The International Peace Museum
The International Peace Museum
4.5
About
The International Peace Museum is located at 10 N. Ludlow St on the Historic Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton, Ohio. The Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm every Friday and Saturday with many scheduled events throughout the week. Scheduled school or community group reservations can be made online at peace.museum.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
7
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Lynette A
Dayton, OH56 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
This is an attempt by a couple of ant-war pacifists to live out their dream. After going carefully through the house, the few things I took from it was, thank goodness for American troops that helped end the holocost. And many countries have appreciated our (USA) intervention in some pretty horrific situations across the world. My husband tried to engage in some honest dialogue, but they don't want to listen. How hum, typical.
Written July 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lynette,
Well, Lynette, it's been nearly 4 years since your review and we would like to invite you back for another look at the Dayton Peace Museum. I am disappointed if you felt a volunteer was not able to engage in an honest dialogue with you and your husband on your visit, but I predict you will have a better experience if you return.
Certainly most people drawn to volunteer at a peace museum would consider themselves to be against war, violence, and injustice. That said, building peace, mediating conflict, tolerating those who live differently from ourselves and defending those who are victims of injustice is anything but a passive endeavor. Violence is much easier to wage than peace. I can think of worse dreams than working for a better world.
The mission of the museum remains to build awareness through sharing exhibits, talks, films, books, support groups, and music on the value of a peaceful, just, and unpolluted civil society and world. We continue not to charge an admission and rely only on the generosity of our visitors and supporters.
Hope to see you soon.
Written March 14, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
trvlntradr
Yellow Springs, OH28 contributions
Just a small museum in downtown Dayton. It's nice that is there and it's worth stopping by if you are nearby but it won't take long to see it all.
Written February 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarrlandsReview
Dayton, OH12 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
This is a young museum, as museums go; and it's a work in progress. When I first heard of the Peace Museum, I thought I might find hippies in tie-dye singing Kumbaya, and singing tunes from the Summer of '67. But it's not that at all. Seriously. No Jerry Garcia nor a single pop up VW camper in sight... Although it would be fun to see one covered in Flower Power!
Think "International Peace" and you will have a better framework for understanding the enormous undertaking the founders of this museum took when they opened its doors. Rooms display the Nobel Peace Prize winners, as well as the purpose of the United Nations and the stories of local and internationally recognized peace activists of the 20th century. One room has some graphic images of the horrors of war (I.e., Nagasaki) but there are written warnings outside the room to give parents a heads-up if their kids aren't ready for that sort of information yet.
This museum is run solely by volunteers with a very dedicated board. It does not take long to go through it, but we would "miss" it if it wasn't there..
Think "International Peace" and you will have a better framework for understanding the enormous undertaking the founders of this museum took when they opened its doors. Rooms display the Nobel Peace Prize winners, as well as the purpose of the United Nations and the stories of local and internationally recognized peace activists of the 20th century. One room has some graphic images of the horrors of war (I.e., Nagasaki) but there are written warnings outside the room to give parents a heads-up if their kids aren't ready for that sort of information yet.
This museum is run solely by volunteers with a very dedicated board. It does not take long to go through it, but we would "miss" it if it wasn't there..
Written January 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NomadNancy51
Clayton, OH106 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
I am a Daytonian and proud that we have this museum. However, it offers very little to the visitor for the suggested $8 donation.
The first and most grievous issue is that it is NOT ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Oh, there's a ramp to get up to a door which opens out, into the path of a wheelchair user, but that is where ADA compliance stops. If one wants to see the exhibits upstairs, the only option is to climb the stairs to the second floor - keep in mind, as an old Victorian, the ceilings are 12+ feet high, so the stairway is long; the banister low. Of the 4 of us who visited today, only 2 were able to make the climb.
The message is muddy. The exhibits disjointed. And, there is no clear message about how the museum came to be and to be here, in Dayton. The space is really too small for "traveling"/rotating exhibits. The well-intentioned volunteers were not able to interpret this museum's unique story, but rather, paraphrased exhibit text easily read by the visitor with a healthy portion of personal vigor about the importance of peace. We did not see or hear anything about the Dayton Peace Accords or Holbrook's role in negotiating those accords. Disappointing, at the very least.
