A washboard once featured in almost every house; of course, that was before electricity and automatic washers were invented. The washboard was invented around the mid-1830s and made life so much easier than the laborious process of hand washing!

The Columbus Washboard Company has been producing washboards since 1895 and still uses some of the vintage tools and machinery to create its products.

Washboards these days can still be used for scrubbing clothes. They can be purely decorative or used as a musical instrument, mainly for bluegrass music.

Guided tours of the factory are available three times per day. There is an admission fee.

There is a wide range of sizes and designs of washboards available to purchase, as well as handmade soaps and salves, vintage laundry items, Fostoria glassware, and more.

Where is Columbus Washboard Co Located?

• Address: 4 E Main St, Logan, Ohio 43138
• Phone: 740-380-3828 | Website | Facebook

Location Map for Columbus Washboard Co

More Places to Visit in Hocking Hills

Have you visited the Columbus Washboard Company? Did you take the factory tour? We’d love to know! Share your experience with us in the comments below.

Hocking Hills has so many unique places to visit. Here are a few of our suggestions: call in to the Oasis Coffee Shop, and after some refreshment, you might like to play a round of mini golf on their 18-hole course. At Hocking Hills Candleworks visitors can create their own candle scent. While there, right next door is Christmas Treasures and the Wind Chime Shop.

If you plan to go hiking in Hocking Hills, be sure to stop by the Welcome Center before heading out. Helpful staff can provide advice, leaflets, and maps. If you still want more, see our Ultimate Guide to Hocking Hills.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

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This post is part of a sponsored tour provided by Experience the Peninsula.

Experience the Peninsula Tours

With Experience the Peninsula tour company you can create a 4, 6, or 8-hour tour by adding one, two, or three activities and a meal option. A list of activities for various age groups is available online.

Alternatively, you can choose a curated VIP tour, including the Bullseye Burn Challenge (4 hours), Beach Day Experience (6 hours), Shopping Adventure (6 hours), and a Kids Birthday Bash (4 hours). Information about all the curated tours is available on the website.

Your group will be picked up and dropped off at a designated location. You can bring beverages to consume on the Swig Ohio Shuttle bus during your experience.

My Customized Tour Experience

I recently took a customized tour with Experience the Peninsula. We participated in a Historical, Vintage and Upscale Resale Shopping Adventure. The tours are designed for local or visiting groups for any occasion. Think girls’ weekend, birthday celebration, or family get-together!

Our Itinerary

10 am: Port Clinton Lighthouse Tour – Private tour

10:45 am: Portage Upscale Resale – This non-profit gives out close to $100K in grants to local charitable organizations.

11:45 am: Unique – This is an upscale consignment shop offering a wide selection of antiques, gifts, jewelry, and local artisanal items.

12:45 pm: The Lighthouse Resale Shop – This is a charitable resale shop where all proceeds work to feed residents of Ottawa County.

1:45 pm – Marblehead Lighthouse – Group Tour. We also had a delicious charcuterie cup near the water’s edge. It was the perfect way to end the day!

Transportation is provided by Swig. If you are planning a trip to Ottawa County, I highly recommend contacting Kristina at Experience the Peninsula. She will set you up with an amazing adventure of your choice and take care of ALL the details!

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Additional Services

Experience the Peninsula also offers gift baskets and personal shopping services tailored to your tours. They prepare welcome baskets filled with locally crafted products. The products in my basket came from various local businesses, including The Yellow House Bakery, The Verve Eclectic Local Goods, Great Lakes Popcorn, and Port Clinton Candy Company. This service adds a personalized touch to your visit, showcasing the best local offerings.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Experience the Peninsula offers an additional service where a local photographer captures the spontaneous and memorable moments of your visit. You’ll receive digital photos within 7 days of your event, with options to purchase prints or create keepsakes. This service ensures that your special moments are beautifully preserved.

If you need accommodations in the area, Experience the Peninsula is a great resource. They can recommend a range of options, from hotels to Airbnb rentals. They even helped us secure an Airbnb that’s conveniently located within walking distance of downtown. Looking for a unique and enjoyable way to explore the town? They’ve got you covered there, too. They arranged for us to drive a Moke – an open-air electric vehicle – around downtown, making it a fun and memorable way to see the sights.

Contact Details for Experience the Peninsula

• Phone: 419-960-5401 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Experience the Peninsula appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

The Hocking Hills Tourism Association opened the regional Hocking Hills Welcome Center in 1994 at U.S. 33 and State Route 664. They assist about 45,000 visitors each year here!

You can pick up brochures for activities available in the area at this inviting welcome center. You can also ask for directions. Not only that, you have the opportunity to learn about the history of Hocking Hills as well as check for lodging availability.

Travel Counselors are there to assist you!

They are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and from 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Hocking Hills Welcome Center Located?

• Address: 13178 St. Rt. 664 S, Logan, Ohio 43138
• Phone: 740-385-9706 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for Hocking Hills Welcome Center

More Things to Do in Hocking Hills

If you are in the Hocking Hills area, hike to the beautiful and unique Devil’s Bathtub! See the creeks, ravines, and Blackhand sandstone cliffs at Clear Creek Metro Park, or check out some places to hike at 7 Major Hiking Areas of Hocking Hills.

