About the Museum

28 CLAY ST, TIFFIN, OH 44883

OPEN WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY

12 - 5 PM

LAST ENTRY AT 4 PM

A historical marker sign about Rezin W. Shawhan and the Seneca County Museum, surrounded by a white flowering tree in bloom and a black wrought-iron fence, with brick buildings in the background and a clear blue sky.

Our Mission

The Seneca County Museum is a powerful vehicle through which we can collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Seneca County. Through its collections, the Museum will provide visitors and the community with a better understanding and appreciation of Seneca County and its heritage.

History of the Museum

The Seneca County Museum is the former home of local businessman Rezin W. Shawhan. Born October 19, 1811. Shawhan arrived in Tiffin in 1832 and opened a store with his brother Lorenzo. The store's success enabled Rezin to expand his interests into real estate and banking.

The house is a part of the Fort Ball-Railroad Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The portrait of Rezin Wells Shawhan hangs in the drawing room at the museum. 

Black and white portrait of Rezin Wells Shawhan, an older man with a white beard, wearing a dark suit and bow tie, framed in a decorative gold frame hanging on a textured wall.

History of the Barnes-Deinzer Seneca County Museum Foundation

The creation of the Seneca County Museum Foundation, Inc. in May 1977 established a platform for individuals, corporations and foundations to make financial gifts to the Seneca County Museum. At that time, Seneca County, Ohio owned and operated the museum. Through the formation of the Foundation there would be an avenue to assist in raising funds and conduct activites for the benefit of the museum.

The sale of Myron Barnes' book, "Between the Eighties," provided the seed money to establish the Seneca County Museum Foundation. In addition, Mr. Barnes, who served as Museum Director from 1978 until his passing in 1985, bequeathed a sizable trust fund to the Foundation. Several years later, the estate of former Foundation member George Deinzer provided another generous gift.

To recognize these gentlemen for their lasting gifts to the Seneca County Museum, the trustees renamed the Foundation, the Barnes-Deinzer Seneca County Museum Foundation. Income from the funds continues to assist with educational programs, maintenance of collections and overall care of the Museum buildings.

In January 2021, the Seneca County Commissioners contracted a lease agreement with the Barnes-Deinzer Seneca County Museum Foundation to assume operation of the Museum.

The photo of Mr. Myron Barnes standing in the Fort Ball Room during his years as Museum Director and the other photo is of Mr. George Deinzer.

Myron Barnes, an elderly man wearing a suit standing indoors in front of a display case filled with various pottery and ceramic items, all in black and white.
Black and white portrait of George Deinzer, a man with medium-length dark hair, wearing glasses, a suit, and a patterned tie.

Foundation Board & Director

Bruce Bowlus

President

Roxanna King

Vice-President

Jim Supance

Treasurer

Jane Supance

Secretary

Suzanne Smith

Board Member

Lucy Witt

Board Member

Fran Fleet

Board Member

John Huss

Board Member

Judy Dennison Smith

Board Member

Theresa Sullivan

Executive Director

Black and white photo of a group of people dressed in late 19th or early 20th-century clothing, some women wearing large decorated hats and men in suits, posing outdoors.

Become a Member

Show your support for the Seneca County Museum by becoming a Friend or Benefactor.