Navarre museum reopens for Sunday tours

NAVARRE, Ohio – The Mathews House Museum in Navarre, Ohio, reopened for guided tours through November on the first Sunday of each month.

The tours are 1-4 p.m.

The Mathews home, built in 1836 by Joseph Mathews, has been furnished to depict the domestic lifestyle of a family at the end of the Canal Era from 1890 to 1913.

Bicentennial. This year during Ohio’s bicentennial year, the heritage center will have exhibits emphasizing the history of Navarre and Bethlehem Township.

Exhibits will include the Mathews family; the Ohio and Erie Canal; Jonathan Condy, founder of Bethlehem; Navarre Stoneware; Ben Fairless; and other personalities.

Another exhibit will include tools and household artifacts used by men and women during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Visitors will also be able to see the Albany cutter sleigh that was recently restored by the society.

Presidential honor. The heritage education center has a special exhibit of campaign items to honor President William McKinley. The J. D. Define Building was the site of his first law suit and he often visited the community when campaigning.

The only known photograph of the president taken in Navarre, two weeks before his death, is included in the exhibit.

The museum is located at 123 High St. or 124 Canal St. in Navarre. Admission is free.