IN THIS ISSUE Featured
Welcome to the 5th edition OF OHIO HISTORY CONNECTION’S
What image comes to mind when you think about learning history?
Are you back in fourth grade, reading from a textbook about the Underground Railroad or trying to remember the dates of the American Revolution? Or are you out on the road and out of the classroom, exploring every corner of the Buckeye State?
I recommend learning history by experiencing it. Visit the John Rankin House to see how they helped freedom seekers navigate the Underground Railroad after they crossed the Ohio River. Explore Fort Meigs and learn how Americans prepared for battle during the War of 1812. Follow Neil Armstrong’s steps on the Moon at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.
There’s so much history to learn right here in Ohio!
I have to give credit to the people who first thought of the idea of the field trip. It’s a brilliant way to learn about history and have fun doing it. But you don’t have to be a student to take one—plan your own history adventure!
Whether you’re a member (and we hope you are!) or not, this guide highlights some of the best historical attractions our site system has to offer, as well as tips and recommendations to plan your own history road trip.
Enjoy your drive. Learn something new. And have fun!
Wood, Executive Director & CEO
Megan
Road Trıppin’ thru HISTORY
Let’s go for a drive!
Americans, without a doubt, love their road trips.
Some like to check off their bucket list on a budget. Others like to come and go as they please without having to worry about having more than 3.4 oz liquids in their luggage. Regardless of your why, a road trip is sure to bring a lot of memories. One might say it’s a rite of passage. While you might be planning a trip out west to Yellowstone National Park or mapping out your drive along Route 66, consider exploring right here in Ohio.
Our ROAD TRIP TIPS!
It might be tempting to input your destination in the GPS and hit the road, but before you do, consider these road trip tips:
VEHICLE CHECK
It’s never fun being in the car stuck on the side of the highway because you have a flat tire or some other issue. Make sure you or someone does a car inspection. Check tires, brakes, fluids, lights and more. Be sure you have emergency contact information as well in case something does go wrong, and you need to make a call. This includes car rentals! It never hurts to know what the rental company’s policy is. Even springing for optional rental car insurance can save you a big headache in the long run.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
Ohio has a great signage to let you know cool destinations that are right off the highway. However, nothing is more of a bummer than getting there and finding out it’s not open. Be sure to double-check the hours for any attractions or stops you want to make. For Ohio History Connection sites, you can review hours at ohiohistory.org/visit. Nobody has fun when they’re hangry. Be sure to bring snacks to get you to your next meal. And don’t forget about lunch! In smaller towns, you may have a cool, local diner, but it’s not open on Mondays or closes at 2 p.m. Planning ahead could mean the difference between trying the local specialties and waiting in the drive-thru line.
THE HEART OF IT ALL
Ohio isn’t called The Heart of it All for no reason. We’ve got no shortage of outdoor adventures, shopping trips, amusement parks—even a world heritage site (see page 35). Ohio has no small place in history as well, both for the state and country. From air & space to the Civil & Revolutionary Wars, there’s something for everyone. Ohio is a great destination for a family road trip where you can learn something new and not break the bank.
BRING CASH
Some local attractions or eateries only take cash. Don’t miss out on the fun because you only have card. Be sure to bring a couple of different bills so you can be prepared for anything.
SAVE YOUR ROUTE
Especially if you’re going in the off season. Ohio is known for its road construction so it’s good to have a backup route in case of an accident or heavy traffic. Going into rural areas may mean spotty Wi-Fi. Download your route or bring a map and do it just like your family used to on their trips!
DON’T FORGET THE ENTERTAINMENT
Some of the coolest destinations are several hours or even days drive! While it’s worth it when you get there, if you don’t plan, the journey can be a nightmare. Bring along audiobooks from your local library or download podcasts that you can listen to at any time. Have smaller kids? Bring along their favorite toys or music from their favorite shows. Don’t forget to play those classic road trip games like trying to spot as many different license plates as possible or finding words on signs, billboards or license plates that start with each letter of the alphabet in order.
