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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Check out historical museum events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.

Discover all the historical museum events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

Absolutely! Find historical museum events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.

Historical Museum Events Today

Join in-person Historical Museum events happening right now

🍻 Pint of Science Baden (May 20) 🔬
🍻 Pint of Science Baden (May 20) 🔬
🍻 Join us for a unique social event where science meets fun! 🧠 Are you curious to learn about cutting-edge research in an informal and relaxed atmosphere? Pint of Science brings top scientists to local pubs to share their latest discoveries in an engaging and accessible way. 📍 Event Details 📅 Dates: May 20, 2026 🕕 Time: 18:00 – 21:00 📍 Location: Kulturhaus Royal, Baden 💰 Price: Free! 📅 May 20th agenda: **"Floods, Fuel and Flowers: From measuring floods and droughts, fueling the future and using the power of biodiversity in farming, join us for an evening of science tackling real-world challenges "** - **Using X-rays at PSI to understand and improve renewable fuel production catalysts** *Kenneth Crossley (PhD student at Paul Scherrer Institute and ETH Zurich)* - **CrowdWater - how to measure water with your smartphone** *Jan Seibert (Professor, Hydrology and Climate, UZH*) - **Conservation pest control in sugar beet** *Angela (Anschi) Studer (PhD Student at Agroscope)* 📍Dive deeper into the full program, including talk abstracts and speaker info, on our official event page: [https://pintofscience.ch/events/baden/](https://pintofscience.ch/events/baden/) 🤔 **What is Pint of Science?** Pint of Science is a global festival that brings scientists out of their labs and into pubs, where they present their work in a fun, informal, and interactive way. The event covers a wide range of topics, from physics to medicine, from artificial intelligence to climate change. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, meet researchers, and enjoy a beer while learning something new! 🔗 More info: [Official Pint of Science Website](https://pintofscience.ch/) 🧐 **What to Bring?** ✔️ Curiosity to learn something new ✔️ Good vibes to enjoy the evening with fellow Hiking Buddies ✔️ (Optional) A beer-loving spirit! 🍻 📢 **Stay Updated!** For updates and coordination, join the WhatsApp group: [[WhatsApp Link](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Guh5j2PKOoK3rpmJikCqFe)] 📲 Looking forward to seeing you there! 🍻🧠✨
Michael movie together🤩🎬
Michael movie together🤩🎬
Hi fellow Michael Jackson fans! Have you too still not gotten around to seeing the film? What better rainy day midweek activity than to head to the cinema to watch it in a group this Wednesday🤩🎬 Come ready for a fun night out, good company, and all the Michael energy — outfits, style, glam, or anything inspired by the vibe is highly encouraged. The more people lean into the spirit, the better the experience ✨ Grab your popcorn and bring your best movie-night mood! 🎟️ I'll reserve tickets for us, further info to follow in the chat. ⏰ The movie starts at 8.10 pm. We'll meet in the main foyer at 7.30 for a quick drink and photo op. Those interested in meeting for a drink or a bite even earlier can coordinate in the chat. 💬 Join the movie night chat for more info on this and other movie nights and coordination purposes! https://chat.whatsapp.com/LIkGFzm4uXj5vCpbuRltYd?mode=gi_t See you there!
Meditation & Vortrag am Mittwoch
Meditation & Vortrag am Mittwoch
**Meditationsreihe:** **Die Grundlagen erfolgreicher Meditation entwickeln** Mittwochs, 29. April - 20. Mai, 2026, 18:30-20:00Uhr, KMC Schweiz in ZH- Altstetten mit Gen Kelsang Devi (in Englisch mit deutscher Übersetzung), 20CHF https://www.kadampa.ch/vortrag-am-mittwoch/ Wahres Glück entsteht nicht durch äussere Umstände – es wurzelt in unserem Geist. In dieser vierwöchigen Meditationsreihe erkunden wir gemeinsam, wie wir die inneren Voraussetzungen schaffen, um tief und erfolgreich zu meditieren und ein dauerhaft glückliches Leben zu führen. Anhand praktischer Meditationen und klarer Erklärungen lernen wir, wie wir Verantwortung für unser Leben übernehmen, uns für Inspiration öffnen, Negativität auflösen und die Kraft zum Glück in uns stärken können. **Themenliste** 29\. April 2026 \| Karma verstehen –Verantwortung für unser Handeln und unsere Erfahrungen übernehmen 6\. Mai 2026 \| Offen für Inspiration sein 13\. Mai 2026 \| Negativität auflösen 20\. Mai 2026 \| Die Kraft zum Glücklichsein entwickeln
Coworking with Meditation Break
