Museum at the Friends Home - Local history museum in Waynesville - 115 S 4th St, USA

We stumbled across this on a visit to Waynesville. For $5, it's a phenomenal tour. The building architecture, the local history and the antiques are worth the visit. Pat was our tour guide and she was absolutely amazing and we loved our time with her. There is so much to see and learn there. I highly recommend.

The sign in front of the museum clearly says it all, that they are open on Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm. Even if you check online, that same schedule is posted. I drove a long way to see this museum that, based on comments online, seems interesting. I thought it’s something that I could write about. But I was very disappointed when I arrived at the place on a Saturday afternoon! First, the front door was locked. I went to the side and checked if maybe the entrance has changed. Still locked. I checked the schedule posted on their front and side doors and both said they are open. Since I couldn’t enter, I thought I should just leave. Then I saw a group of people entered the side door. I hurried hoping I could get inside. However, a lady at the door told me that I couldn’t because it’s a private gathering. But nowhere online or at the doors that say they are close that day. I wasted my time traveling to see the museum only to be rejected! I will never visit this place. If you want to go, call them first. Do not trust their website because they do not update it nor any other links online that says they are open.

Very nice place to visit and learn of the rich history of the Waynesville area. I have family history in the area and it was exciting to see the names of some relatives in some of the records there on display. The fee is $5 a person but is considered a donation. They accept elementary school trips so even young ones should enjoy their experience there.

Visiting this museum is unlike visits to other museums. With three floors and 20 rooms of exhibits highlighting local area history, the Quakers, the Underground Railroad and much more housed in a 1905 Quaker boarding home, strolling through the rooms is both a joy and educational. The library is a great place to find family and building histories, the volunteers knowledgeable regarding the exhibits. The building is a gem with large twin staircases, hardwood flooring and 77 windows throughout, making the museum feel open and airy. Each exhibit room is different making a visit interesting and enjoyable.

This Museum is an interesting testament to the settlers of southwest Ohio and the heritage they've left. The original purpose of this Quaker building reflects their compassion for one another, its architectural style mirrors their simplicity, and its construction demonstrates the quality and endurance of their work. The displays therein capture midwest small town life in an earlier era with ties to the present, such as the hardware store display. The parlors on each floor invite you to sit down, relax, and reminisce. A worthwhile stop.

Very interesting facility with a very eclectic assortment of items from the past. The museum curator provided much information and context to the home and its contents. I especially enjoyed the various themed rooms like the nursery, school room and library.

This museum is very user-friendly. The rooms and exhibits are very accessible and inviting. As a local history museum, it provides a delightful educational experience about early Waynesville, the surrounding villages, and some of the notable people who lived in the area.

The Museum at the Friends Home is a gem. It has been a privilege for me to be a board member of this museum. The museum is a beautiful, historic building with so many wonderful displays. The displays are always fresh and ever changing. Our museum board is very active and talented. We have been working closely with the Mary L. Cook Public Library in our partnership of WURC (Waynesville's Underground Railroad Committee). We have recently applied to be a full member in the Network To Freedom which is run by the National Park Service. We continue to research the wonderful history of Waynesville and share it with so many visitors.