Lima, Ohio: Noah's Ark, Dillinger's Jail Cell, Things Swallowed

Animated dead animals, Public Enemy #1, and a collection of objects swallowed and removed by a doctor -- all in one unusual county museum.

Allen County Museum is free, but a $5 donation is recommended. Plan to spend at least an hour -- more like three -- if you want to see/read everything. So many great exhibits.

The mechanical miniature Noah's Ark in the Allen County Museum has been restored to almost-new condition -- which most people currently alive have never seen -- by a group of local handymen volunteers. The Ark was built over a hundred years ago inside a glass-fronted cabinet -- using dead stuffed animals and a lot of gears and motors -- by local shoe store owner James E. GrosJean. If a kid bought a pair of shoes, GrosJean would fire up the Ark.

It originally had 11 moving scenes. Time and decay had reduced those to three, but now 10 are working again, and the feeble lightbulbs that illuminated the display have been replaced by bright LEDs.

A large crowd cheered the Ark's unveiling on March 31, including Lima's mayor.

The museum is pretty cool if you're into history, and it's nice too see some of the special things about the area, but we came to see the things swallowed exhibit and were not able to see it. It seems that half of the museum is currently closed for repairs, including the things swallowed and gemstone exhibits. The staff were sympathetic to our situation, as we had driven a couple hours from home to see it, and even went back to see if we could possibly sneak a peek. No luck. They said the exhibit should be back up to normal in a few months!

Noah's Ark and the taxidermy were cordoned off during our visit, but there was still plenty to see. In addition to the dinosaur poop and iron lung, there is also a large new Children's Garden with themed paths (gum balls, music) and odd touches like wind chimes made of collector spoons.