Now I know not to drag out of town guests downtown for this attraction - especially with the free Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park only a few blocks away offering excellent information and exhibits about real hometown heroes.
The first and most grievous issue is that it is NOT ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Oh, there's a ramp to get up to a door which opens out, into the path of a wheelchair user, but that is where ADA compliance stops. If one wants to see the exhibits upstairs, the only option is to climb the stairs to the second floor - keep in mind, as an old Victorian, the ceilings are 12+ feet high, so the stairway is long; the banister low. Of the 4 of us who visited today, only 2 were able to make the climb.
The message is muddy. The exhibits disjointed. And, there is no clear message about how the museum came to be and to be here, in Dayton. The space is really too small for "traveling"/rotating exhibits. The well-intentioned volunteers were not able to interpret this museum's unique story, but rather, paraphrased exhibit text easily read by the visitor with a healthy portion of personal vigor about the importance of peace. We did not see or hear anything about the Dayton Peace Accords or Holbrook's role in negotiating those accords. Disappointing, at the very least.
Now I know not to drag out of town guests downtown for this attraction - especially with the free Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park only a few blocks away offering excellent information and exhibits about real hometown heroes.
Written June 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi NomadNancy51,
We appreciate your comments and share your concern about not having an elevator in the building. We are currently researching this subject again and hope to raise the approximate $40,000 it would take to retrofit an elevator in a 150+ year old historic house. I hope you can help support that effort since it is something you are affected by and are passionate about.
You may also be pleased to know we are working on a completely new and interactive exhibit celebrating the 2020 25th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and Richard Holbrooke. Within that project will be a more clearly defined story about the museum's history and connection to Dayton. This project was made possible by two generous donors as the Museum is volunteer-run and 100% dependent on donations.
Even so, there is no entrance fee, but donations are appreciated. I think if you would be willing to visit again, you might be more positive about our direction and in bringing guests for a visit.
Written March 14, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
William S
Ontario, Canada3 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
This is an interesting small topical museum. It's not quite big enough to make a special trip to, but if you are wondering around downtown Dayton, I recommend stopping in. If nothing else, you can see the classic old house (Pollack House) it resides in which was built in 1877 and is in excellent condition. The museum itself is dedicated to peace topics and related material. It has displays about such events as the holocaust and the atomic bombing in Japan. The staff seam friendly and I talked to a gentleman who is building wind power on his farm. They have exhibits for children.
Written April 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael F
Laurie, MO161 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
I first heard about this museum from my dad, a WW ll vet. He flew as a crew member on a B-24. I heard so much about this place. I worked in the Aero Space industry and I wanted to go here too. I have gone 3 times and plan to go in August 2015.
From WW l to present day, from space capsules, to the SR 71 it's all here. If you pass Dayton and don't stop here you will miss a lifetime of history. The cost id FREE! The I MAX does cost.
I will never forget this place, it holds deep emotions and rich history for me. My family all have enjoyed it as well.
Please don't pass this by
From WW l to present day, from space capsules, to the SR 71 it's all here. If you pass Dayton and don't stop here you will miss a lifetime of history. The cost id FREE! The I MAX does cost.
I will never forget this place, it holds deep emotions and rich history for me. My family all have enjoyed it as well.
Please don't pass this by
Written January 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vidulichm
Morgantown, WV70 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
This is a very nice, museum in a beautiful old 3 story house near downtown Dayton. There were some really great exhibits and it's FREE. Donations are accepted though, of course. Wish we had even more time to spend there.
Written March 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love2Wrestle
Wilmington, OH75 contributions
The museum is really more of an educational center. They have quite a few informational displays but few artifacts of historical significance. I would definitely recommend it for kids or students. The home the museum is located in is absolutely beautiful and thankfully the museum has apparently tried to maintain the home's gorgeous woodwork and fireplaces.
