Travel Guides Crafted by Experienced Archaeologists & Historians
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Ohio
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

The smallest state west of the Appalachian Mountains, Ohio gained its statehood in 1803. Part of the Midwest, it takes its name from the Ohio River, itself deriving from an Iroquoian word for “great water.” Pre-Columbian inhabitants included members of the Adena and Hopewell Cultures, creators of famous earth monuments like the Great Serpent Mound, while by the 18th century Ohio was home to communities like the Huron, Delaware, and Shawnee. The British then laid claim to the territory, which was subsequently secured by the United States during the American Revolution. After becoming a state, Ohio became a key battleground between the Americans and the British in the War of 1812. Later decades of the 19th century saw considerable industrialisation.

Archaeology & History Sites in Ohio

Serpent Mound

Serpent Mound is a large earthen mound, one of the most spectacular effigy mounds, in the shape of a snake. The tail is thrice coiled, out of which the body emerges looping back and forth seven times before ending at the head, which was placed near the edge of a cliff above a stream. The mouth of the serpent is open, and extends around a 37 metre-long hollow oval feature – as if swallowing an egg. In all the snake is over 400 metres in length and the height of the body varies from about 30 cm to a metre, making this the largest of the effigy mounds of the eastern United States.

Museums & Art Galleries in Ohio

Cincinnati History Museum

At Cincinnati History Museum, visitors can explore the heritage of this famous city. Located in the Cincinnati Museum Centre, an impressive art-deco structure and former rail terminal. A number of reconstructions present urban scenes as they might have appeared in the 19th and 20th centuries, allowing visitors an immersive experience in the past. One of these is Cincinnati’s historic Public Landing from the age of the steamboats. An exhibit also covers the city’s role in WWII. Other museums in the complex include the Museum of Natural History and Science, the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center and the Duke Energy Children’s Museum.