Everyone knows the words to the popular song “Jingle Bells.” It tells the story of how exciting it can be to go sleighing in the countryside, free from responsibility in the winter wonderland. But have you ever seen a real one-horse open sleigh?

If you visit the Riley House, you can see an authentic one-horse open sleigh during the month of December. The sleigh, once owned by local Carl Andrews, is being temporarily displayed on the front porch of the Riley House. This sleigh is hand painted and has been in deep storage for the past decade.

When it was first donated, the sleigh was accompanied by a horsehair blanket which is also on display at the Riley House. This blanket is made from the tanned hide of a horse and would have been very effective at keeping the riders in the sleigh dry and warm, shielding them from the flying snow. It is on display in the front parlor of the Riley House.

If you would like to see the one-horse open sleigh, please stop by the Mercer County Historical Society, housed within the Riley House. It is located at 130 E. Market St. in Celina, Ohio. We are open Monday and Friday from 9-5. Admission is free.