COSI – science educational fun. So much to do, and so little time; volunteer program for teens/adults. Monday – Saturday 10 – 5, Sunday Noon – 5. Admission: Adults (13-64) $8.50, Seniors (65+) $7.50, Children (3-12) $6.50. 419-244-2674; www.cositoledo.org
Toledo Zoo – Education department – classes for homeschoolers; loan boxes; volunteer program for teens. Hours: 10 – 5 May 1 – Labor Day; 10 – 4 Labor Day – April 30; $8.50 Adults, $5.50 Children (2-11) and seniors. FREE Mondays (excluding holidays) 10 – Noon Lucas County Residents (with valid ID). 419-385-5721 www.toledozoo.org
Toledo Museum of Art – Workshops for homeschool parents about specific pieces and how to teach about them; Family Center – open twice a week for kids: play center and art projects; walk in; no fee. They also offer special exhibitions, tours, concerts, and classes. Admission to the museum is free, special exhibitions usually are by ticket. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 – 4, Friday 10 – 10, Sunday 11 – 5, Monday closed. 419-255-8000, Ticket Sales: 419-243-7000; www.toledomuseum.org
LERC (Lake Erie Research and Education Center) Free science classes for homeschoolers. The center is located at Maumee State Park and operated by UT. It is a state-of-the-art soil and water research and education facility. Click here for current schedule and directions. Contact: Jeff Savino; 419-530-8361
Metroparks – Hooray for Homeschoolers program twice a month; other programs available to schedule for groups. Open daily 7 am until dark. 419-535-3050; www.metroparkstoledo.com
YMCA – Classes for Homeschoolers: gym, swim, and gymnastics; call your local/near by branch for class availability or times. Each one is different. There is a catalog of classes put out several times a year. www.ymcatoledo.org
Channel 30 WGTE – Educational materials for loan, videos, etc. (fee involved) 419-380-4600; www.wgte.org
Toledo Botanical Gardens – Open year round, 8:30 – 5:30; Admission: Free! 419-936-2986; www.toledogarden.org
Toledo Firefighters Museum – Founded in 1976 for the purpose of preserving the history of the Toledo Fire Division and educating citizens about fire prevention and safety. In memory of fallen firefighters, the two-story museum is located in a working fire station, "Old Number 18 Fire House", circa 1920, which was replaced by a new station in 1975. The museum's million dollar display includes many large pieces
of vintage fire fighting equipment. The centerpiece of the museum is the 1837 "Neptune", Toledo's first fire pumper. Lovingly restored by Toledo Firefighters, the hand-pulled, hand-operated Neptune required a 20-man crew and could deliver about 300 gallons of water per minute. Free admission, Tours by appointment; 419-478-3473; www.toledofiremuseum.com
Wolcott House Museum Complex – The Wolcott House is a robust late Federal-early Greek Revival style home built in the pioneer days of the Maumee and Toledo, Ohio area. (See House Photo) The first time visitor is inclined to think that the spacious white columned house might be more at home in Virginia or the Carolinas, rather than on what was then the frontier of a fledgling river town. The house was raised on a high bank above the Maumee in the late 1820's and early 1830's by James Wolcott, a Connecticut native that came to the threshold of the Black Swamp frontier in 1826. Wolcott was a Renaissance Man - gentleman farmer, merchant, shipbuilder, architect, politician and judge. While not a formal military officer, per se, he was also given the informal honorary title of "Col," short for Colonel. Open Wednesday – Sunday; 1 – 4; April – December; 419-893-3129
577 Foundation The 577 Foundation was established by Virginia Stranahan who bought this property from Edward Drummond Libbey (as in Libby glass). This 12 acre estate, which is on the Maumee River, was not your typical multi-millionaire's estate. While other estates were being divided up to make housing, this land was set aside "to keep a corner of Perrysburg green".
This estate contains numerous buildings, including a Geodesic Biodome, pottery barn, small public reading room where you can buy used books cheap or drop off books, a place to dig fossils, an 1804 log cabin, a summer maze, river walk nature trail and much more. This is all open to the public, FREE, 9am to 5 pm, 7 days a week. For more information call 419-872-0305 or 419-874-4174 for educational program information.