Sara Fellabaum and her husband, Robert, often make the drive from their home in New Castle, Pa., to tour the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, and each time they do, they mean to stop at the Arms Family Museum next door.
The Fellabaums never did until Sunday, which just happened to be the museum's annual Founders Day open house to celebrate the anniversary - the 137th this year - of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.
Sara Fellabaum said she saw an advertisement for the open house and thought it was ''the perfect opportunity to do both things,'' and she was certainly impressed.
Article Video
''I think it's remarkable, people willing to preserve and maintain these historical artifacts because otherwise they would just be lost. They've done a remarkable job,'' Sara Fellabaum said.
The free event featured tours of the three-story museum, historical photos, indoor and outdoor activities for children, including learning and trying Morse code, and a walking tour of Wick Avenue led by historical society executive director Bill Lawson.
Mary Beth Kirila said that at least a couple times a year she brings her son, 6-year-old Brandon, to the museum ''just to see what things were like way back when.''
Article Photos
Stained glass windows inside the Arms Family Museum in Youngstown represent the four seasons. Tribune Chronicle photos / Ron Selak Jr.
Sunday was no different.
''The price was right so we thought we would come down and see it again,'' said Kirila of Canfield.
As for Brandon, his favorite thing in the museum wasn't the handmade copper suit of armor, who a guide said the family lovingly referred to as ''George,'' but a spinning wheel used to spin wool and flax.
Brandon also seemed to particularly enjoy a large metal chandelier and asked guide Angela Small why it was on display and not hanging from the ceiling.
The museum is the preserved arts-and-crafts-style home of Olive and Wilford P. Arms. On the first floor are the original period rooms and the Arms' love of handicraft, medieval architecture and design and the natural environment, according to the historical society's Facebook page.
The lower level and second floor feature exhibits of people who lived in the Mahoning Valley.
Lena DelBene, there with her husband, Alex and son, Dave, all of Girard, said she was impressed with the amount of items. ''I can't believe the size of this place,'' she said.
The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and college students and $3 for people younger than 18.