Buckeye Lake Museum, Ohio

Oct 19

Buckeye Lake, Ohio · Updated October 19, 2026 · 9 min read

Museum with a major rail exhibitThe historical society is rebuilding; confirm hours and exhibits before visiting

The Buckeye Lake Museum, cared for by the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society, tells the story of the lake from its canal reservoir beginnings through its heyday as a resort and amusement park destination.

Run by a local historical society
Canal reservoir to amusement park era
About an hour to see
Visitors report it is accessible

Buckeye Lake Museum at a glance

Hours: Not posted online; call or email the society
Admission: Not posted online; ask the society
Plan for: About 1 hour
Best for: Local history fans and families who remember the amusement park
Accessibility: A visitor review describes the museum as handicap accessible; confirm with the society.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Contact and directions

WhereBuckeye Lake, Ohio(opens in a new tab)
Phone(614) 285-5554
Emailbuckeyelakehistory@gmail.com
Websitebuckeyelakehistory.org(opens in a new tab)

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Buckeye Lake Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Buckeye Lake.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

From canal reservoir to lakeside resort

Buckeye Lake began as a reservoir for Ohio's canal system and later became one of central Ohio's favorite places to play. By 1911 the area had two dance pavilions, a swimming beach and bathhouse, an arcade, a picnic area and ballpark, boat excursions and power boat races, with hotels, taverns and cottages along the shore. Local histories connect that boom with the interurban era, when electric railways carried visitors to resorts like this one.

The Buckeye Lake Museum, run by the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society, gathers that history: life at the lake in the early 1900s, the amusement park years and the objects that families remember. The society says it is entering a new chapter. Its board is reviewing the collections and historical assets and building a long-term plan, so details about specific railroad exhibits are not posted online. Ask the society what is currently on display.

Lake life, amusement park memories and local objects

Visitors describe a museum packed with objects and memorabilia from the lake and its amusement park past. The society does not post a list of railroad items online, so contact it before visiting if rail history is your main interest.

Don’t miss

Amusement park memorabiliaVisitors single out the carnival and amusement park nostalgia as a highlight.
Early 1900s lake lifeExhibits give a glimpse of the resort years, when dance halls, beaches and boat races drew crowds.
Canal reservoir originsThe museum explains how the lake began as part of Ohio's canal system.

Old rides and lake stories

Families who remember the old amusement park often enjoy sharing those stories with kids while looking at the memorabilia. The museum does not post children's programs online, so ask the society about family activities. One visitor review describes the museum as handicap accessible.

Plan your visit: tips for Buckeye Lake Museum

Call (614) 285-5554 or email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com to confirm open hours.
Ask in advance which railroad or interurban items are currently on display.
Plan about an hour to see the museum.

A historical society starting a new chapter

The Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society runs the museum and is rebuilding, with its board reviewing collections and planning for the future. The society also acts as a hub for lake events. To volunteer, share artifacts or support its work, email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com or follow the society on Instagram.

Train rides and rail museums near Buckeye Lake

For an actual train ride, the Zanesville & Western Scenic Railroad and the Mt. Perry Scenic Train are both about 14 miles away. The Ohio History Connection railroad collection in Columbus is about 28 miles west. See every stop on our list of train museums in Ohio.

Every train museum in Ohio

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

A century ago, families packed bags for a weekend at Buckeye Lake, with the beach and dance pavilions waiting. Packing for a trip is a favorite part of our book too: Rally tucks in his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball before setting off with Mom and Dad. Every trip starts with deciding what matters most to bring. Kids can color Rally's suitcase on our coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at Buckeye Lake Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Buckeye Lake Museum: 20 questions before you visit

What is the Buckeye Lake Museum?

The Buckeye Lake Museum is a local history museum in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, run by the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society. It covers the lake's past from its canal reservoir origins to its amusement park era, with objects and memorabilia from life at the lake in the early 1900s and beyond.

Where is the Buckeye Lake Museum?

The museum is in the village of Buckeye Lake in central Ohio. The museum does not post its street address online, so call the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society at (614) 285-5554 or check buckeyelakehistory.org for directions before you go.

What are the Buckeye Lake Museum hours?

The museum does not post current hours online, and the historical society says it is rebuilding and reviewing its collections. Call (614) 285-5554 or email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com to confirm when the museum is open before you make the trip.

