The historic Kelton House Museum & Garden in Columbus, Ohio, has been declared unsafe after a gas explosion and fire earlier this week caused extensive structural damage. City officials said that while the landmark is not in immediate danger of collapse, the building sustained significant harm, forcing authorities to restrict access as restoration assessments begin.
Built in 1852, the Kelton House holds a unique place in Ohio’s history as part of the Underground Railroad, where freedom seekers were once sheltered. It has long served as both a museum and an educational site operated by The Columbus Foundation, offering visitors an intimate look at the city’s abolitionist legacy. The explosion, which triggered a fire and left visible damage throughout the property, has sparked concern among preservationists and community members who view the home as an irreplaceable piece of local heritage.
Following the incident, the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services conducted an inspection on Tuesday. Marvin Marcum, a city building inspector, determined that the property’s first and second floors had severe water damage and collapsing plaster. Due to debris blocking the staircase, inspectors were unable to reach the third floor to assess its condition. The inspection also found that parts of the roof were displaced, and the attached carriage house and connector were completely destroyed. Damaged electrical wiring was also noted, posing a continued fire risk.
Deputy Director Anthony Celebrezze of the building department said inspectors posted the building as “unsafe,” meaning no one can occupy it until repairs are made. However, officials decided not to issue an “emergency unsafe” order, which would have required immediate demolition. “We don’t feel that there is a threat of collapse of the main building,” Celebrezze said. “That’s why we only issued an unsafe order. An emergency order would have required them to knock it down.”
Despite the safety declaration, restoration specialists from Servpro have been allowed limited access to carefully remove artifacts and historical materials from the site. Crews were seen on Tuesday and Wednesday carrying out items from the museum’s collection to ensure their preservation.
Celebrezze described the damage as a “catastrophic event” for the museum’s outbuildings. “The connector and carriage house were heavily, heavily damaged, if not totally destroyed,” he said. “The main building itself did sustain some damage, but our inspector was not able to get to all three floors due to debris.”
The next steps now rest with The Columbus Foundation, which owns and oversees the property. The foundation is expected to work with design and structural professionals to determine the extent of the damage and evaluate which parts of the structure can be salvaged. “Our building compliance team will continue to work with the owner to get this into our processes,” Celebrezze said. “We want to help them repair and rebuild whatever is feasible and ensure it moves through the review and permitting process properly.”
Restoration is expected to be a lengthy and complex effort, particularly because of the Kelton House’s historic designation. “It could take a significant amount of time to repair this historic building,” Celebrezze added. “There will likely be historic reviews and state-level coordination involved. Funding may also play a role, but those dollars are not always quick to arrive.”
The Columbus Foundation expressed deep sadness over the damage but gratitude that no one was injured. “We are grateful no one was hurt during the events, and we thank first responders for their quick action,” the foundation said in a statement. “We look forward to learning more about the extent of the damage in the days and weeks ahead.”
For now, city officials have erected a six-foot safety fence around the perimeter and posted bright orange “danger” signs on the building’s windows. The site remains closed to the public as engineers and preservation experts assess the structure’s stability.
The Kelton House has long been a cherished part of Columbus’s cultural and historical landscape. Beyond its architectural beauty, the museum tells stories of courage and humanity from a critical period in American history. As the community now faces the challenge of rebuilding, many are hopeful that the landmark’s legacy can be preserved.
“The history of this building is an important piece of the fabric of our city,” Celebrezze said. “We definitely hope that it’s salvageable, rebuildable, and put back into productive use.”
For the people of Columbus, restoring the Kelton House will not just mean repairing a structure—it will mean preserving a living connection to the city’s past and ensuring that future generations can continue to learn from its enduring story of freedom and resilience.