ENJOY THE DRIVE
It’s easy to get flustered or frustrated when something doesn’t go exactly as planned. Rain happens. Construction causes delays or road closures. The important thing is to appreciate the drive. Don’t let one mishap ruin your trip. Have a plan, but don’t be afraid to add a little spontaneity. Stop at a scenic overlook or take a detour and check out that roadside attraction.
Choose Your Own Adventure Ohio-Style!
If you’re looking for road trip ideas around our sites, be sure to check out our blog series, Road Trippin’ with Truda, where our membership manager gives you the best tips and tricks for making the most out of your visit to our sites, how much time to spend, where to eat and more!
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE.
Where can you go to immerse yourself in the daily rhythms of early American pioneers, explore Charles Ephraim Burchfield’s boyhood home—"the most important house in American art history"—and see iconic artifacts from the past like Neil Armstrong’s Gemini and Apollo spacesuits?
Adventurous Ohioans know the answer is right outside your front door! Ohio has so much to offer –and for those of you eager to hit the road and explore the “heart of it all”, a new initiative called Ohio’s Trails & Tales provides a special “choose your own adventure”-style road trip experience that aims to inspire and entertain travelers of all ages.
Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or a multi-day trip excursion, Ohio’s Trails & Tales can be customized to your interests and will leave you with a greater understanding and appreciation for the stories, service and sacrifices of Ohioans throughout history.
SIX NEW STATEWIDE TOURISM TRAILS…
Ohio’s Trails & Tales is a signature program of America 250-Ohio, the official state commission responsible for planning Ohio’s commemorations of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
“The big idea behind Trails and Tales is to tell Ohio’s story. We want to elevate our state’s significant contributions, as well as its lesser-known stories, and showcase its importance in shaping the nation we are today,” said Doug Preisse, America 250-Ohio Commission Co-Chair.
This will be accomplished through a series of six thematic, statewide tourism trails which started rolling out in 2024 and will continue throughout 2026. Each trail links venues of historical and cultural significance across the state around themes where Ohio has been a major player: aviation and aerospace, creativity, waterways, innovation, transportation and leadership.
More than just “dots on a map,” the trails are carefully curated around inspirational stories of real people.
At each site, travelers will learn a personal story of a trailblazer from history and enjoy an engaging experience that relates to the story and highlights Ohio’s impact on the world. Each trail will come complete with a road trip playlist, suggested tour routes, tools to help you customize your own driving adventure, complementary resources like activity guides and podcast suggestions and a mobile app that will allow you to hear a short personal story from an Ohio history trailblazer as you approach your site destination.
3, 2, 1…TAKE-OFF ON THE OHIO AIR & SPACE TRAIL!
The Ohio Air & Space Trail was the first trail in the series to launch in May 2024, with over 30 sites celebrating Ohio people and places that changed the world through contributions to aviation and space exploration.
An exciting array of experiences awaits the Air & Space Trail adventurer! The trail includes well-known sites, such as the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton and the International Women’s Air & Space Museum in Cleveland, as well as hidden gems like the Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia, which displays and restores WWII-era planes to airworthy conditions, and the Aviation Trail Parachute Museum, which highlights the development of the freefall parachute and shares how many of the parachute’s life-saving innovations occurred in Ohio.
Visitors can even buy airtime (weather permitting) in a historic open cockpit biplane at the WACO Field and Air Museum in Troy, Ohio. This 100acre site—which includes an airstrip, museum, library and hangar housing historic planes and a flight simulator— tells the story of the now-defunct WACO Aircraft Co, which was the nation’s largest manufacturer of civil aircraft in the 1920s and 1930s.
“From the Wright brothers soaring the skies over Dayton to Wapakoneta’s Neil Armstrong walking the surface of the moon, it is impossible to tell the story of air and space travel without Ohio,” said Mackensie Wittmer, Executive Director of the National Aviation Heritage Area and America 250-Ohio Commission Member.
“The Ohio Air and Space Trail is a fun and informative way to experience the birthplaces, landmarks, museums and other locations where Ohioans made historic accomplishments and contributions to aviation and space exploration that changed the world.”
Planning your
Ohio Trails & Tales adventure is easy.
Visit america250-ohio.org/ trails-and-tales to view a map of all participating Air & Space sites with a sidebar highlighting each site’s noteworthy experiences. The site map can be filtered according to sub-themes and storylines of interest and can be further filtered according to distance if you want to explore a certain region of the state.
