Shop & Eat

Museum Store

Looking for a unique gift or keepsake? The Carillon Historical Park Museum Store offers a variety of quality products at a wide range of prices. Choose from books, historical toys, ornaments, sterling silver jewelry and more. The Museum Store carries products that commemorate the history of Dayton, the Wright brothers, Ohio and The history of transportation. Whether you're a novice or looking to further your knowledge on these topics you will find books, many from notable authors such as Tom Crouch, Fred Fisk and Mary Ann Johnson, along with DVD's that have been shown on the History Channel and PBS.

Are you planning an event or trip? Let us help you! We offer specialized gift bags customized to your requests and price range. The most popular gift bag includes items from Esther Price, Mike Sells, Dayton Nut and our own 1930s Print Shop. A gem of items collected from Dayton, Ohio. We also have multiple items designed to pack well for gift giving on your next trip.  Whether you want to treat your hosts or business associates we've got just what you need. Come in and see all the Museum Store has to offer! (Members receive a 10% discount on purchases above $10.00.)

 

 

Culp’s Café

A Taste of Dayton History
In 1902, Charlotte Gilbert Culp, a young widow with six children, began baking and selling bread, cakes and rolls by having her children go door to door in their West Third Street neighborhood. Soon they had a stand at the South Main Street market with the “Culp’s Cake” being a best seller. Her eldest son, Howard Gilbert Culp, leased space in the Arcade, and expanded the business selling poultry, eggs, cheese, and dill pickles at three lunch counters where downtown workers could purchase a complete lunch for 35 cents!

In the 1930s, the Culps opened a cafeteria in the Arcade across from Keith Theater. The cafeteria specialized in home-cooked food and was famous for its pies and pastries. Dayton’s population boomed in the 1940s and Culp’s cafeteria served as many as 5,000 customers a day. Culp’s was the first restaurant in Dayton to have air conditioning and the first electric Hammond organ in the area.  As the downtown area changed due to the development of suburbs and the popularity of television, the Culp family reluctantly sold the business in 1960. The spirit of this family-operated restaurant lives on here at Carillon Historical Park with Chef José Calzada managing Culp’s Café 7 days a week, offering a typical menu of the 1940s.

Hours: Open daily, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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Culp's Café is available for private events.

For more information, please call (937) 299-2277