International Museum Day, May 16

International Museum Day is Saturday, May 16, 2009 and nine local organizations are working together to mark the occasion. The Edison Birthplace, Eleutheros Cooke House, Erie County Historical Society, Follett House Museum, Maritime Museum of Sandusky, Merry-Go-Round Museum, Milan Historical Museum, Ohio Veterans Home Museum, and Sandusky Underground Railroad Education Center will celebrate from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and offer free admission, along with arts, crafts, and activities at each museum. International Museum Day is made possibly by a grant from the Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation.

The Cooke House will entertain with children’s Victorian lawn games, while visitors to the Maritime Museum of Sandusky can make a model paddleboat and take a free boat ride aboard THE SAWMILL EXPLORER on Saturday at 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The rides depart from the Meigs Street Pier at Battery Park Marina. The Sandusky Power Squadron's safe boating mascot COASTIE will be at the Maritime Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Merry-Go-Round Museum will offer the opportunity for budding artists to create an original craft.

At the Follett House Museum, guests are invited to select a reproduction outfit, pose for a photograph, and create a keepsake photo folder. The Ohio Veterans Home Museum will screen vintage war movies. The Sandusky Underground Railroad Education Center will offer a trolley tour at 11:00 a.m. Reservations are required for the trolley tour, which departs from the Maritime Museum of Sandusky. Please call 419-624-0274 to make a reservation. The Milan Historical Museum will have a children's art activity table and a period photo area where kids can dress up and have their picture taken, along with free admission for the day. Free tours will be available at the Edison Birthplace. The Erie County Historical Society will provide maps of Erie County Historical Markers, which will be available at each of the participating organizations. You may visit any or all of the museums in any order. For your convenience, the Erie County Senior Center Bus will run between the four downtown Sandusky museums from 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.