About Motts
Motts Military Museum
Founded in 1987 by Warren E. Motts of Groveport, Ohio who established the museum as a 501 (C) 3 not for profit tax exempt educational organization. The mission of Motts Military Museum is to:
“To educate the public on the importance of America’s military past through the documentation, collection, interpretation, and preservation of tangible artifacts and personal stories of the men and women who served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces.”
Originally established in the Motts family’s 1870 residence, the museum moved in 1999 to a more modern 5,100 square foot facility with nearly four acres of land. The new building and grounds were given to the museum through the generosity of Columbus Attorney Robert R. Richards who was a former special agent of the War Department during World War II.
Over the next several years the museum grew in leaps and bounds. Donations poured in from veterans and their families. The museum secured many vehicles, military aircraft, and a Higgins Boat from World War II. In 2001, the museum broke ground for a new wing and as funds were available the museum’s volunteer crew, many of whom were professional carpenters, electricians and other skilled tradesmen, worked on the 5,200 square feet area. By 2006, the entire structure was completed and paid in full. On May 23, 2015 the new wing was dedicated.
More Information
Motts Military Museum, Inc.
5075 South Hamilton Rd.
Groveport, Ohio 43125-9336
info@mottsmilitarymuseum.org
Phone: (614) 836-1500
Our Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: 1pm to 5pm
Holiday Hours
Thanksgiving Day: Closed
Christmas Day: Closed
We close at noon the day before Christmas and the day before Thanksgiving.
Admission
Adults: $10
Seniors/Veterans with ID: $8
Students: $5
Children 5 and under: FREE
Museum Board
The Motts Military Museum is proud to have several military veterans and community leaders serving on its Museum Board of Directors and Advisory Board.
“BO” HINDALL
Chairman
President/CEO, Inquiry Systems, Inc.
Columbus, Ohio
Carey Bowman “Bo” Hindall joined the United States Navy in 1963, serving as an Aviation Electricians Mate, rank PO-3, at NAS JAX at Jacksonville, FL and NAS Glenco at Brunswick, GA. In 1980, after careers including medical equipment maintenance and sales, and machine tool sales, and B2B advertising agency ownership; he founded Inquiry Systems, Inc., which provides marketing support services including direct mail and custom fulfillment services to Columbus area businesses and specialty bindery, finishing, and assembly services to commercial printers.
Mr. Hindall has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 30 years as a Scoutmaster, Committee Member, and Assistant Scoutmaster. He was also a co-founder of the Dublin Villager, a weekly community newspaper, and has been active in local city government and community service projects. He served as a founding board member on the non-profit Dublin Community Improvement Corporation and was a founding member of the original Visual Design and Sign Approval Committee for the City of Dublin’s Historic Downtown District, and he served as a founding board member with The Country Club at Muirfield Village.
Married to Wife Kathy since 1968, they have a son and daughter and 4 grandchildren. Bo has been actively involved with the Motts Military Museum since its inception in 1988 and is a Family Life Member.
Warren E. Motts
Founder/Executive Director
Groveport, Ohio
Warren E. Motts, a native of Ohio, and graduate of Groveport-Madison High School, joined the Ohio National Guard at the age of eighteen. He received basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After his training he was sent to Ft. Monmouth, NJ where he was trained as a photographer. He was in the ONG for nine years obtaining the rank of Staff Sgt. in charge of the Photographic Section, HQ & HQ, 37th Infantry Division. He also obtained a job in the photographic department at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio, receiving a secret and top secret security clearance working on government projects.
At Battelle he met Daisy Blair and they were married. They have two children Wayne and Lori, three grandchildren Brittney, Taylor, and Lexi. He was the owner of Motts Photographic Center, Inc. for 25 years. He is past president of The Professional Photographers of Ohio, The American Society of Professional Photographers, and The Professional Photographers of America and has many degrees and awards from these organizations. He founded Motts Military Museum Inc. in his home in 1988 and moved to the present location in 1999, where the museum continues to thrive and expand.