How much does the Buckeye Lake Museum cost?

Admission prices are not posted online. As a small historical society museum, it may charge a modest fee or ask for donations. Contact the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society at (614) 285-5554 or buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com for current admission details.

Does the Buckeye Lake Museum have railroad exhibits?

The museum covers local history, and Buckeye Lake's resort years overlapped with the interurban era, when electric railways brought visitors to lakeside attractions. The society does not post a list of railroad or interurban items online, though, so ask what is on display before visiting if rail history is your focus.

How long does it take to see the Buckeye Lake Museum?

One visitor review on Tripadvisor says to plan about an hour to experience the whole museum. Allow more time if you enjoy reading every label or talking with volunteers, who can often share stories of the lake that are not written down anywhere else.

Is the Buckeye Lake Museum wheelchair accessible?

A visitor review describes the museum as handicap accessible. The society does not post full accessibility details online, so it is worth calling (614) 285-5554 to ask about entrances, parking and restrooms if you have specific needs.

What do reviews say about the Buckeye Lake Museum?

A Tripadvisor reviewer called the museum very cool and packed with objects and memorabilia from local and lake history, plus amusement park nostalgia. The reviewer recommended checking hours first and allowing about an hour. Read more reviews on Tripadvisor or the visitor bureau's website.

What was Buckeye Lake like in its resort days?

By 1911 the Buckeye Lake area had two dance pavilions, a swimming beach and bathhouse, an arcade, a picnic area and ballpark, boat excursions and power boat races. Taverns, restaurants, hotels and rental cottages lined the shore to host out-of-town guests. The museum tells this story.

Was there an amusement park at Buckeye Lake?

Yes. Buckeye Lake was a central Ohio waterfront attraction with an amusement park, dance pavilions, a beach and bathhouse, picnic grounds and a baseball park, and it drew crowds and well-known bands. The museum's amusement park memorabilia is a favorite with visitors.

How did Buckeye Lake begin?

Buckeye Lake began as a reservoir for Ohio's canal system. Over time it changed into a resort and recreation area. The Buckeye Lake Museum explains that change, from the canal era to the lake's years as an amusement park destination.

Who runs the Buckeye Lake Museum?

The Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society runs the museum. The society says it is entering a new chapter: its board of directors is evaluating collections, historical assets and future opportunities while developing a long-term vision for sharing Buckeye Lake's history.

Is the Buckeye Lake Museum good for kids?

Older kids who enjoy history or old amusement parks may like the memorabilia, especially if a grandparent can share memories of the lake. The museum does not post children's programs online. Ask the society whether any family activities or hands-on items are available.

Does the Buckeye Lake Museum host events?

One local guide describes the historical society as part museum and part lake events hub. Specific event dates are not posted online. Follow the society on Instagram or email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com to hear about upcoming programs.

How do I contact the Buckeye Lake Museum?

Call the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society at (614) 285-5554 or email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com. The society's website is buckeyelakehistory.org, and it shares updates on Instagram. Contact the society before visiting to confirm hours and current exhibits.

Can I donate items to the Buckeye Lake Museum?

The society is reviewing its collections and planning for the future, so ask before bringing anything. If you have photos, postcards or objects from the lake's resort or amusement park days, email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com to describe them and learn whether the museum can accept them.

How can I volunteer with the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society?

The society is rebuilding and may welcome new help. It does not post a volunteer program online, so email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com or call (614) 285-5554 to ask how you can help with exhibits, events or collections.

Can I ride a train near Buckeye Lake?

The museum itself does not offer rides, but two railroads about 14 miles away in Mount Perry do: the Zanesville & Western Scenic Railroad and the Mt. Perry Scenic Train. Check their pages on this site for seasons and tickets before planning a combined day out.

Is the Buckeye Lake Museum open year-round?

The society does not post a seasonal schedule online, so do not count on set summer or holiday hours. With the board currently evaluating the museum's future, hours may change. Call (614) 285-5554 or email buckeyelakehistory@gmail.com before any visit, whatever the season.

What train museums are near the Buckeye Lake Museum?

The Zanesville & Western Scenic Railroad and the Mt. Perry Scenic Train are each about 14 miles away. The Ohio History Connection railroad collection in Columbus is about 28 miles, the Ohio Railway Museum in Worthington about 30 miles, and the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville about 35 miles.

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Kelsey Cecil