Thurber House is a nonprofit literary arts center that serves as an educational gathering place for readers, writers, and artists from all over the world.
Since 1984, Thurber House and the Thurber Center next door have held author events, creative programming, writing workshops for kids and adults, writer residencies, camps and more.
Thurber House Living Museum (is it haunted?)
The Thurber House is the restored 1873 home of humorist, cartoonist, author, playwright, and journalist James Thurber, widely considered one of the foremost American humorists of the 20th century.
Thurber House functions as a living museum where interaction with some museum materials is permitted, allowing visitors to experience the house as if they were the Thurbers’ guests.
The home is filled with Thurber artifacts, memorabilia, antique furnishings, and informational panels and photographs about the family and James Thurber’s life and career. Reputed to be haunted, visitors are welcome to ask about the stories behind the rumors.
Dog Garden and Unicorn in the Garden
Visitors should also visit the Dog Garden and the Unicorn in the Garden. Stop by the peaceful Thurber Centennial Reading Garden located between Thurber House and Thurber Center to read, or just sit to relax.
You’ll find 4 larger-than-life-size Thurber dogs by Sculptor Dale Johnson, as well as a 5th dog on top of the fountain.
Across the street in Thurber Park, you’ll find the unicorn, modeled after the creature in Thurber’s story “The Unicorn in the Garden,”. The full text of which is engraved near the statue. The matching unicorn sculpture is located on the grounds of the Columbus School for Girls in Bexley.
Thurber House events
Thurber House offers programs throughout the year. Check back to see Spring programming soon.
Read more about upcoming events.
Adult Writing Workshops and Events
Events currently held in person or via Zoom. Workshops are focused on tips and tricks of the writing process, including character and story development, editing, and more. Register on the events page.
Thurber House Children’s Programs
Young Writers’ Studio: Every other week, local teens grades 9-12 gather to write, create, and explore ways to get their stories on paper. Sessions are $15 and held in-person at Thurber Center and simultaneously Zoomed for virtual participants. Register here.
Thurber House Summer Writing Camp: Grades 2–9. In-Person and Virtual Options Available. See dates and offerings here.
Looking for more events? Find future events on the current program calendar.
Visiting Thurber House
Open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00–4:00 pm. Self-guided tours are free and always available during museum hours.
Guided tours are available on Sundays only ($4 for adults, $2 for students/seniors).
Free parking is available via street parking along the Jefferson Ave oval. There is a 3 hour limit between 8 am – 6 pm, no limit after 6 pm or on Sundays. Note: only the spots along the one-way oval are free; the spots along the two-way ends of Jefferson Avenue (near Broad Street and Long Street) are not free.
Free visitor parking is available in the small lot directly behind Thurber House, accessible off 11th Street. There is no time limit as long as you are visiting Thurber House. All other parking lots do not belong to Thurber House and you may be towed.
Thurber House
77 Jefferson Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
Best of Columbus on the Cheap
Check out some of the most popular articles for Columbus on the CheapSubscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list
- Upcoming weekend events
- Nature walks and scenic hiking trails in Columbus
- Over 85 Indoor Play Places and Activities for kids around Columbus
- Huge List of Columbus Happy Hours
- Discounted and Free Museum Days in Columbus
- Over 20 Farmers Markets around Columbus
- Over 325 Central Ohio and Columbus Festivals
- Columbus Zoo Tickets, Discounts, and Free Days
- Kids Eat Free (or cheap) in Columbus
- Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio
- 50+ Best Free and Cheap Date Ideas
- Fun Nights Out in Columbus
- Where to find the cheapest gas
- 50+ Best Free and Cheap Things to do today in Columbus
Find more literary events below
Monday, September 25, 2023
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Friday, September 29, 2023
Monday, October 2, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Friday, October 6, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Monday, October 9, 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Friday, October 13, 2023
Monday, October 16, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
Monday, October 23, 2023
Friday, October 27, 2023
Monday, October 30, 2023
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Friday, November 3, 2023
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Monday, November 6, 2023
Friday, November 10, 2023
Monday, November 13, 2023
Friday, November 17, 2023
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Monday, November 20, 2023
Annual Thurber Prize for American Humor
Thurber Prize for American Humor is one of the highest recognitions of humor writing in the United States. During this annual event, guests are entertained with a spectacular evening of humor featuring the three award finalists, culminating with the announcement of the winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Past winner have included David Sedaris, Jon Stewart, Joe Keenan, Trevor Noah, and more. The event is April 22, 2022, at 7PM at Lincoln Theatre; tickets on sale in March.