JEFFERY J. MILLER
Executive Director, Fairfield / Hocking County Chapter of the American Red Cross
Canal Winchester, Ohio
Jeff is a graduate of the University of Akron and Ohio Dominican College, Jeff began his career serving in the Sheriff’s Department of Summit County, Ohio from 1976 – 1982. Jeff continued his law enforcement career and retired from the Columbus Division of Police where he served in several capacities of law enforcement for 27 years.
In his service with the Columbus Division of Police, Jeff was decorated with two Silver Cross Medals for extraordinary heroism. He was elected mayor of the Village of Canal Winchester in November 2003. He served on the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission regional growth committee, and policy committee.
Jeff was also selected as chair of the Central Ohio Municipal Council which is involved in regional economic development with the State Route 33 growth alliance, and the Rickenbacker intermodal facility. He has been selected to testify before House and Senate committees supporting home rule and public safety issues. Additionally Jeff volunteers his time as a board member of the American Red Cross. Currently, Jeff is serving as interim executive director for the Fairfield/Hocking county chapter of the American Red Cross.
NEIL W. MOTTS
Neil Motts & Associates, Inc., Graphic Design Consultants
Columbus, Ohio
Neil W. Motts is a life long resident of Franklin County, Ohio. Graduated from Groveport Madison High School and attended the Columbus College of Art and Design. He was a Sergeant in the Air National Guard, 160th Air Refueling Group. He is currently the Owner and Creative Director of Neil Motts & Associates, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. A Graphic Design Communications firm specializing in corporate identity / branding programs, creating interactive web sites with marketing and sales material to enhance branding.
Neil’s firm has designed the museum’s exhibit spaces, created several museum promotion pieces and created the museum web site.
Neil has also been an instructor and periodic guest lecturer in the Industrial Design Department at Ohio State University. He is an active member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, a founding member of the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts and has won numerous national awards in recognition for design excellence in Corporate Image programs and Innovative Package Design. He has also served as a member of the Columbus Symphony Grand Ball Committee.
Neil has two brothers Dwight and Warren and Sisters-in-law Doris and Daisy. He is single with a daughter Kelly, Son-in-law Hani, a son Michael and 4 grand children.
Richard D. Match
Treasurer
Groveport, Ohio
Richard D. Match was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from Parma Senior High School he attended Capital University where he majored in psychology and history.
After graduating he attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary and earned his Master’s Degree. He served Lutheran congregations in Franklin Furnace, Arlington, and Columbus, Ohio. After forty years of service he and his wife, Shirley, settled in the Groveport area where he served vacant congregations while they searched for a pastor. Presently he serves as a pastoral associate to the bishop, visiting ill pastors and their wives and also widows of deceased pastors. Richard and Shirley have three sons and five grandchildren.
He has officiated high school and small college athletics in five sports for over thirty-five years, and still umpires fast pitch softball. He also sings with the Columbus Maennerchor and is active with the Groveport-Madison Lions Club. He also has been a volunteer at Motts Military Museum where he gives tours as well as creating special show cases and display areas. He has been involved with the Museum for five years.
CARL SWISHER
Swisher & Son’s Painting
Columbus, Ohio
Carl W. Swisher serves as President of the Franklin County Veterans Service Commission, representing the American Legion (AL). He served in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964 serving as E-3.
He currently holds Life Memberships with the following Veterans Organizations: American Legion, AMVETS, VVA, Navy League Association and Masons. He serves on the Armed Forces Community Council, Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Mayor Advisory Board as President, Milvets, Operation Flag and Ohio Educational Training Foundation, Resolutions Committee, National Finance Committee and National Executive Committeeman Department of Ohio American Legion.
Carl has served as Chairman on the following Committees and Boards: the Special Olympics, Americanism & Government and Buckeye Boys State. Carl was Commander 1st and 2nd Vice Commander and Assistant Sergeant at Arms, Department of Ohio American Legion.
Carl grew up in Columbus and has been a resident of Franklin County since birth. Carl works in the painting business and has served on the Veterans Service Commission since 2005. His term will expire in 2015.