Check out more local gems in Ohio – The Boot Shop Outlet Hocking Hills, Gluten-Free from The Dipped, Adventure Golf at Rempel’s Grove, Kampfire Coffee Roasters, and Yutzy’s Farm Market.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Hocking Hills Welcome Center appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Image courtesy of Cork and Tap Excursions

Mike Garbrandt is the owner of Cork and Tap Excursions which he runs with the support of his wife Wendy, son Michael, and daughter Libby.

The tours provide safe and reliable transportation between wineries, breweries, and distilleries in Central, East Central, and Southeastern Ohio.

Mike takes pride in being a ‘tour service’, not just a transportation company. He wants his clients to know about the places they are visiting and why those places have a passion for the wine, beer, or spirits they create.

He gives his customers a concierge-type experience, from making reservations for the stops, making recommendations for dining or lodging, and being able to provide a complete experience without worrying about anything except having fun!

For more information about the tours, rules and regulations, and lots of tips, see the Cork and Tap Excursions FAQ page.

You can customize your own tour, even outside of the seven-county area of the set tours. The maximum group size is 10.

Be sure to check out the Cork and Tap Excursions website and social media for more information!

Images courtesy of Cork and Tap Excursions

Contact Details for Cork and Tap Excursions

• Phone: 740-409-4123 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

More Things to Do in Ohio

If you enjoy wineries, you might like our comprehensive directory of Ohio Wineries. If adventure is more your thing, check out Ziplining in Ohio and Canoeing in Ohio.

Check out more local gems in Ohio – The Pearl Dublin, Gluten-Free from The Dipped, Lofts Coffee Company and Roastery, Yutzy’s Farm Market, and Kampfire Coffee Roasters.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Cork and Tap Excursions appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Map of Castles in Ohio

Castles in Ohio to Visit

Not all the featured castles in this article are strictly ‘castles.’ Some are manor houses, others are towers – but they are all worth visiting! The following castles are those that are open to visitors:

The Brumback Library

The Brumback Library building was the dream of John Sanford Brumback, but he sadly died before he could realize his dream. However, his son, Orville S. Brumback, fulfilled his wishes and constructed the building we see today. Construction started in July 1899 and was completed in January 1901.

The architecture is a combination of Gothic and Romanesque, with a Ludowici tile roof and turreted towers. This was the first tax-supported library in the US.

• Address: 21 W. Main St., Van Wert, Ohio 45891
• Phone: 419-238-3180 | Website 

Glamorgan Castle

Glamorgan Castle was originally built as a private residence for Col. William Henry Morgan in 1904. It remained in the Morgan family until 1938. It was sold to the Elks organization, which used it as their lodge until 1964 when Merrick Lewis purchased the castle as the headquarters for Alliance Machine.

In 1973, Glamorgan Castle was sold to Alliance City Schools, and a new school was built on the grounds directly behind the castle. Glamorgan Castle continues to be used as administrative offices.

Guided tours of all four floors of Glamorgan Castle are held every Friday at 1 pm and 2 pm. The tour takes one hour.

NOTE: There are many steps!

• Address: 200 Glamorgan St, Alliance, Ohio 44601
• Phone: 330-238-8787 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Loveland Castle/Chateau Laroche

Chateau Laroche, also known as the Loveland Castle, is a museum on the Little Miami River. The building is in the style of a medieval castle, and construction began in 1927 with Harry D. Andrews. It took over fifty years to complete the building.

When Harry Andrews died in 1981, he willed the castle to the Knights of the Golden Trail, who have extensively upgraded and renovated the building.

School tours, small weddings, and photo shoots can be arranged by appointment. Some of the activities Loveland Castle offers are picnicking, games and puzzles, architecture, swords, and weapons.

• Address: 12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, Ohio 45140
• Phone: 513-683-4686 | Website

The Castle at Marietta

The Castle at Marietta houses the Castle Museum, which focuses on the history of Marietta and the Mid-Ohio Valley.

This castle was built in 1855 in the Gothic Revival style. In 1974, the property was purchased by Bertlyn and Stewart Bosley, who spent the next 17 years renovating and restoring the house, but they never resided there. Upon the deaths of the brother and sister, the property was donated to the Betsey Mills Corporation, which completed the final repairs.

The castle opened to the public in 1994, and they run tours and offer educational and cultural programs, history and archaeology summer camps, and more. There is an admission fee for Marietta Castle, and their opening hours vary throughout the year. Check out their website for information before you visit.

• Address: 418 4^th St, Marietta, Ohio 45750
• Phone: 740-373-4180 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Mac-O-Chee

Mac-O-Chee is one of two historic houses in Logan County, it was built by brothers Donn and Abram Piatt, and work began in 1864. The building was completed in 1879. This is the larger of the two castles. The house was sold by the Piatt family in 2019.

Mac-O-Chee is now a wedding and event center. This has been made into a beautiful setting for wedding photos.

