Kelton House Museum and Garden, Columbus

The Kelton House Museum and Garden offers a detailed look into 19th-century domestic life through the lens of one family’s multigenerational legacy. Built in 1852 by Fernando and Sophia Kelton, the house combines Greek Revival and Italianate architectural elements and served as a documented stop on the Underground Railroad. Fernando Kelton, a dry goods merchant and dedicated abolitionist, was chosen as a pallbearer during Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession in Columbus. His son Oscar fought in the Civil War and died in battle, while the family later took in and raised Martha Hartway, a young woman who had escaped slavery. Their descendants continued to shape the house’s legacy.

Today, the museum preserves over 80% of the home’s original furnishings, offering a continuous narrative from 1760 to 1975 through family belongings such as letters, business records, china, and textiles. Visitors can view historically staged rooms and explore the garden, designed with features that reflect Victorian-era landscaping principles.

The museum also engages with public history through regular programs, including a monthly garden work-and-learn series and annual events such as a Juneteenth celebration featuring music, poetry, and community gatherings.