1950s: Building the American Dream

Step back into the 1950s at the Ohio History Center with this hands-on exhibit that brings the decade to life. Inside a full-size Lustron steel home built right in the museum, you and your family can explore what daily life looked like for an actual Central Ohio family during this fascinating era. Settle onto the couch, flip through records, open drawers, and get a real feel for how people lived. Kids especially enjoy the interactive elements and the chance to discover artifacts from the time period. The exhibit goes beyond nostalgia to tell a fuller story of the decade. You'll encounter vintage cars like a 1957 Chevy, an Airstream trailer, toys, a Cold War bomb shelter display, and even a combination clothes and dishwasher—objects that spark conversations about how families lived then. The exhibit explores three key themes: how family roles were changing, the social and political challenges many Americans faced (including segregation and the Civil Rights movement), and the pop culture that still captivates people today. General admission runs $10–$16 depending on age, with free entry for children under 3 and museum members.