Updated: 8/28/2012 
Kelso House Museum
Kent, Ohio
Description

The Kelso House Museum uses five rooms for exhibits that are open to the public. Displays on the first floor include an 1843 beam loom and a gallery that offers an assortment of special exhibits. The parlor, decorated in Victorian style, includes an organ and horsehair sofa while the kitchen features a wood-burning stove. In the upstairs bedrooms are many Kelso family items, including a low poster bed and a quilt made by Lucy Kelso.

The park-like grounds of the Kelso House includes several buildings and numerous items relevant to the early history of the community:

The Granary houses an antique tool exhibit that is open for viewing by appointment.

The double-bayed Boosinger Corn Crib anchors the northeast corner of the property and is used for storage.

The restored Garden Shed stands adjacent to the back porch of the Kelso House and holds garden tools.

A millstone from nearby Plum Creek Mill rests near the Memorial Herb Garden.

The original Town Hall Bell sits adjacent to the front door of the main building.

The Michael-Cable Barn, an example of an early 19th century New England-style farm building, serves many functions for BHS. That structure was moved to the Kelso House grounds in 1991.

Programs
Kelso House Lyceum Series

Each year BHS and Kelso House Museum offers the community the Kelso House Lyceum Series. All programs are free, open to the public and held in the McCormick Heritage Room of the Kelso House. Programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and are followed by refreshments and conversation. If you have questions, call the Kelso House Office at 330-673-1058 or e-mail us at curator@kelsohouse.org. We hope you can join us for this series of presentations. Donations would be greatly appreciated.

Kelso Kids' Club

September marks the beginning of the new school year and the beginning of Kelso Kids’ Club programs for the school year. This class is for grade school age children and meets the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Youngsters explore a variety of history-related topics. Sessions are held on the Kelso House grounds and in the McCormick Heritage Room unless otherwise announced. We ask for reservations by the Wednesday before each meeting so arrangements for supplies and supervision can be made

The Kelso History Club

The series of history-oriented programs for youngsters in grades five through eight emphasizes demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Topics explored in previous years include spinning yarn and weaving fabric, making pottery, people-powered hand tools and making and using pinhole cameras. Exploration of most topics requires several sessions. If you know someone who might be interested or you would like more information about the History Club, please contact the office by phone or e-mail.

Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members

Appointment required: True

Services
Renting the McCormick Heritage Room

The McCormick Heritage Meeting Room at the Kelso House is available to rent for special occasions.

An Invitation to join

Membership in the Brimfield Historical Society means being part of a tradition of local people who joined forces to establish and maintain a local museum dedicated to preserving objects and images that document the evolution of a Western Reserve community established in 1816.

Event Rental
Group Tours
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