers split across general public/families, K-12 educators and students, researchers and genealogists, local history organizations/CLGs receiving grants and technical assistance, and property owners navigating preservation incentives. Strategic positioning is anchored by the 2024 $63.75M state capital appropriation, the January 2025 public opening of Octagon Earthworks, and ongoing America 250-Ohio programming. A 2023 ransomware attack (notified August 2023) remains a stated operational footnote without disclosed financial impact.

Name

Ohio History Connection

Legal name

Ohio History Connection

Website

https://ohiohistory.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ohio History Connection is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit chartered in 1885 that operates Ohio's flagship history museum, 50+ historic sites, the State Historic Preservation Office, and stewards the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks UNESCO World Heritage Site, serving visitors, educators, researchers, donors, and preservation partners across Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage and Historic Preservation Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC), Archaeological Sites & Heritage Interpretation Centers (THAJADAG)

Keywords

• History museum operations
• Historic preservation services
• State archives management
• Cultural heritage education
• Archaeological site management

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Ticket sales to Ohio History Center and historic sites. General admission $16 adults, $14 seniors/students, $10 children ages 4-12. Members receive free admission.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs with tiered pricing ($50-$160). Benefits include free admission, reciprocal benefits, discounts, and Echoes Magazine. Drives predictable recurring revenue.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Annual giving campaign, legacy gifts (Eleanor C. Mabry Legacy Society), stock donations, IRA gifts, monthly giving program (The Cardinals). Major gift from Conestoga of $100,000 in June 2026.
4. Ohio History Fund Grants: Competitive matching grants program funded through Ohio income tax check-off. In 2026, 15 grants awarded to community history organizations. Program is in its 14th year.
5. Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program: Manages tax credit program that has invested over $432 million in historic buildings. In June 2026, $86 million in tax credits awarded to support 37 projects preserving 51 buildings.
6. Retail Sales - Ohio History Store: E-commerce and on-site retail through Ohio History Store offering souvenirs, books, and historical items. Members receive 10% discount.
7. Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Sponsorships: Strategic Partners program with corporate sponsors including GCAC, College Advantage, Columbus Foundation, White Castle, and Crane Group.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ohio History Connection operates a statewide portfolio of historic sites, museums, and educational programs that preserve and interpret Ohio's cultural heritage. Core offerings include admission-based visitation to the Ohio History Center and 50+ partner-managed historic sites, tiered memberships with reciprocal museum benefits, the State Historic Preservation Office regulatory and grant programs, the Ohio Memory digital archive, and K-12 educational curricula and field trips.

