BUILT FOR SPEED … Woody’s Boathouse & Museum houses a hand-built speedboat named Go Ballistic.
PHOTOS BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NAUTICAL PASSION … Dennis and Sherianne Stacy stand outside Woody’s Boathouse & Museum in Archbold, Ohio, where their passion for nautical history and community storytelling has created a one-of-a-kind destination.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
You don’t have to live along the shoreline to celebrate life on the water – just ask Dennis and Sherianne Stacy.
Tucked into the Village of Archbold, far from any Great Lake horizon, Woody’s Boathouse & Museum has become a one-of-a-kind destination that blends maritime history, craftsmanship, and hometown pride into a charming experience.
The museum is the Stacys’ way of giving back to a community they’ve long loved. Dennis taught math and science in Archbold, and Sherianne taught third grade there as well.
While some question why a boathouse would land in a landlocked town, the answer is simple: the stories behind the collection matter more than the shoreline.
That is exactly what the couple has spent their life doing – assembling an extensive collection of antiques, many steeped in history.
The former teachers’ love for education shines through their guided tour, as they share captivating details about every piece that could catch your eye.
Woody’s traces its roots to a nautical gift shop that the Stacys operated in Port Clinton until 2021. That same year, they purchased property in Archbold and built the current museum, opening its doors officially in the summer of 2022.
The site continues to grow, with a new outdoor pavilion being built right next door.
At the heart of the museum is its crown jewel – the sleek, all-mahogany speedboat Go Ballistic. The boat was built entirely by hand in Toledo by Sherianne’s father, Howard A. Schneider. Measuring thirty feet long, the project took three years to complete.
Beyond the boat, Woody’s Boathouse & Museum features a wide variety of nautical antiques, collectibles, and local memorabilia, including items connected to Archbold’s history and the Stacys’ personal years in education.
The name itself carries multiple meanings, nodding to classic wooden “woodie” boats, the couple’s dog Woody, and legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes. An in-depth collection of Woody Hayes memorabilia is featured prominently throughout the tour.
Visitors can tour the museum year-round, with tours offered free of charge. Most visits last about 45 to 60 minutes, giving guests plenty of time to explore displays, ask questions, and take in the stories behind the collection.
It may be unexpected to find a nautical museum in small-town Archbold, but that’s part of the charm. Woody’s Boathouse & Museum proves you don’t need a lake view to enjoy craftsmanship, history, and the pull of the water – just a good story and a place willing to share.
