Visit Kelton House Museum for tours, history, and seasonal events

The Kelton House Museum stands as a snapshot of 19th century life and a station on the Underground Railroad.

It is a treasure trove of Victoriana, containing everything from lavishly embellished Victorian silverware to unusual items such as a woven-hair brooch worn by Kelton family members. 

When Grace Kelton died in 1975, her will entrusted the Kelton property to the Columbus Foundation with the stipulation that her family home be preserved and used for educational purposes. 

Today the Kelton House offers an ongoing programming of house tours, special events, and educational opportunities, and is run by the Junior League of Columbus.

Kelton House Museum Hours

Monday-Wednesday (by appointment only)
Thursday – Sunday | 12pm-4pm
Month of January | CLOSED
New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas | CLOSED

Kelton House Docent-Led Tours

Tours will highlight the beautifully restored Museum and tell you about life in early Columbus through the eyes of the Kelton family. 

Tours begin on the hour at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Arrive 5 min before tour begins. Details.
$7/adults, $5/seniors (55+), $3/student

Group rates available over 18 people. Maximum # of guests per tour: 30. No registration required. 

Is Kelton House Haunted?

As a former stop in the Underground Railroad, the house has definitely witnessed some things. Once Grace Bird Kelton, the oldest living member of the family, passed away in 1967, the Junior League of Columbus took over the property and began renovations.

Since then, there have been numerous and regular occurrences that can’t be explained, such as interior doors opening in the night when the home is empty, people in period attire that disappear as suddenly as they appear, and furniture being moved.

Guests and staff have reported seeing various potential hauntings, but they are all harmless, and likely just former members of the family.

Note: the museum doesn’t not allow paranormal investigations on the property. So if you visit, please visit to explore and learn about the family and history, not as just a ghost hunt.

Kelton House Museum Programming

My First Tea Ceremony: A Japanese Traditional Tea

Saturday May 3, 2025 from 12:30-2:30pm.

Grace Kelton had a love for travel, and one of the places that she held special was Japan. In celebration of Asian American, Pacific Islander History Month, join the Kelton House and Yumiko Passalacqua of the Yokoso Center for an afternoon celebrating this wonderful culture.

Guests will be greeted with Mrs. Masako Nagata playing koto music, while enjoying bento boxes filled with Japanese treats during her performance.

Afterwards, there is a short presentation about Grace’s travels accompanied by a display of artifact she brought back, followed by Ms. Passalacque performing the tea ceremony. Guests will be able to participate and learn the art themselves.

$65. Friends of the Kelton House, $55. Reservations required. 

Voices from the Past: The Kelton Family Letters
During the Civil War Reenactment Performance At Green Lawn Cemetery

Sunday, June 1st, 2025,  2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Green Lawn Cemetery

Join us at the Grand Gazebo in historic Green Lawn Cemetery, the final resting place of Kelton Family members,  to witness a dramatic reading of the letters written between Oscar, his older sister Anna, and his loving parents during the years 1862 to 1866.

Experience the insightful and detailed first hand descriptions of Oscar’s military experiences and ambitions, his candid conversations with sister Anna, and the parental concerns of Fernando and Sophia Kelton that are depicted in these compelling family letters. Tickets are $15-$30. Purchase here. 

Kelton House Garden Party 

May 17, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 10 pm. 

Tickets are $75. This year’s fundraiser will be a Regency Garden Party, starting with Champagne and Cotillion Instruction in the garden. Enjoy heavy appetizers and libations, and experience the excitement of our underground gaming parlor with blackjack and craps. Relax in the garden with coffee, tea, and soothing melodies. Details/tickets here.

The Kelton House Museum & Garden
586 East Town Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 464-2022
website
keltonhouse@cs.com

Want to explore more? We have a whole list of discounted and free museum days for great museums around Columbus.

Discounted and Free Museum Days in Columbus

photo source

Victorian Tea at Kelton House

The Kelton House also hosts Victorian Teas throughout the year with a tasteful sampling of savories and sweets reminiscent of 19th century ladies’ get-togethers. The menu for each Tea is different, but is always accompanied by traditional Earl Grey tea. Reservations are required.

Holiday Tea at Kelton House

TBA 2024 at 2:30 pm. Experience a special Victorian holiday tea at the Kelton House with a festive display. Enjoy your tea with selections from a sweet and savory table.

Afterwards, we will hear about the Kelton family and their Victorian Holiday customs. Following will be a tour of the historic Kelton House all dressed in Victorian seasonal splendor. 

Tickets are $60 and very limited (20 remain as of Nov 21). Friends of the Kelton House please contact director@keltonhouse.com for your discount code. Purchase tickets here.

September is International Underground Railroad Month in Ohio

The Kelton House Museum and Garden presents the Emmy winning documentary “A Higher Law the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858” which was awarded an Emmy this year by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences- Ohio Valley.
When: Thursday, September 12th, 2024, 7pm meet the producers, 7:30 film presentation
This event is free but reservations are required due to limited seating. 

Victorian Mourning Tea at Kelton House

Sunday, October 20, 2024, 2:30pm -3:30pm

Enjoy savory treats and exquisite teas. Learn about the evolving burial traditions that were taking place during the Victorian Era.  Free museum tour after. 

Randy Rogers, our presenter for the afternoon, has been a trustee at Green Lawn Cemetery since 2011, and is a past president and current executive director of the cemetery association. With a background in wildlife management and history, he has a broad perspective on Green Lawn and its unique place in the Columbus community.

Randy will discuss the founding of the cemetery as part of the Rural Cemetery Movement and its evolution over time, its value as an arboretum and Audubon Important Bird Area, and highlight the connection with the Kelton family.
Tickets are $60; reservations required. 

Fernando’s Funeral: A 2024 Haunted Tour

October 24-25, 2024 from 6:30 pm -9 pm. Fernando’s Funeral: Victorian Mourning and the Ghosts That Linger on Town. These after hour tours feature the ghost stories of the Kelton’s and other spooky experiences in the Mansion, an experience you don’t want to miss.

Hurry and purchase your ticket before its too late, tours begin on the half-hour with 15 people maximum per tour. Tickets $30-$40 per person. Advanced tickets required.

Kelton House during Trolley Hop

December 7, 2024, 1pm – 7pm

Come downtown and see the city all dressed up for the holidays then hop on a trolley and visit Kelton House Museum and Garden all decked out for the season.  Learn about Victorian Holiday traditions and how the Kelton family celebrated the season in their town street home.  Stop in for our sing along with period music by pianist Pricilla Hewetson or a visit with Father Christmas.  Holiday treats and punch will be served.  This event is FREE!

• Timed tours every 20 minutes starting on the hour during Trolley Hop.
• Take part carol sing along with Pricilla 2pm and 4pm.
• Visit with Father Christmas 3pm and 5pm

A Visit with Dickens- Victorian Holiday Tour

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Ticket holders will enjoy a holiday inspired tour at the Kelton House Museum and Garden all decked out for the season. This guided tour, with interactive performances, focuses on Dickens’ “American Notes for General Circulation” travelogue written during his tour of the USA which included a stop in Columbus!

Hear about Dickens’ travels and impression of America, and learn about Victorian Holiday traditions and how the Kelton family celebrated the holiday in their town street home.  On display will be our collection of historic holiday decor and ornaments.  Finish with live period music by pianist Pricilla Hewetson, a visit with Father Christmas, and delicious treats and punch.

 Tours begin on the hour with 16 people per group maximum. Tour duration is 45-50 minutes. Content is appropriate for children over the age of 13. Tickets are $35 and just a few are remaining.