Museum displays antiques, curiosities

GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE -- When most people think of this lakefront resort town, they picture whirling carnival rides, noisy arcades, hot dog stands and sandy beaches. But situated quietly among the hubbub of the boardwalk-style fun is a little piece of Ashtabula County history.
It's called the Jennie Munger Gregory Memorial Museum.
The house, which was built in 1823 and expanded in 1865, overlooks the sleepy, blue waters of Lake Erie and is chock full of antiques and curiosities from another era.
Munger Gregory bought the place as a summer home in 1920, and before she died in 1960, she willed it to the Ashtabula County Historical Society.
Today, the historical society uses one room of the home to store old records and the rest to display antiques and memorabilia from Ohio's rugged pioneer era through its more opulent Victorian age and beyond.
Some of the most notable antiques include a handsome 1850s grand piano, a pretty, blue and white set of dining room dishes and a gorgeous, Eastlake marble top sideboard that once belonged to Munger Gregory.
Upstairs
An upstairs bedroom features a generous collection of antique clothing dating from the 1860s to the 1920s.
Another upstairs bedroom features a rope bed, field cradle, fancy Victorian perambulator and a doll collection.
Munger Gregory's Eastlake bedroom furniture occupies another bedroom along with a beautiful stained glass window that was salvaged from a demolished Ashtabula church.
The museum's "surveyor's room" includes old maps, a surveyor's rod and chain used in the old days to measure land and a cobbler's bench.
All of the items on display at the museum have been donated by various sources.
Members of the historical society are in the process of converting their records room into a research center that will be open to the public.
The records collection includes a wealth of old photographs, newspaper clippings, books and family genealogy.
Railroad disaster
The society also has items donated from Ashtabula's notorious railway disaster, which occurred Dec. 29, 1876, when the Pacific Express No. 5 broke through an iron bridge that spanned the Ashtabula River and plunged into a chasm 70 feet deep. More than 80 people died, and about 60 were wounded.
The museum is at 5865 Lake Road and is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum usually closes after Labor Day, but this year it will remain open through the end of September.
For more information call (440) 466-7337.
The strip
While you're in town, take a walk on The Strip and visit some of Geneva-on-the-Lake's numerous other attractions.
Erieview Park, at 5483 Lake Road, features a waterslide, nine kiddie rides and nine adult rides, an arcade, a picnic area and the Swiss Chalet nightclub. For more information call (440) 466-8650.
Next to Erieview Park is the Old Firehouse Winery.
Besides the 20 award-winning wines made on the premises, the winery features a full-service restaurant with ribs, steaks and sandwiches and live music seven nights a week during July and August and weekends during May, June and September.
Upcoming special events include a Scottish and Irish Celebration Aug. 28 and 29 and a clambake Sept. 18 and 19.
For more information call (440) 466-8650.
Kids will love the Adventure Zone, a family entertainment center with go-carts, bumper boats, batting cages and miniature golf at 5600 Lake Road. The Adventure Zone is open seven days a week May through September. For more information call (440) 466-3555.
If you like hot dogs, don't miss Eddie's Grill at 5377 Lake Road. This fun eatery features 1950s d & eacute;cor and fresh lemonade and is famous for its footlong hot dogs.
For more upscale dining, try the restaurant at the new Lodge and Conference Center at Geneva State Park at 4888 State Route 534. This fabulous, sprawling hotel features gourmet dining and first-class accommodations. For more information call (440) 466-7100.
For more information on any of the attractions at Geneva-on-the-Lake, contact the visitors bureau at (800) 862-9948.