Coworking with Meditation Break
💻 **Productive Coworking with a Meditative Break** 🧘 🎟 **Entry:** Free (limited spots: 12) 🗓 **Date:** Wednesday 6.05.2025 🕗 **Time:** 12:00 – 18:00 📍 **Location:** [ANNTIN studio, ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/6XoEGBx1ahV9utHB7)**[Glattbrugg train station](https://maps.app.goo.gl/6XoEGBx1ahV9utHB7)**[ ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/6XoEGBx1ahV9utHB7) (10 min from HB, 7 min from Hardbrücke, 2 min from Oerlikon) **What to expect** 🕚 **12:00 – 15:00:** Coworking in the communal area 🧘**15:00 – 15:30:** Meditation break in the workshop room 💻 **15:30 – 18:00:** Afternoon Coworking & connections ⸻ Ready to upgrade your work-from-home routine? Join us at [ANNTIN studio](https://www.anntin.ch/) for a special coworking session that balances focus with a moment of calm. We will set up in the studio's communal area, which offers 12 seats, reliable Wi-Fi, and hot drinks (tea, coffee, matcha) available. The goal is simple: get motivated by working alongside others, break free from working alone, and meet like-minded people. At 15:00, we’ll transition to the workshop room—a comfortable, quiet setting fully equipped with mats, bolsters, and more—for a 30-minute meditation break. It’s the perfect way to reset, recharge, and return to work with clarity and new energy. Come for the productivity, stay for the network and new connections. 🎟 This coworking and meditation event is free, however, if you want to support the studio owners, simply order a hot drink during your stay ☕ ⚠️ **Limited spots available** \- only 12 seats\, so join the event to save yours\. ⚠️⚠️ **Please cancel if you know you can't come**, it will give a chance to others to enjoy the event. **In case of any questions contact us here:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CSCUj3b814E7OagroDneOO?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CSCUj3b814E7OagroDneOO?mode=gi_t)
Escribir entre Sorbos ✍️
Escribir entre Sorbos ✍️
**Escribir entre Sorbos 3** Un plan para conocernos, escribir, tener conversaciones auténticas y tomarnos algo juntas.... Este espacio creativo y de conexión es para mujeres hispanohablantes que, entre migraciones de tierra, piel y ciclos, abrazan sus historias y trasiciones en palabras y encuentran nuevas versiones de sí mismas a través de sus letras. **Tema: La valentía de ser yo y usar mi voz💜** 🗓 Miércoles 20 de Mayo 🕒 19:30 – 21:45 (horario actualizado) 📍 Casi Casa – Lagerstrasse 104, Zúrich **\*Reserva tu lugar: [AQUÍ](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/miscellaneous/escribir-entre-sorbos-3-7458404607523322635.html)** **Incluye:** * Welcome drink * Sesión de Escritura Guiada + Materiales para escribir * Circulo de conversación Únete al tercer encuentro creativo del año de “Escribir entre sorbos”, por Mile Carvajal, en colaboración con Casi Casa. Un SPAcio para el alma de escritura, creatividad, conexión, y vulnerabilidad. En este encuentro vamos a explorar algo muy simple y muy profundo: **“La valentía de ser yo y usar mi voz”**. Escribiremos sobre identidad, valentía y autenticidad, reconectando con esa voz propia que, incluso lejos de casa, sigue buscando un espacio para existir, nombrarse y ser escuchada ✨ Ven a conectar con una comunidad de mujeres que estamos descubriendo nuevas versiones de nosotras mismas a través de la escritura, usando las palabras como un puente para escuchar lo que vive dentro de nosotras. Invita a tus amigas para que juntas disfruten de una tarde de escritura ✍️ buen ambiente y conversaciones auténticas mientras nos tomamos algo juntas en @casicasa.ch -Zúrich. Para inscribirte escríbeme por WhatsApp al +41 76 727 75 15 o a través del Link en la bio de IG: [@miilecarvajal](https://www.instagram.com/miilecarvajal/) y te ayudo encantada.
Indoor Bouldering Session, Altdorf
Indoor Bouldering Session, Altdorf
Play Boardgames in Zürich Wiedikon
Play Boardgames in Zürich Wiedikon
A friendly get together for people who like to play boardgames. You are welcome to join. We can converse in English or German. You may bring your own games or we have quite an extensive cupboard full of games you are welcome to use. There are always people who will explain games, so no need to worry. Just come. Usually we meet at 18:30 and decide what we want to play. Usually we are able to fill 4-6 tables or more with different games. So you will certainly find something to your taste and likes. Please note that we would like to ask for a small donation of CHF 2. We need to pay rent for the room.