Written August 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norm H
Springfield, OH1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Wonderful visit! This museum is very much alive. Loved the exhibits that relate to everyday life. The art work is so alive and iinvolving. The Dayton Peace trail is a powerful expereince of the challenging real history of the area. I highly recommend a visit. I spent about one hour there.
Written July 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LiterateWanderer
United States126 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The International Peace Museum has a number of very nice displays set up in what seems like a fairly new space. Everything is well maintained, for instance. It's on the small side, so it doesn't take long to go through it. They also have a number of audio-video displays that use headphones to present information. I don't love that aspect--I have no interest in sharing headphones with every other visitor--so that information was lost to me. There are images and descriptive text and some display cases of artifacts, some of which are more obviously related to peace than others.
They have a good start at being an interesting museum, but, unfortunately, it seems like the name is aspirational rather than descriptive. There is a display on Bosnia (the international part?), but there are more displays of artwork related to peace, books, information about propaganda, etc. The visit gave me a lot of food for thought, but primarily that thought was about what an international peace museum (or, indeed, any peace museum) ought to include. For instance, is "peace" just about war and its aftermath? If we look at peace in an international context, how many countries' stories should be represented, and does that mean domestic events should be ignored? Is a museum simply a place to house artifacts or is it a visual argument that should help the visitor to think through the issues and realize their place in the presence or absence of peace in the world?
I could imagine some really fascinating exhibits in a museum of this sort. For instance, it would have been nice if this museum had any (or all) of the following:
• An exhibit on the role of various social institutions on the formation of peace or its lack in the world (e.g., schools encouraging critical thinking that separates things versus synthesis that unites, religions that espouse love for your neighbor versus using religious texts to condemn individuals, sports where the goal is to crush the opponent versus creating team players, etc.)
• An expanded fascism exhibit (they have a very interesting single poster that hints at this) that shows how the items on that list have operated over time, perhaps using quotes, tweet, memes, headlines, etc. to identify the relevant strengths of each aspect of fascism during different political eras in our supposedly non-fascist society.
• An exhibit examining the domestic role for peace that is implied in the Preamble to the Constitution (insure domestic tranquility) compared with actual historical domestic events since then (e.g. riots, issues of civil rights, etc)
• An exhibit looking at historical peace (or lack thereof) globally (not just Bosnia): war and genocide (lack of peace), peace-keeping missions (how peaceful are they really?), treaties, etc.
• And, finally, an enumeration of notable people who have contributed to the peace process in any venue.
In addition to expanded exhibits, the museum needs to think further about helping visitors to follow and understand the argument it is making. For example, there is a signed photo of Martin Sheen in his role as the president in the West Wing TV show with no explanation of how it relates to peace. Unless you were aware that he was an anti-nuclear-weapons activist, you would have no context for why the photo is there. As another example, there is a whole section with historical images of advertisements and a single note implying that some of these are problematic. However, nothing guides the viewer to understand which pieces are problematic and why, nor how such things contribute to a lack of peace, nor how advertisements could contribute to peace instead, nor what the individual's role as a consumer ought to be. If the visitor doesn't start out with the correct understanding of problematic advertising, they may very well leave without being any further enlightened. For a museum that appears to be making an argument, it would be really helpful for there to be a clear pathway through the exhibits such that each piece builds the arguments across history and through various aspects of society and ends with you the individual and what your role in expanding/creating peace might be.
I'm not at all trying to discourage anyone from visiting the museum. It was an interesting visit, and I'm glad we went. I learned things about Bosnia that I hadn't known, and the poster listing various aspects of fascism offered a thought-provoking comparison with current events. Some of the artwork was beautiful and interesting to look at. It was just not what I might have expected from the name.
They have a good start at being an interesting museum, but, unfortunately, it seems like the name is aspirational rather than descriptive. There is a display on Bosnia (the international part?), but there are more displays of artwork related to peace, books, information about propaganda, etc. The visit gave me a lot of food for thought, but primarily that thought was about what an international peace museum (or, indeed, any peace museum) ought to include. For instance, is "peace" just about war and its aftermath? If we look at peace in an international context, how many countries' stories should be represented, and does that mean domestic events should be ignored? Is a museum simply a place to house artifacts or is it a visual argument that should help the visitor to think through the issues and realize their place in the presence or absence of peace in the world?
