Last week my sister Reba turned six. In keeping with family tradition, she got to choose an adventure for her birthday. Someplace (within reason, as Mom always says) that Reba had always wanted to explore. Right away, my sister knew where we would be going.
Reba has always loved Trolls. She reads books on trolls, watches movies about them, and decorates her room with the colorful creatures. A while back, Reba heard about the Troll Hole Museum in Alliance, Ohio, and couldn’t wait to visit.

So… on an unseasonably warm December day, our family piled in the car and drove the two plus hours to Alliance, Ohio. This city, founded in 1854, is located between Canton and Youngstown in the Northeastern part of the state. Before we left, Mom checked out the Troll Hole Museum website, so we were prepared on ticket prices, hours and upcoming events.

Our drive flew by quickly as we talked, sang songs, and played games, but everyone was sure happy when the museum came into view. As we entered the building, we were greeted by a tour guide who led us through the rooms of trolls, all with an interesting story to tell. Beyond the dolls, there was artwork and unique displays of the lives of trolls. We learned how the founder of the museum began collecting troll dolls at age five and now was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as having the largest collection of troll dolls in the world. The history and folklore were so fascinating that we didn’t want to leave.

But our day wasn’t over yet. Reba found another place to explore. Heading 15 miles west to Canton, we were on our way to The First Ladies National Historical Site. Established by the National Park Service, the Visitor Center rotates museum exhibits about America’s First Ladies, and the nearby Saxton House was home to the 25th President William McKinley, and First Lady Ida McKinley. We all loved looking at the inaugural dresses the First Ladies once wore and trying on costumes from the different eras of history. It was amazing to walk through the beautiful house where the President and his wife once lived.

I know that my sister loved her museum picks, and the rest of the family enjoyed our time together as well. But everyone has different interests. There are so many unique museums throughout Ohio. My Mom’s favorite is The Toledo Museum of Art, but Dad’s pick is The National Museum of the United Force Air Force in Dayton. I would love to go back to Canton someday to explore The Pro Football Hall of Fame and I’m pretty sure that my siblings would love a visit to Sandusky’s Merry-Go-Round Museum.

Museums are a great place to visit all seasons of the year. It’s always a good idea to do some research before making a visit because ticket prices can range from free to costly, and hours might frequently change. Are there special things that you like to collect or learn about? Maybe there’s a museum just for you? Guess it’s time to think about your next fun road trip!

Until next time…
Froggily,

Ruby