Adena Mansion & Gardens Historic Site — Attraction in Chillicothe

Took a mini vaca this week while kids were on fall break and went to hocking hills. Stayed in the Marriott in Chillicothe. During our stay the hotel worker suggested we check out this place. Didn’t really know anything about this place or that it even existed so we took the suggestion and went not really knowing what to expect. We went on Thursday. So glad we did! The tour was excellent and we learned so much that we didn’t really know before. Just being on the grounds that significant historical figures like Tecumseh once graced with their presence is something else! I came not really knowing who Thomas Worthington was and left knowing a whole lot more! Of course I had heard of Tecumseh and just knowing he stayed here is reason enough to come! Much of the house is original including much of the floors and the pave stones outside. They have a museum with the actual peace pipe tomahawk Tecumseh gave to Worthington as a symbol of peace, which is really cool! So you do timed guided tours and fyi the last tour before lunch is 11:30 and then tours resume at 1:30. I got there right at 11:30 and had to wait until 1:30. That’s ok because there are things you do on your own like explore the museum, barn, garden, so we were able to fill the time. They don’t have food except a couple snack items in gift shop so don’t come hungry. The tour guide was great and very informative and gave plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Beware that the house is very cold. Wear long sleeves or layers. They are unable to change the temperature. Didn’t really get a clear cut answer why the house is so cold other than that it’s cold and they can’t change the temperature. I asked if it’s haunted but the tour guide swears it’s not. Hmmmmm….. Either way this is a great little day thing to do with your kids and family, friends, or even alone and gives you the opportunity to step...

There is a great little museum by the main parking area. Here is where you pay admission for the tour of the mansion and the museum. Ohio History members get in free here. Call ahead to see what time tours are before going. Also, check hours, they are currently closed Monday and Tuesday, but there is talk that might be changing. There is no food, water, candy or gum allowed in the mansion, and no photography inside the mansion either. Photography is welcome outside the mansion. The Docents were amazing, there are some steps to get into the mansion, however, if not able to climb the stairs to the second floor, there is a second Docent available with a video tour of the upstairs, which was very informative. The garden has years of built up overgrowth, which is really sad. Not enough funding, or volunteers/employees to clean it out. The museum and grounds are wheelchair and stroller accessible, but the mansion is not. There is a very nice picnic shelter with tables just outside the musuem on the way to the mansion, pack a picnic! Restroom doors are not ADA compliant, but there is an ADA...

Interesting place to visit. You should allow yourself at least two hours... even more if you like to take your time and explore things. You can learn a lot about the history of how Ohio became a state by perusing the welcome center and taking the tour of the mansion. They've done a great job of trying to restore things back to how they would have been during the era. The mansion probably took an hour to go thru with a tour guide. Very much information to absorb on the tour. Afterwards you can explore the grounds on your own. I recommend stopping at the old barn.

• Pro Tip: If you like flowers, remember that mid to late June is not a great time to see the gardens. It's too late to see the perineals as they've finished blooming and it's too early to see the annuals...so it's an in between time. I'd recommend late July thru the Fall, or the Spring time. One piece of history I liked was this property has the very view which served as the inspiration for the design of the Great...