Entry No. 35 — the Columbus file — filed under: observatory
Perkins Observatory
Founded in 1923, this historic active research facility was once home to the world's third-largest telescope and now hosts romantic public stargazing programs.
The story
In 1923, Ohio Wesleyan mathematics and astronomy professor Hiram Perkins poured his life savings into constructing a massive astronomical facility off State Route 23, about ten miles north of where I-270 sits today. The ambition was wild for central Ohio: build an observatory that briefly housed the third-largest telescope mirror in the world. Owned and operated by OWU ever since, the heavy brick-and-copper dome still sits shrouded in a patch of dark woods, holding out against the creeping light pollution of suburban development.
While modern professional astrophysics moved its heavy deep-sky research to remote mountain ranges decades ago, Perkins remains an active, working piece of optical history. The vintage brick architecture, heavy mounting gears, and classic glass optics preserve an era when skywatching required standing in the dark and putting your eye directly to cold metal and glass. You aren't staring at a digital rendering on a monitor—you're looking through the exact same optics that tracked comets like Hale-Bopp across the Ohio sky.
What it's like
Pull off Route 23 after dark and follow the tree-lined driveway up to the brick dome. Public stargazing programs run on select Friday nights (often starting at 9 PM in summer), and you'll need to lock in tickets online well beforehand because dome capacity is tight. If Ohio weather turns cloudy, don't expect a cancellation: the astronomers pivot to an indoor program covering the building's history, optics, and dome mechanics. One key detail you won't find on a casual flyer: observatory domes aren't heated because heat waves mess with telescope optics, so bring a jacket even on summer nights.
The move: Reserve tickets for a Friday night public program to explore the vintage brick structure and peer at distant planets through their massive telescopes.
- 📍 Delaware
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 3199 Columbus Pike, Delaware, OH 43015
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Sound Room at Polaris — Pair a night of deep-space observation with immersion in high-frequency acoustic sound therapy eight miles south down Route 23.
- Chief Leatherlips Monument — Swap looking up at distant planets for looking up at a 12-foot limestone head built directly into a Dublin hillside nine miles away.
- P.O. Box Twenty One — Follow up a late evening under the observatory dome by grabbing drinks inside a hidden speakeasy disguised as a 1990s post office.
Good to know
Do I need tickets in advance for public stargazing nights?
Yes. Space inside the historic dome is limited, so tickets for Friday night public programs must be reserved online prior to arrival.
What happens if it's cloudy or raining on the night of my program?
Programs run rain or shine. If clouds block the view, staff switch to an indoor tour of the historic facility, equipment, and dome mechanics.
Where is Perkins Observatory located?
It sits at 3199 Columbus Pike (US Route 23) in Delaware, Ohio, roughly 10 miles north of the I-270 outerbelt.
Who owns and operates the observatory?
The facility is owned and operated by Ohio Wesleyan University, which founded it in 1923.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: columbusastronomy.org · Wikipedia · owu.edu · columbusunderground.com · observatoriesofohio.org
last checked: 2026-07-21