Historical Museum Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

Hangout in the Park
Hangout in the Park
**🔎** **The event** **We hope for good weather, to hang out in park together! We will meet in Kurpark from 18:00 onwards until whatever time people feel like. The plan is simply to have a nice time together and enjoy the sunshine :-). For those keen to play sports, for sure some frisbee/volleyball/badminton will be played!** **🧺** **What to bring:** * **A good mood and an interest in other people** * **Warm clothes in case it gets colder later during the evening** * ***Optional:*** **drinks and/or food to share, picnic cloth, games, etc.** **📍** **Where:** **We meet in the park, behind the casino, near the fountain -** [https://maps.app.goo.gl/uLRZEmbWRyyFKfj2A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uLRZEmbWRyyFKfj2A)**.** **⌛** **Time:** **From 18:00 onwards.** **💬** **Event WhatsApp Group:** **See here the link to an event-specific WhatsApp group:** ***https://chat.whatsapp.com/IX2ZCXznqN06LRhZ7WPHsm*** **Hope to see you there!** **Cheers,** **Moniek**
Brunch & Museum visit (Singles only, 30-45y)
Brunch & Museum visit (Singles only, 30-45y)
**[⚠️ >>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/dating/other-events/brunch-museum-visit-singles-only-30-45-y-7459989190387727280.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](https://social-circle.ch/)** 🥐 **Brunch & Museum of the Future** **Singles only \| Ages 30–45** Looking to meet new people in Zurich in a relaxed and meaningful way — without loud bars or forced small talk? Join us for a curated brunch at **Ribelli**, followed by a shared cultural experience at the **Museum für Gestaltung Zürich**. ✨ **Why join?** * Meet like-minded singles (30–45) in a natural, pressure-free setting * Connect through a shared experience, not just small talk * Enjoy the perfect mix of social interaction, culture, and creativity * Ideal for those who appreciate curiosity, deep conversations, and good vibes 🍽 **Brunch at Ribelli** At **Ribelli**, Italian hospitality meets urban flair. Inspired by the Mediterranean—from Sicily to Tuscany—the menu is fresh, colourful, and made to be shared. Ribelli is a lively place to sit together and enjoy Mediterranean joy of life – spontaneous, sociable, and relaxed. 🎨 **Museum Experience** After brunch, explore the **Museum für Gestaltung Zürich**, home to Switzerland’s largest international design collection. The **Swiss Design Collection** presents around 2,500 objects spanning graphic design, typography, poster design, textiles, product design, and applied arts. Dive into the archive, see the objects up close, and discover the unique stories behind each creation. The integrated studio allows you to experiment, create your own designs, or simply enjoy the creative atmosphere. 💬 **Join our group for this event:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi) ℹ️ **Practical info** * Included: museum entrance * ❗Food is not included * Limited spots to keep the group intimate and balanced * Come solo — leave inspired, connected, and maybe with someone new to explore the future with ​**Important:** Tickets are **non-refundable**. Pictures might be taken during the event, if you do not want it please let the organizer know. ​Want more events like this? Join our WhatsApp community: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM)
Zurich History Walk
Zurich History Walk
Discover the story of Zurich through a relaxed and engaging historical excursion and city walk. ‎https://chat.whatsapp.com/FpMSfQAZDeA2jJ5HfkZQUd?mode=gi_t In 2 hours, we will explore the Old Town and learn how Zurich grew from a Roman settlement into one of Europe’s most important cities. It’s a friendly, interactive walk with stories, facts, and space for conversation. 📍 Where: Lindenhof Hill, by the Hedwig Fountain 🕚 When: Sunday 11:00 ⏱ Duration: approximately 2 hours 🗣 Language: English ☕ Optional coffee and chat afterward. 💰 Cost: Tips are welcome at the end of the excursion. Please arrive 5 minutes early so we can start on time.
ZFG presents: Blood on the Clocktower - Deduction, Intrigue, Fun!
