For those of you who have ever wondered who the Ohio Exploration Society is, we have decided to put together this page to let you know what we're about. If you have any other questions about the OES that is not answered on this page please feel free to email with your inquiry.
WHO IS THE OES?
The Ohio Exploration Society is a group of urban explorers and paranormal investigators who reside in the state of Ohio. Members of the OES vary in age, education, and profession, as to include people from all walks of life. We, however, share one thing in common, the desire to explore and preserve the history and legends of not only historical, but abandoned and forgotten sites in Ohio. Click Here to meet our members.
IS THE OES NON-PROFIT?
The OES is a non-profit organization in the sense that we are a free, volunteer-based organization. We are not a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, although we one day hope to be. We are currently working on the documents that need to be filed to officially register with the United States and the State of Ohio as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, but it has been a slow process. Since we do not charge for anything we do, any revenue generated from donations or purchases made at our online stores will go directly back into the OES for things like paying web-hosting fees, covering travel costs, and upgrading equipment. Any donations or purchases made are not tax deductible since the OES does not yet possess 501(c)(3) status.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE OES?
The Ohio Exploration Society was formed in the summer of 2000 in Columbus, Ohio. Originally consisting of three members, the OES began exploring old cemeteries around Franklin County. During the first few months of the society's existence, no photos were taken and no historical information was researched. Then in October of that year, the three members decided to create a website to document the locations they were visiting. The original six pages of the website were uploaded and the OES' presence on the Internet began. The OES also investigated haunted locations while exploring. It wasn't until the fall of 2004 when the OES officially began offering private paranormal investigations to property owners. With nearly two gigabytes of material on the website today, the OES has gown drastically as a group and as a resource of information to those interested in the lost and forgotten histories of Ohio and its legends.
WHAT DOES THE OES DO?
In the most basic sense, the OES explores and documents the history and legends of locations we have visited. Sometimes in full gear, wearing coveralls and respirators, and sometimes armed only with a camera, the OES visits man-made and natural wonders around the state. We have visited everything from well-known historical sites to abandoned prisons to dilapidated cemeteries to beautiful parks. We photograph and document these locations, publishing them on our website for all to view and enjoy.
WHY DOES THE OES DO IT?
The OES wants to raise the general public's awareness level about all of the wonderful, but forgotten sites in Ohio. Every day thousands of people pass these types of places on their way to work, while walking their dog or enjoying a vacation. Some may notice these places, ponder about it for a few moments and then go about their lives. They will never know that the namesake of the road they're driving on is buried in that old run-down cemetery at the corner. They will never know that there was once a bustling factory or ancient earthwork on the site of a new shopping center where they just purchased their Gap jeans. That is why we do this. So these places that are being overcome by new development, or just plain forgotten, will survive in the photos that we take and in the minds of those who know about them.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
The Ohio Exploration Society enjoys giving back to the community. The OES has adopted several lots at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus. Our members are responsible for the care and upkeep of these lots. Some of the lots that we have adopted are the Hayden Mausoleum, "Georgie's" grave, and the John Barr lot. The OES also helped clean the nearby Green Lawn Abbey during the summer/fall of 2004. If you would like to adopt your own lot at Green Lawn Cemetery, stop by the Green Lawn office for the paperwork or apply online by clicking here, it's free.
HOW CAN I HELP?
If you would like to help the Ohio Exploration Society, there are a few things you can do. If you know of a lost, forgotten or historical place that you would like to see on the website, fill out our Exploration Submission Form. If it's a haunting that you know of, use our Hauntings Submission Form. If you have photos that you would like to contribute, please email . Any contributions will be credited to you, if you so desire. If you would like to help financially, please consider making a donation. We also have several Online Stores where we sell OES-branded merchandise, and an online Gear Shop where you can purchase the equipment you will need to explore abandoned locations and investigate the paranormal. Any funds generated from donations or the online stores go directly back into the OES.
OHIO
EXPLORATION
SOCIETY
P.O. Box 972
Pickerington, Ohio 43147