Past events from 2022
Summer Literary Picnics
Enjoy an evening of good friends, good food, and great books on the lawn of Thurber House. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, a picnic dinner and drinks, and enjoy! More details and tickets here.
Adult Boxed Dinner + Reading | $41
Adult Reading Only | $21
18 and Under Reading Only | $5.25
Dinner Upgrade | $20 Add a boxed dinner to any Reading Only ticket or Full Summer Subscription for $20.
June 8, 2022: Author and Community Speaker Donte Woods-Spikes
Donte Woods-Spikes is a writer, public speaker, and filmmaker who uses authentic storytelling to educate and connect the world beyond perceptions and stereotypes.
June 30, 2022: Dean Regas, Astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory
Dean Regas has been the Astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory since 2000. He is a renowned educator, author, national popularizer of astronomy, and an expert in observational astronomy. At the Cincinnati Observatory, he has developed his skills as a dynamic writer and public speaker who brings the complicated field of astronomy down to Earth for students of all ages.
Join us at 6:00 pm for the rare opportunity to safely observe the sun through a telescope under Dean’s guidance (weather permitting)!
July 13, 2022: An Evening with Bestselling Author Jessica Strawser
Jessica Strawser is a bestselling author and the editor-at-large at Writer’s Digest, where she served as editorial director for nearly a decade and became known for her in-depth cover interviews with such luminaries as David Sedaris and Alice Walker.
July 27, 2022: Family Pirate Night with Leigh Lewis
Leigh Lewis is a children’s writer and poet who dreams up stories for kids of all ages. Join us on the lawn at 6:00 pm for pirate-themed activities and a food truck!
August 6, 2022: Bestselling Author Thrity Umrigar
Thrity Umrigar is the bestselling author of the novels Bombay Time, The Space Between Us, If Today Be Sweet, The Weight of Heaven, The World We Found, The Story Hour, Everybody’s Son and The Secrets Between Us. Her new novel, Honor, was an Indie Next List Pick for January 2022.
August 25, 2022: Award-Winning Author Carter Sickels
Carter Sickels is the author of the novel The Prettiest Star, winner of the 2021 Southern Book Prize and the Weatherford Award, and selected as a Kirkus Best Book of 2020 and a Best LGBT Book of 2020 by O Magazine.
Black Friday Sale – November 25-27: 75% Off Black Friday Sale; online only, excluding books. Use promo code THURBER75 to apply the discount.
Cyber Monday – November 28: Get $25 in Thurber Ca$h on Cyber Monday when you purchase a $25 or more gift card. Thurber Ca$h is valid for redemption through June 30, 2023.
Thurber Birthday Open House
December 8, 2022 from 1-7 pm
Celebrate James Thurber’s birthday with us at Thurber House at this free pop-in family event. Enjoy seasonal music, caroling, and hot chocolate to celebrate Thurber’s legacy.
The museum is open for extended hours from 1-7 pm.
On December 8 only, all merchandise (excluding books) is 75% off in the physical bookstore at 77 Jefferson Avenue.
Grab one-of-a-kind James Thurber-themed t-shirts, mugs, ornaments, dog toys, magnets, postcards, buttons, and more! Get some gifts for the Thurber enthusiasts in your life!
Leave a Reply