ZFG presents: Blood on the Clocktower - Deduction, Intrigue, Fun!
**Blood on the Clocktower — Hosted by Zurich Fun Gamers (No experience needed!) 🕯️🩸** **click me --> [Tickets](https://eventfrog.ch/ZFGBoC) 🎟️** (Only a ticket confirms your spot!) Whether or not you like social deduction games like *Werewolves*, *Mafia* or *Secret Hitler* (or you are a beginner who hasn't played any games like this before), this one is for you. Blood on the Clocktower is a **game experience unlike any other.** In the cursed village of Ravenswood Bluff, a Demon 😈 hides among you. *Each night*, someone **dies** ☠️. *Each day*, the town **debates, accuses and votes.** But here’s the twist: **Even if you die… you’re still in the game.** ### **What makes this special?** ✨ • Everyone has a **unique role** and **powerful ability** 🎭 • **Dead players continue** to influence the game 🕯️ • **Bluffing, logic**, and **social strategy** matter equally 🧠 • **Every session** unfolds **differently** 🔄 This is **not** Werewolf. This is **deeper, richer** and **far more interactive.** **Zurich Fun Gamers Guarantee** • Suited for both **first-time** and **more experienced players** **🎲** • **Clear rules explanation** before starting 📜 • **Multiple games** depending on group size 🔄 • **Atmosphere-driven** experience 🕯️🌫️ • Option for **record-keeping of the games** for some cool stats!\* • And even **more surprises** — **ZFG style**! 🎭✨ **⚠️Spots are limited, secure your seat in the circle and step into the village.** --> [Tickets ](https://eventfrog.ch/ZFGBoC)(your spot is ONLY confirmed with a ticket!) *Will you uncover the Demon* 😇 *… or help it survive* 😈? (Please be on time if you don't know the rules as the first 15min are used to explain the rules. Games start at 19.20) \* For the record a sign up on clocktracker.app is necessary
Sip & Paint Evening
Sip & Paint Evening
Celebrate with a special creative night at Soho Bar, from **7:00 PM to 9:30 PM**. This is a celebration of laughter and good vibes! Zürich Together is collaborating with Sip N Paint Club, we will have a corner for our attendees, all you need is to look for your host Raluca or the Zürich Together flag. **Coming with Zürich Together already provides you with a 20% discount applied upon the completion of the purchase. [Discounted Tickets available here](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/parties/afterwork/sip-n-paint-club-7434533947801885043.html?promocode=ZurichTogether). Please join the [WhatsApp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CT9PD90YhmCK1wACNTKZsR) to coordinate with the group.** Enjoy a relaxed painting session while sipping cocktails and grooving to tunes from our live DJ. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned painter, everyone is welcome to join the fun and create something memorable. **Event Highlights:** 🎨 Self-guided painting experience with fun, creative themes 🥂 Complimentary glass of Prosecco on arrival 🎶 Live DJ setting the mood 🍸 Drinks available for purchase at the bar This is a **self-guided session**, so you’re free to paint at your own pace and style. All materials are provided, just bring yourself. No experience needed, just come ready to relax and have a great time. Spots are limited, so reserve yours now and make this a night to remember. 💕

Historical Museum Events Near You

Connect with your local Historical Museum community

Speak Easy (Storytelling)
Speak Easy (Storytelling)
The topic for May is "Ink" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!
Columbus Museum of Art, Free Admission Sundays
Columbus Museum of Art, Free Admission Sundays
Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.
Join Biggest Community | Investors Founders | Columbus | Online
Join Biggest Community | Investors Founders | Columbus | Online
Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)
Franklin Park Conservatory / Columbus Brewing Company
Franklin Park Conservatory / Columbus Brewing Company
**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.
Let's Discover the Discovery District
Let's Discover the Discovery District
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.