Columbus Metropolitan Library

This Canal Wi******er home looks pretty good for 189 years old 😳➡️

The historic home at 37 Liberty St. has stood the test of time.

While its exact construction date is difficult to pin down, the house is believed to have been built as early as 1837. It appears on maps from the 1850s, when Canal Wi******er was still simply known as “Wi******er”.

In the 1850s, it was home to the Sommerville family, who operated a tannery next door.

Many years later, the house was divided to include an apartment, and for a time, a beauty salon was also operated out of the home.

In 1975, the building was purchased by Betty and Jim Murray, who restored the historic residence. Betty waters flowers in this image, taken in May 1977.

🏡 Nearly 190 years later, the house remains a private residence – and a frequent stop on the Tour of Homes hosted by the Canal Wi******er Area Historical Society Inc.

Friday is here! Are you reading anything special this weekend? 😎

Did you know your library card works at the Gateway Film Center? Tickets are free to any movie in the "From Book To Film" series:

🧌 Where the Wild Things Are
🍫 W***y Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
🦁 The Wiz
🕵️‍♀️ Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase
🌲 FernGully: The Last Rainforest
📚 Matilda
🏰 Howl’s Moving Castle
🤖 The Iron Giant
🧩 Labyrinth
🎞️ Passing
💜 The Color Purple

Just bring your library card to the ticket counter on the day of the screening, and you'll be on your way (while supplies last).

Showtimes: https://gatewayfilmcenter.org/from-book-to-film/

FREE SUMMER MEALS are coming back to the library 🍽️🌟

Starting Monday, June 1, kids and teens can get free meals at select library locations thanks to Children's Hunger Alliance. Some branches will also offer breakfast or dinner options.

Meals will be available until school is back in session.

👉 See meal times in the comments, and come grab a plate!

You could once watch live wrestling and boxing – with a homegrown turkey dinner – at this Reynoldsburg motel ➡️

The Haft Motel opened in 1942 under the ownership of former Ohio State wrestling coach Al Haft and his brother, Charles. Together, they ran the motel for more than 30 years.

Advertisements for the new “Haft Motel Arena” promoted free wrestling shows, boxing matches, and other entertainment. Since the Hafts owned a nearby turkey farm, they proudly advertised their meals with the slogan “We Raise ‘Em and Serve ‘Em”.

Haft had been involved in wrestling since the 1920s. He gave Columbus’ Ringside Café its name, operated another wrestling arena near Goodale Park, and promoted shows with well-known wrestlers like “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and Gorgeous George.

By the 1950s, Haft was booking more than $1 million per year.

Haft died in 1976, and the hotel closed soon after. The area has since been redeveloped, and today, a Wendy’s stands on East Main Street.

📍 6764 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg

Happy Friday! Are you reading something good this weekend? 😎

Living the dream, in a way 😎

We're stepping outside the box at the Library Store ✨ Now in stock:

– Stuffed animals (and minis!)
– Literary candles, soaps, lotions
– New tote bags
– New water bottles & mugs
– New clothing & accessories
– SO much more!

📍 Main Library (96 S. Grant Ave)
🛒 Store open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Christopher Inn was an iconic Columbus landmark ➡️

The hotel opened in the summer of 1963. Standing 16 stories tall, it featured 137 pie-slice rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, each showcasing panoramic views of the city.

Outside, its unique cylindrical design was stylish – inside, its mid-century modern décor was luxurious and trendy.

In the late 1970s, plans were made to dramatically expand the site by adding a 60-story tall "space needle" and a rotating restaurant. The plans were never realized.

By the 1980s, newer high-rises made the once-towering inn seem small, and its size became insufficient for the larger crowds coming to Columbus. It went into foreclosure and was sold at a Sheriff’s sale in 1988, and was demolished two months later.

📍 300 E. Broad St.

🏛️ One of the architects behind the Christopher Inn, Leon Ransom Jr., also designed Columbus Metropolitan Library’s first Martin Luther King Branch.