Tours of the Summit County Historical Society's historic structures start at the office and Woodshed Emporium Gift Shop located behind the Perkins Stone Mansion. Tickets include guided tours of both buildings.
The Perkins Stone Mansion was constructed between 1835 and 1837 with funds paid by Akron's founder, General Simon Perkins, for his son and daugther-in-law, Colonel Simon Perkins and Grace Tod Perkins. Colonel Simon Perkins was instrumental in helping to form Summit County as a state senator in 1840. Their home and its properties represent tremendous change in Akron and Summit County from agriculture to industry, military might and transportation history.
The theme for the 2025 season at the old stone house is "kNOw PERKINS - kNOw AKRON' curated by Denise Lundell. Take a journey through time using the lens of Society artifacts on display this year for Akron's Bicentennial. From its founding to industry and famous people, there's something for everyone.
There is a temporary exhibit in the John Brown House on loan from the Akron Zoo entitled, "Black History in Perkins Woods." The panels reflect the landscape donated by the Perkins family that includes the John Brown Monument, today's Akron Zoo, and neighboring business, The Custard Stand. It features the work of Emmer Lancaster in preserving the John Brown Monument and the 25 Year Club, a group of African American residents for 25 years and over who made a significant addition to the monument in 1938.
This exhibit will be up until June 28th.
Tours are also available via EventBrite and also without an appointment if tickets are still open per day and may be purchased at the gift shop.