Product overview

The Ohio History Connection operates as a statewide history organization offering a unified portfolio of visitor-facing attractions and behind-the-scenes preservation services. The core visitor experience consists of the Ohio History Center museum (flagship) and Ohio Village living history museum (currently under renovation), complemented by a network of 50+ historic sites across Ohio including the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Newark Earthworks, Fort Ancient, and Serpent Mound. Educational offerings include digital curricula (Ohio As America, United Stories of America), virtual learning, and Ohio History Day. The organization operates the State Historic Preservation Office managing National Register nominations and tax incentives, distributes Ohio History Fund grants, maintains the Ohio Memory digital archive, and provides archives/library research services. Membership programs offer tiered access with reciprocal benefits at 300+ museums nationwide. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chartered in 1885, formerly known as the Ohio Historical Society.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ohio History Center The Ohio History Center is the flagship history museum in Columbus featuring permanent and rotating exhibits on Ohio history, archaeology, natural history, and the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. It serves the general public, families, school groups, and tourists as the primary visitor destination of Ohio History Connection.
• Ohio Village Ohio Village is a living history museum that recreates 19th-century Ohio life with costumed interpreters, historic buildings, and the Ohio Village Muffins vintage base ball team. It is currently undergoing renovation as part of the Campus 2.OH initiative and serves visitors interested in immersive historical experiences.
• Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks Ohio's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising eight ancient earthwork complexes built by American Indian cultures approximately 2,000 years ago, including Newark Earthworks, Fort Ancient, and associated sites. Serves tourists, researchers, and cultural heritage visitors.
• Historic Sites Network A network of more than 50 historic sites and museums across 40 Ohio counties, including 33 historic sites, 4 natural history sites, 12 museums, 9 archaeological sites, 5,000 acres of land, 300 buildings constructed from 1788 to 2013, 8 canal locks, 4 major bridges, and 2 boats. Serves as the primary statewide visitation footprint for Ohio History Connection.
• Ohio Memory Digital Archive Ohio Memory is a digital repository providing online access to historical collections, photographs, documents, and artifacts from Ohio's history and cultural heritage institutions. It serves researchers, family historians, students, and the general public seeking online access to Ohio's archival materials.
• State Historic Preservation Office Services The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) manages National Register of Historic Places nominations, Ohio and Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit administration, Section 106 federal reviews, Certified Local Government programs, and an online mapping system for property documentation. Serves historic property owners, developers, architects, preservation consultants, and local governments in Ohio.
• Ohio History Fund Grants The Ohio History Fund is a competitive matching grants program funded through Ohio income tax check-off donations, awarding grants to community history organizations across Ohio. In 2026, 15 grants were awarded in the program's 14th year. Serves local historical societies and community preservation organizations.
• Education Programs Education Programs include standards-aligned digital curricula (Ohio As America, United Stories of America), virtual learning programs, Museum In A Box, K-12 field trips, homeschool resources, the Ohio History Day competition, and professional development for educators. Serve Ohio K-12 schools, teachers, homeschool families, and students.
• Membership Program The Membership Program is a multi-tiered annual subscription offering free admission to 50+ historic sites, reciprocal admission at 300+ museums (and 1,000+ NARM museums for Premium tier), Echoes Magazine, member events, voting rights, and a 10% Ohio History Store discount. Tiers include Individual+Guest ($50), Duo ($55), Household ($70), Plus ($95), and Premium ($160). Serves individuals, families, and households seeking recurring engagement with Ohio History Connection.
• Ohio Presidential Trail The Ohio Presidential Trail is a thematic road trip initiative highlighting Ohio's presidential heritage, featuring 7 U.S. presidents with connections to Ohio and the related network of historic sites. Serves tourists and presidential history enthusiasts through a multi-site coordinated experience.
• Museums for All Columbus Museums for All Columbus is an accessibility-focused admission program providing $1 admission to the Ohio History Center and Ohio Village for up to 8 visitors per SNAP/EBT cardholder, as part of a national Museums for All initiative. Serves SNAP/EBT recipients and low-income families who otherwise face financial barriers to museum access.
• Archives and Library Research Services Archives and Library Research Services provide access to the State Archives, Manuscripts and Audiovisual Collections, genealogy resources, and local government records programs. Includes on-site research room access and genealogy workshops for Premium members. Serves academic researchers, family historians, genealogists, and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400,000 annual visitors across 58+ sites
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• America250-OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2026Partnership to locate undocumented Revolutionary War soldier grave sites throughout Ohio ahead of Memorial Day. Uses Survey123 app to document graves. Project aims to compile accurate data for restored or new historical markers and gravestones for approximately 7,000 undocumented soldiers.
• Museums for All Columbus HubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerColumbus is a Museums for All Hub City with six museums committed to providing $1 admission for SNAP/EBT cardholders. Ohio History Center and Ohio Village participate. Partnership removes financial barriers to museum access for food assistance recipients.
• KultureCitycoreTechnology or IntegrationSensory inclusion certification program providing sensory bags with fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads, and a mobile app with social stories for guests with sensory processing needs. Ohio History Center & Ohio Village is Sensory Inclusive certified.
• GCAC (Greater Columbus Arts Council)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner providing support for arts and cultural programming. Listed among strategic partners whose critical support makes the organization's work possible.
• College AdvantageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOhio's 529 college savings plan listed as strategic partner.
• White CastleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed as strategic partner.
• Conestoga (Volunteer Fundraising Corps)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated volunteer fundraising organization celebrating its 40th anniversary. Announced $100,000 gift in June 2026 - the largest gift in Conestoga history. Plays vital role in advancing the organization's mission.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks World Heritage Site. National Park Service manages 5 of the 8 earthwork locations. Joint newsletter and coordinated management of UNESCO site.
• Hopewell Culture National Historical ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPS-managed site part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks World Heritage Site. Coordinated visitor access and interpretation with Ohio History Connection sites.
• James Preston Poindexter FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Poindexter Village African American Museum development and annual Drum Circle event celebrating African American history and culture.
• Ohio Presidential Trail PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of presidential sites and museums across Ohio including NPS sites, foundation-managed sites, and Ohio History Connection sites forming the Presidential Trail. Includes Harrison-Symmes Memorial Foundation, Hayes Presidential Center, Ulysses S. Grant Homestead Association, and others.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ohiohistory
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Ohio-Historical-Society/22003234344
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohiohistory
• Xx.com/ohiohistory

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ohio History Connection