OHIO CREATIVITY TRAIL OFFERS SIX
TRAILS IN ONE!
In February 2025, America 250-Ohio announced the Ohio Creativity Trail, which features over 100 inspiring sites across the state. The trail is divided into six distinct artistic genres or themes—Literature, Music, Visual Arts, Glass & Pottery, Folk & Traditional Arts and Carousel Art—which make for six creativity trails in one! As with the Air & Space Trail, the Creativity Trail sites can be sorted by genre and location.
“A lot of people don’t associate Ohio with creativity, but Ohioans have made so many cultural achievements and their stories need to be told,” said Todd Kleismit, executive director of America 250-Ohio. “People will feel proud to be an Ohioan when they travel the trail and learn that Ohio is one of the states with the largest collection of carousels, or that Ohio is home to BeauVerre Riordan Studios, the oldest continuously operating stained glass studio in the United States.”
The Ohio Creativity Trail also offers scores of hands-on experiences and guided tours. For example, spend an afternoon with the family at the Toledo County Public Library, which holds the largest public collection of Nancy Drew memorabilia and books in the United States, and try your hand at the 16-foot Mystery Wall. Or take a step back in time at Sauder Village, Ohio’s largest historic village, and marvel at working artisans and their hand-crafted creations.
More Adventures Coming Your Way Soon
The adventures don’t end with Air & Space and Creativity.
Launching this summer is the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail, which explores the importance that Ohio’s Lake Erie, the Ohio River and the canals that connect them and the impact they have had in shaping Ohio’s development, economy, culture and ideas. The Innovation Trail will be announced later this fall, and then the Ohio Transportation and Ohio Changemakers Trails will roll out in 2026.
So, what are you waiting for?
Your Ohio adventure awaits!
Customize your own driving trail at america250-ohio.org/ ohio-creativity-trail
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT AMERICA 250-OHIO AND OUR PLANS FOR 2026? Visit america250-ohio.org
Where Separatists Came Together HISTORIC ZOAR VILLAGE
Spend a day exploring the historic buildings and beautiful gardens of a former utopian settlement.
By Jill Sell
Tidy little bird’s nests decorate the doorways of buildings in Historic Zoar Village. The birds sense safety, even if many of the former residences, schools and businesses are now viewed by many enthusiastic tourists. The 200 Zoarites who formed the utopian settlement were pacifists and German Separatists who made Tuscarawas County their communal home from 1817 to 1898.
These families did not originally intend to establish a communal society, where all things were shared, including work, shelter and food. But banding together made sense to the struggling Zoarites, who valued moderation, women’s rights, anti-slavery and, for eight years, celibacy.
According to local historian and tour guide Craig Stambaugh, Zoarites also prized cleanliness, even scrubbing tree trunks.
Today, the buildings in Zoar Village are owned and managed by the Ohio History Connection, the Zoar Community Association and private residents, including about 75 families.
“It’s one thing to have a historical building. But it’s pretty amazing to have an entire village of historic homes. It’s very genuine here,” says Historic Site Manager Tammi Mackey Shrum, noting that the village is a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. “Zoar is also one of the longest lasting communal settlements in the United States.”
HIDDEN HISTORY
Life in the village, formed by the Society of Separatists of Zoar, was both idyllic and filled with hard work. Leader and minister Joseph Bimeler is credited for steering his community, once totaling 7,000 acres, into prosperity. Bimeler’s original, modest log cabin still stands and can be viewed from the outside. But to engage more with the environment, look for the beautiful two-and-a-half story red brick and sandstone Number One House, built in 1835 as a home for the elderly. It was
given to Bimeler for his personal residence after older members of the village decided they would rather live in their own homes. And now it stands as a museum full of Zoar Village artifacts, including tools, cooking utensils and historic documents.
