Dublin has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1801. While we all love the modern city it's become, let's not forget to look back at the rich history that gives our city its unforgettable charm.
No time machine, no problem! Here's how you can relive and learn about Dublin's past:
Dublin History Museum
The Dublin History Museum brings the city’s rich heritage to life, offering a captivating look at the stories and events that shaped the community. Whether you're a long-time resident or visiting for the first time, the museum is a perfect way to explore Dublin’s history and discover the roots of a community that continues to inspire the future. With engaging exhibits and artifacts, it’s a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning more about the area’s past and how it influences the present.
Visit the Dublin History Museum at 36 S. High St. Dublin, OH 43017. Hours are: Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Brown-Harris Cemetery
In 2020, the Brown-Harris Cemetery was rediscovered, shedding light on an important piece of Dublin’s history. Located at 6540 Shier Rings Road, this historically Black cemetery contains at least 22 confirmed graves, with the earliest grave marker dating back to 1854. The site had been lost since the early 1920s, but through the discovery of this marker, the cemetery’s true significance was unveiled.
To preserve this vital part of Dublin's heritage, the City of Dublin partnered with the Brown and Harris families to restore the cemetery and create a monument that honors its historical importance. After years of dedicated restoration, the Brown-Harris Cemetery was officially dedicated on June 28, 2024.
Historic Dublin Time Trek
Before you grabbed dinner at Tucci's, it was a grocery store. And before you tried on the latest trends at Boho 72, kids were enjoying the snow on the best sledding hills in town. Featuring 19 historical stops, the Historic Dublin Time Trek gives you a glimpse into the past of the Historic Dublin businesses we know and love. In front of each stop, you'll find a sign with a QR code that connects curious trail trekkers to a website to learn more about that historic business as well as the business that's there today.
Pick up your Time Trek map from the Visitors Center at 9 S. High Street or visit www.historicdublin.org.
Looking for a more in-depth account of Dublin's past? Sign up for a walking tour of Historic Dublin with an expert guide! Sign up here.
The Fletcher Coffman Homestead
Tour a piece of history and imagine yourself living in the mid-1800s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fletcher Coffman Homestead is truly a time machine. Furnished with the original Coffman family furniture and constructed in the early 1860s, visitors are able to step back in time and experience the lifestyle and tastes of a middle-class farm family in the 1860s. Stroll along the volunteer kept vegetable garden and view the two apple trees that started as sprigs cut from a tree planted by Johnny Appleseed. Don't forget to visit the one-room schoolhouse where visitors can sit on benches, write on slate with chalk and view textbooks and toys of the 1800s and early 1900s.
Step into Dublin's history by requesting a tour or taking a virtual tour here.
Public Art
One of the best ways to get to know Dublin's history is through its public art. Many of the pieces in the Art in Public places program pay tribute to Dublin's past. Daily Chores, found on the corner of Bridge and High Street, represents the original water pump that served not only as a water source but as a place for the community to gather. While one of Dublin's most well-known pieces, the Field of Corn (with Osage Oranges), recognizes the community's farming legacy and serves as a memorial to the once rural landscapes found in Dublin.
Find the full collection of public art in Dublin here.
Make a weekend out of your history lesson and share your discoveries with us using #SoDublin.
Discover more of Dublin's past here.
