Erie County's communities offer a myriad of cultural attractions and entertainment, ranging from museums and theaters to concerts and art shows.

Theater lovers can choose from several theater groups, including the Harlequins Community Theatre of Sandusky. One of the oldest community theater groups in Ohio, the Harlequins stage several comedy and drama productions each year in a building that is a former stage coach livery.

Every summer, the Huron Playhouse, which is comprised of students and faculty of Bowling Green State University, presents musicals, comedies, dramas and a children's play. The Firelands College Theater of Bowling Green State University offers productions throughout the year as well.

Music lovers will enjoy the numerous concerts offered each year by the Sandusky Concert Association, which include operas, symphonies and orchestras. Several choral groups present yearly programs and are always welcoming new members to their groups.

The State Theater is a former movie and vaudeville house built in 1928. This Spanish style baroque building now hosts plays, films, orchestra and choral programs.

Norman Lange, a chemist and philanthropist, and his wife, Marian, established the Lange Trust Fund, which provides top entertainment, free of charge, for area residents. The generosity of the Lange's has brought plays, orchestras, jazz bands and many other first class acts to the Sandusky area.

Art connoisseurs can patronize the various art shows sponsored by the North Central Ohio Arts Council and other community groups, or view the many art exhibits displayed at the Sandusky Area Cultural Center located at Sandusky High School.

Erie County is home to several museums, with a variety of exhibits. The Follett House

Museum focuses on Sandusky history and heritage. Vermilion's Inland Seas Historical Museum is dedicated to the history of shipping on the Great Lakes. Thomas Edison's Birthplace and Museum in Milan showcases the house where young Edison lived when he was a child, and displays some of his inventions. Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island stands as a majestic tribute to Oliver Hazard Perry's victory over the British Naval Fleet in the War of 1812.

The most recent museum to benefit our area is the Merry­Go­Round Museum. Housed in Sandusky's former Post Office building, the Merry­Go­Round Museum features an operating carousel, a history of the merry­go­round and traveling carousel displays provided by museums and collectors from throughout the nation.

Visit the Merry-Go-Round Museum

The area's libraries provide free and public access to a variety of information, and encourage intellectual and cultural life in our area.

The Sandusky Library is one of the most progressive in the State of Ohio. In addition to books and magazines, residents can borrow audiocassettes, videocassettes, art prints, compact discs, records, CD players, VCR's and film overhead and slide projectors. Special services include children's programs, copy machines, fax service, genealogy assistance, interlibrary loan, summer reading programs, literacy tutoring, newspapers, database searches and computers for public use.

Branches of the Sandusky Library are located in Castalia and at Kelleys Island. The communities of Huron, Milan, Vermilion and Berlin Heights offer outstanding library services to their residents as well.

EDISON BIRTHPLACE

9 Edison Dr.
Milan, OH 44846
419/499-2135
www.tomedison.org
Description: Thomas Edison's birthplace open for narrated tours.
Hours: Open January - May, 1-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Memorial Day - Labor Day, open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Labor Day - November, open 1-5 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday

Directions: From U.S. Route 250, turn east on Route 113. Edison Drive is one block east of the Milan Village Square. Turn left on Edison Drive. Birthplace is on the left.

FOLLETT HOUSE MUSEUM

404 Wayne St.
Sandusky, OH 44870 419/627-9608 or 419/625-3834
Description: Features the history of Erie County and Johnson's Island, and contains Victorian clothing, Civil War artifacts

Hours: April and May, 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. June - Labor Day, 1-4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Labor Day - December, 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. January, February and March closed.

Rates: Donations

Directions: Follow Route 6 into Sandusky. Turn south on Wayne Street. Museum is two blocks south on the left.

INLAND SEAS MARITIME MUSEUM

480 Main St.
Vermilion, OH 44089
216/967-3467
Description: Museum highlighting sailing and shipping on the Great Lakes. Also has gift shop.

Hours: Open daily, year-round, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Directions: Follow Route 6 to Vermilion. Turn north on Main Street and museum is on the lake on the left side.

LAKE ERIE TOY MUSEUM

P.O. Box 860
Kelleys Island, OH 43438
419/746-2451 (summer) 419/281-7101 (winter)
Description: Featuring over 1000 American and foreign toys from 1865 to 1980 in beautiful condition, many with original boxes.

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Memorial Day - Labor Day. Additional tours can be scheduled for groups.
Directions: From either ferry line to Kelleys Island, head toward the downtown area. Turn north on Division St. The Toy Museum is on the left in the Caddy Shack Square.

MERRY-GO-ROUND MUSEUM

Corner W. Washington (Route 6) and Jackson streets
Sandusky, OH 44870
419/626-6111
Description: Exhibits of carousel art with carving shop.

Special showing of the Dentzel family's private collection.

Hours: Open April 29 - Memorial Day & Labor Day and after, Wednesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, Wednesday - Monday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday.

Directions: Follow Route 6 to downtown Sandusky. Museum is located at corner of Jackson and Washington (Route 6) streets.

STAGE THEATERS

• Harlequins

414 Wayne St.
Sandusky, OH 44870
419/626-1157
*Season begins in November.

• The Huron Playhouse

McCormick Middle School
209 Center St.
Huron, OH 44839
419/433-5700 or 419/433-4744 for reservations after June 20th
All shows start at 8 p.m.

• State Theatre

107 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
419/626-1950

The Sandusky State Theatre opened on October 12, 1928 as a Spanish baroque vaudeville and movie palace. The State Theatre now reigns as a showplace for the live performing arts and film, and is dedicated to helping create and preserve the cultural heritage of the community well into the 21st century.

• Firelands College Theatre

McBride Auditorium
Firelands College
North Building
901 Rye Beach Rd.
Huron, OH 44839
419/433-5560 Ext. 213