Zoarites rose early and worked long hours six days a week in specialty fields. Some made metal cups or bread pans in the Tin Shop. Bakery workers added dried hops to dough to help in the rising process and kneaded round loaves of bread to feed the entire village. The blacksmith hand-forged rakes, shovels and nails, while seamstresses created linens and clothing around a long table in The Sewing House (these women often worked with the same one-printsuits-all dress fabric). Shepherds tended sheep, as mutton stew was a frequent meal. Women also toiled in the laundry, a structure with only two walls so clothes could be hung and exposed to the air and sun to dry.
Children age three and over were given chores and lived in boys’ and girls’ dormitories, enabling parents to work all day. Family members mostly interacted only on weekends, but the dormitories were discontinued in 1845.
The beautiful brick Meeting House was built in 1853 with a cupola and bell said to be cast with silver dollars mixed with ore to give it a distinct sound. These days, the building is the Zoar United Church of Christ, welcoming all for service. The Zoar Hotel, built in 1833, was a favorite retreat for President William McKinley and visitors of every social level, and brought more wealth and outsiders to the village. While exterior renovation is now finished, it will still be a while before the interior is complete and ready to be viewed by the public.
“Zoar is still a stage where Ohio’s history is told,” says tour guide Craig Stambaugh, whose wife’s great-grandfather was a member of the communal society.
WHERE THE GRASS IS GREENER
Visitors to Zoar today are welcome to explore the mostly walkable village; just follow the red brick sidewalks (and please respect the private residences)! A fan favorite is the fenced Zoar Garden, one of the most serene public gardens in Ohio. It features well-tended flowers, vegetables and trees, including a large spruce tree reflecting the Zoarites' religious beliefs and honoring the garden’s original design. Take a peek at the original Garden House still on-site — it used to be where the Society’s gardener and his family called home. New in 2021, a garden shop has been opened in the home’s two-story attached greenhouse. You can purchase plants and other gift items here, or just explore the space and enjoy the greenery.
Beyond the Zoar Garden, this community has plenty of green spaces. Visitors may walk the tree-lined streets and view beautiful private gardens from the sidewalk. The village is also adjacent to woodlands and park areas, as well as the peaceful rolling hills of the Zoar Levee area. (Construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins this summer to eliminate potential flooding in Zoar.)
Can’t get enough greenery? Find more green spaces nearby, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath and the 20-mile Zoar Valley Trail, open to the public and owned by the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation. The Zoar Wetland Arboretum, with 30 acres of shallow marshland and 50 acres of wetlands, is maintained by the Earth Action Partners.
Zoar is still a stage where Ohio’s history is told.
ZOAR TODAY
Zoar’s communal society was abandoned after the influence of outsiders, a changing American economy and evolving transportation methods tested residents’ devotion and personal plans. When the society ended its formal arrangement, the land, businesses and buildings were distributed to remaining residents. But much of the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere was not lost and about 45 historic buildings have been saved in Zoar.
Self-guided tours are enjoyable and informative thanks to educational signage. But small-group tours offer the best way to really appreciate the lifestyle and culture of Zoar Village residents, especially since the guides will often wear eraappropriate clothing to help set the scene. Your guide will point out the community’s architectural gems and easy-to-overlook building elements, such as tiny windows at the top of a two-story building that served as entries to a pigeon roost.
Tickets for tours conducted by guides are available at the Zoar Store and Visitor’s Center at 198 Main Street. Since its construction in 1833, the structure has always been a retail space of some kind; today it houses a gift shop with items like beeswax candles, local history books and apple butter. Be sure to stop for blackberry scones, vegetable dill sandwiches, stuffed pepper soup and other made-from-scratch goodies at the Tin Shop Coffee House, located in the center of the village.
“You feel like you jumped back a couple centuries here. It’s really just amazing to walk around and feel the tranquility. Even if you aren’t a history buff, the buildings are beautiful and the garden is spectacular,” says Historic Site Manager Tammi Mackey Shrum.
WANT TO PLAN YOUR VISIT TO ZOAR VILLAGE?
Continue Your Travels in Tuscarawas County
Zoar Village is just one of three Ohio History Connection sites that are in Tuscarawas County, making it an easy choice for your next road trip or staycation. The county itself has no shortage of things to do, places to eat and history to enjoy!