I could imagine some really fascinating exhibits in a museum of this sort. For instance, it would have been nice if this museum had any (or all) of the following:
• An exhibit on the role of various social institutions on the formation of peace or its lack in the world (e.g., schools encouraging critical thinking that separates things versus synthesis that unites, religions that espouse love for your neighbor versus using religious texts to condemn individuals, sports where the goal is to crush the opponent versus creating team players, etc.)
• An expanded fascism exhibit (they have a very interesting single poster that hints at this) that shows how the items on that list have operated over time, perhaps using quotes, tweet, memes, headlines, etc. to identify the relevant strengths of each aspect of fascism during different political eras in our supposedly non-fascist society.
• An exhibit examining the domestic role for peace that is implied in the Preamble to the Constitution (insure domestic tranquility) compared with actual historical domestic events since then (e.g. riots, issues of civil rights, etc)
• An exhibit looking at historical peace (or lack thereof) globally (not just Bosnia): war and genocide (lack of peace), peace-keeping missions (how peaceful are they really?), treaties, etc.
• And, finally, an enumeration of notable people who have contributed to the peace process in any venue.
In addition to expanded exhibits, the museum needs to think further about helping visitors to follow and understand the argument it is making. For example, there is a signed photo of Martin Sheen in his role as the president in the West Wing TV show with no explanation of how it relates to peace. Unless you were aware that he was an anti-nuclear-weapons activist, you would have no context for why the photo is there. As another example, there is a whole section with historical images of advertisements and a single note implying that some of these are problematic. However, nothing guides the viewer to understand which pieces are problematic and why, nor how such things contribute to a lack of peace, nor how advertisements could contribute to peace instead, nor what the individual's role as a consumer ought to be. If the visitor doesn't start out with the correct understanding of problematic advertising, they may very well leave without being any further enlightened. For a museum that appears to be making an argument, it would be really helpful for there to be a clear pathway through the exhibits such that each piece builds the arguments across history and through various aspects of society and ends with you the individual and what your role in expanding/creating peace might be.
I'm not at all trying to discourage anyone from visiting the museum. It was an interesting visit, and I'm glad we went. I learned things about Bosnia that I hadn't known, and the poster listing various aspects of fascism offered a thought-provoking comparison with current events. Some of the artwork was beautiful and interesting to look at. It was just not what I might have expected from the name.
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Literate Wanderer, we appreciate the time it must have taken you to write a thorough review of your recent trip to the museum. We appreciate constructive criticism, and there's plenty to unpack in your comments. Although we have been in existence for 20 years, we moved into the present site 18 months ago and still have loads of work to do, in large part because we're made up of only one full-time employee and the rest part-time staff. We were without a space for 1.5 years due to COVID-19 and construction, so we're excited to be on Courthouse Square.
That said, you bring up good points and we will continue to be more complete with our placards and descriptions on exhibits. If you didn't have a member of the staff give you a tour, you will have to make sure to do so next visit as our tours cover much of the stories and explanations for the majority of our objects and exhibits. You may also not know that we offer 4 new main room exhibits and 2 to 3 smaller gallery new exhibits a year, which is uncommon for a small museum. Peace is a massive topic, so there are many different interruptions for what people believe we should or should not cover in a museum, but we do our best. Earlier this year, we had exhibits on land mines and UXO, Laos, mentoring, Disinformation and Propaganda, the plight of Bahai in Iran, and civilian casualties of recent wars.
As far as notable people, you may have missed our digital Peacebuilder's exhibit which highlights through video, audio, and words, the work of notable people working for peace in the Dayton area and globally. One of the kiosks uses headphones, but the other uses a live speaker should you not wish to use headphones. Through a grant, we hope to implement all digital items working through a visitor's phone.
Again, we deeply appreciate your comments and your visit. We hope to see you again.
Written December 18, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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