While out Exploring America's Backyard we came upon a lovely small town in Warren County, Ohio called Waynesville. This lovely town has a rich history that is preserved at the Waynesville Area Heritage & Cultural Center at The Friends Home. Visiting The Friends Home is like entering a time machine filled with items from days gone by. The Museum is housed in the 1905 Friends Boarding Home that remains much as it did when retired Quakers and single school teachers lived there in its early days. As the gateway to the Quaker Historical District in Waynesville, Ohio, the Friends Home now operates as a cultural center for the village, and for Wayne and Massie Townships of Warren County.
The Friends Home sits at the top of Quaker Hill two blocks off downtown Waynesville. Sixteen rooms of historic exhibits are offered on three floors. Each room highlights a local community or an aspect of early Quaker life, period clothing, local medicine and education. Step down in the basement and you'll find one of our favorite exhibits that feature a cozy living area right out of the 1950's. Filled with 1950's style furnishing and household items, you can imagine coming home then and putting an Elvis record on the turntable.
The Friends Home host several events throughout the year, including a English Garden Tea gathering in Early May that features special entertainment. In Mid May they hold a Trash 'n Treasures Yard Sale where you can find an assortment of treasures to take home. Later in the year in the Fall The Friends Home invites you to take Walking History Ghost Tour in October. Those who enjoy a good ghost story like those Alfred Hitchcock would portray in his movies will enjoy the tour with the museum volunteers, who share stories of Waynesville's haunted past and present!
Call your friends and family and plan to attend one of the highlights of the year; the annual Victorian Christmas Open House held in Early December. The festive events bring locals and travelers from afar to join in celebrating the season. The Museum will be decorated for the holidays and open for tours Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Around town, merchants greet travelers with warm smiles as they admire the holidays decorations and sharing in the celebrations.
Waynesville is the perfect spot for a relaxing retreat from the big city! We had fun meeting the locals and merchants who filled us in on the town's history, and offered suggestions on where to dine. It is the warmth and charm of the town's people that bring us back to discover something new on each trip to Warren County, Ohio. One the biggest events in Waynesville is the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival that is held on the second full weekend in October. Along with events and performances, the festival features plenty of fine crafts by local artists, fun activities for the family, and of course, delicious food and Sauerkraut! Volunteers work hard throughout the year preparing for this exciting event, and it shows!
Waynesville has a many boutique shops offering unique gifts, restaurants serving home style cooking, and several charming bed and breakfast. It is also home to many festive events throughout the year. We hope you enjoy visiting Waynesville and The Friends Home as much as we did!
Visit The Heritage And Cultural Center At The Friends Home
The Friends Home is open Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, 1-4 p.m., from April through December for tours. Office hours Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special group tours can be scheduled at any time. Call 513.897.1607 or visit www.friendshomemuseum.org to learn more about upcoming events at The Friends Home.
About The Author
For Melody Schubert, life is simple; embrace moments with family and friends. And, when it comes to traveling, maps are good for returning to the highway. It's more fun to let your imagination be your compass and wander off the beaten track to discover overlooked destinations that express the heart of a region. Where will your compass take you?
