Ottawa County history museums reopen in May

PORT CLINTON — Two Ottawa County museums devoted to local history announced they will reopen in early May. The Ottawa County Museum resumes normal hours on May 5. The Union Chapel Museum will open for the summer season on May 8. The Ottawa County Museum, which has free admission and is handicapped accessible, will be open from noon to 3 p.m. every Wednesday until Memorial Day. During the summer tourism season, Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Ottawa County Museum will be open three days a week, from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Appointments to visit the museum on other days may be made by calling the museum curator, Peggy Debien, at 419-732-1039. As the name of the museum implies, there are plenty of antiquarian displays for visitors to see. Expect to be asked to follow the usual pandemic safety rules. Meanwhile, the Union Chapel Museum has set its summer tourism season hours, which will be in effect until mid-October. It will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and during the second and fourth Saturdays every month. Admission is free. Like the Ottawa County Museum, Union Chapel promises to follow safety rules. "The health and safety of staff, volunteers and guests will continue to receive our utmost attention," said Craig Koerpel, president of the Catawba Island Historical Society. "We will follow the COVID guidelines established by federal and state governmental authorities. At this point, masks will still be required and we will adhere to an appropriate social distancing protocol." Union Chapel was built in 1888. The museum announced in March that the National Park Service has selected Union Chapel for the National Register of Historic Places.