Posted on June 17, 2011 by Georgeanne Reuter

Experience the grandeur of the 19^th century and learn about life in the era of the Civil War, the Underground Railroad and the beginnings of Columbus as a city.  

Starting on Sunday, July 3, 2011 the Kelton House Museum and Garden, 586 East Town Street, Columbus, will offer an audio tour of the Museum in addition to the traditional tour led by costumed docents. The audio tour features the voices of Museum Director Georgeanne Reuter and Educational Coordinator Mary Oellermann as they describe the 19^th century home of the Fernando and Sophia Kelton family. Visitors will also hear actors portraying fugitive slaves and abolitionists during their visit to the Underground Railroad Learning Station in the Museum Lower Level in an interpretation narrated by Salmon P. Chase.  

On Sundays the audio tour will be available from 1 - 4 pm; the docent led tours will begin at 1, 2 and 3 pm.  

Monday through Friday, 10 am - 4 pm, the audio tour will also be available on a drop-in basis.  

All tours: Adults $6, Seniors $4, Children 6 and over $2.  For more information, call 614.464.2022.  

General Information   The Kelton House Museum & Garden is located at 586 E. Town Street in downtown Columbus.  Built in 1852 by Fernando Cortez and Sophia Stone Kelton, the House has been preserved with Kelton family treasures from the 1800's. Strong Abolitionists, the Kelton family hid fugitive slaves and gave long term support to a particular African-American family. In 1975, when Grace Kelton, the granddaughter of Fernando and Sophia, died, her will entrusted the property to the Columbus Foundation with the stipulation that her family home be preserved and used as a museum of local history and the decorative arts. In 1976, The Junior League of Columbus took on the task of renovating and restoring the house and garden to create a museum of 19^th-century life.  

Today, the Kelton House Museum and Garden is a community service of the Junior League of Columbus that offers an ongoing program of house tours, special events and educational opportunities. An active volunteer program provides a training ground for individuals interested in historic preservation, the decorative arts, American History and museum management.   For more information about the Kelton House Museum and Garden log on to www.keltonhouse.com or call 614.464.2022.