• Address: 2319 OH-287, West Liberty, Ohio 43357
• Phone: 937-869-6126 | Website | Facebook

Piatt Castle: Mac-A-Cheek

Mac-A-Cheek was built by Abram Piatt, and work began in 1864. The building was completed in 1871. Mac-A-Cheek is slightly smaller than Mac-O-Chee. The Piatt family still owns and runs it.

Their opening hours vary throughout the year, and there is an admission fee. Check the website for more information if you wish to visit.

• Address: 10051 Township Rd 47, West Liberty, Ohio 43357
• Phone: 937-465-2821 | Website | Facebook

Squire’s Castle

Squire’s Castle is in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Feargus Squire began construction on a gatekeeper’s house in 1895 in the Romanesque Revival style.

Completed in 1897, the walls consist of locally quarried Euclid bluestone. Squire abandoned plans for a manor house due to difficulty obtaining building materials.

The castle is now just a shell of a building, although it originally had three floors, a basement, and leaded glass windows. The open expanses in front of the castle are great for games and picnics, and it is a popular spot for weddings.

• Address: 2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094
• Phone: 216-635-3200 | Website
• Check out our article about Squire’s Castle!

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is a historic house museum in Akron, Ohio. On the estate, there are gardens, a greenhouse, a carriage house, as well as the main mansion, which is one of the largest houses in the US.

The estate was built between 1912 and 1915, commissioned by Frank Seiberling who was co-founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The manor house has four floors and a basement, totaling 64,500 square feet.

Here, you can take guided tours, which include a tour of the house, a garden tour, an outdoor historical tour, and a “nooks and crannies” tour that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the estate’s domestic staff who lived and worked there. More tours are available, and the details are on the website.

• Address: 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, Ohio 44303
• Phone: 330-836-5533 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Castles in Ohio to Stay At

The following castles are inns, hotels, or guest houses:

Ravenwood Castle

The design of Ravenwood Castle is similar to the castles built in the 12th and 13th centuries to safeguard the boundary between England and Wales. Construction began in 1994, commissioned by the Maxwell family, and the building was completed in 1995.

Originally, Ravenwood had only four guest rooms, but the addition of cottages in the ‘medieval village’ and ‘Huntsman’s Hollow’ cabins has increased the rooms to 21 today.

Ravenwood Castle is a beautifully luxurious place to stay in the very popular Hocking Hills area of Ohio. It has been owned and run since 2012 by Jim and Pam Reed.

• Address: 65666 Bethel Road, New Plymouth, Ohio 45654
• Phone: 740-596-2606 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

GreatStone Castle

GreatStone Castle, also known as Whitby Mansion – named after the town of Whitby in Yorkshire, England – is a historic building in Sidney, Ohio. It was built in 1890 in Tudor Revival, Chateauesque, and Jacobethan styles.

The Castle has survived two major fires, one in 1899 and the other in 1941. The Goode family originally owned it, and now GreatStone Castle Resorts owns and operates it as a luxury bed and breakfast, along with a health and beauty spa.

• Address: 429 N Ohio Ave, Sidney, Ohio 45365
• Phone: 937-498-4728 | Website | Facebook

Landoll’s Mohican Castle

In 2016, an episode of ‘Hotel Hell’ featured Landoll’s Mohican Castle. Gordon Ramsay, as only he can, sorted out the problems and the castle is now fully functioning, luxurious, as well as very popular, with great reviews!

Owned by the Landoll family, this castle offers a good selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu items, as well as gluten-free options available. There is also a kids’ menu and a happy hour menu. More information is available on their website.

• Address: 561 Township Road 3352, Loudonville, Ohio 44842
• Phone: 419-994-3427 | Website | Instagram

The Castle Inn

The Castle Inn is a bed and breakfast in Central Ohio. Constructed in 1895 by Samuel Ruggles, this inn offers a romantic getaway; or, at the other end of the spectrum, they also hold murder mystery nights every month! The Castle Inn is close to Hocking Hills, Columbus, and the Circleville Pumpkin Festival in the fall.

They offer both indoor and outdoor wedding packages, even an elopement option!

• Address: 610 S. Court St., Circleville, Ohio 43113
• Phone: 740-412-2472 | Website | Facebook

More Castles in Ohio

• Franklin Castle (also known as Tiedemann House) is now a private residence in Cleveland.
• Grizer Castle is a wedding venue in Whipple, Washington County.
• Schwartz Castle is now offices and condominiums in Columbus.
• Frankenstein’s Castle, also known as Patterson’s Castle or the Witch’s Tower, is in Hills & Dales Metropark, Kettering.
• The Arts Castle is located in Delaware. This castle is an art school. Self-guided tours are available.

Let’s Visit Castles in Ohio!

Have you visited any of these castles in Ohio? We would love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

If you enjoy visiting historical places in Ohio, check out our articles: Covered Bridges in Ohio, Clifton Mill, Ohio Caverns, and Caves in Ohio.

For a fun September event that brings historical culture into the limelight, the Ohio Swiss Festival is the one to visit, and for the Festive season, Clifton Mill Christmas Lights is an amazing experience!

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Castles in Ohio appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.