LOOKING BACK AT OHIO’S ROLE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Just four miles from Zoar Village in the nearby town of Bolivar is Fort Laurens, the only Revolutionary War fort in Ohio. The Fort’s position was constructed in 1778 under the orders of Lachlan McIntosh, an American commander sent to what was then the Ohio territory to defeat the British-allied Wyandot people and attack the British in Detroit. However, with winter approaching, McIntosh made the decision to construct the Fort and wait till spring to attack.
Completed in December 1778, the Fort was named for Henry Laurens, who was president of the Continental Congress at the time. Fort Laurens served three purposes: to act as a base to attack the British in Detroit, deter Native Americans allied with the British from conducting raids in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania and lastly, to provide protection to the neutral Delaware Indians and convince them to join the American cause.
Conditions were poor, even building the fort was difficult as there were not enough supplies including items such as hinges and nails. McIntosh took 1,000 soldiers back to Pennsylvania to avoid an uprising, leaving only 150 men to guard the fort. Word got out about the fort’s undermanned existence to the British.
After an initial attack was poorly defended in January 1779, British Captain Henry Bird felt confident enough to officially lay siege to Fort Laurens on February 22, 1779.
Upon hearing of the siege, McIntosh sent 120 militiamen to help defend against the almost 200 British allies. Upon their arrival they discovered the British already had the fort surrounded. The Americans believed they would be destroyed if they attempted to help the fort’s garrison, so they returned.
Conditions at Fort Laurens continued to deteriorate throughout February and March. The starving men became so desperate they boiled their moccasins to make stew. Outside the fort, the British and their allies were not faring much better, and the siege was lifted on March 20, 1779. Three days later, a relief force of 700 men from Pennsylvania arrived. Once the men who had survived the winter at Fort Laurens were able to travel, most of the Americans returned to Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania.
In the meantime, McIntosh informed General George Washington that Fort Laurens was too far to realistically serve as a staging ground for an attack on Detroit nor close enough to offer any protection to the Delaware. Washington ordered the fort abandoned and the last soldiers left on August 2, 1779.
In total 30 men lost their lives in association with Fort Laurens, 21 were interred in the fort cemetery. After the fort’s abandonment, the Continental Army had no presence in the area for the remainder of the war.
Fort Laurens
Schoenbrunn Village
Fort Laurens
FORT LAURENS TODAY
While the fort no longer stands today, visitors can walk the grounds and see the fort’s original outline. A small museum pays tribute to the “frontier soldier” through video and artifacts excavated onsite. Memorializing all unknown casualties of the Revolution, Fort Laurens’ Tomb of the Unknown Patriot is the final resting place of one of the fort’s soldiers who was unable to be identified.
The museum is open May through October. Combo tickets for both Fort Laurens and Zoar are offered at $15/Adult and $7/Child. While only active-duty veterans get into Fort Laurens for free, Ohio History Connection members get free admission to both sites.
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, a visit to Fort Laurens is a must for every Ohioan.
THE DELAWARE TIES TO OHIO
The Delaware were the only potential Native American allies to the United States during the Revolutionary War. The rest allied themselves to the British. Their connection to this land spans thousands of years. However, a unique connection to settlers goes back just a few years before Fort Laurens was built in 1778.
If you travel South from Fort Laurens down I-77, you’ll come across Schoenbrunn Village. In the years immediately before the American Revolution, the natural beauty and abundance of the land we now call Ohio drew idealists and Europeans hoping to find a place to call their own, independent of Europe’s monarchies.
David Zeisberger was a Moravian missionary who spent more than six decades living and working among the indigenous tribes in North America. He was able to learn new languages quickly, including those that belonged to Indigenous people like the Creek, Onandaga and Lenape (Delaware). He used his knowledge to negotiate peaceful alliances and wrote dictionaries in Lenape.
In the previous century, both the Lenape and the Moravians suffered violence, persecution and hardship. With continued persecution from other settlers and indigenous groups, a Moravian group comprised of both Delawares and Europeans left Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and established in a new home in 1772. Right along the Tuscarawas River, Schoenbrunn Village was created. The words Schoenbrunn mean “beautiful spring”. Together, these neighbors lived peacefully and created a community that would be self-sustaining and spiritual.
From 1772 through 1777, Schoenbrunn flourished with a merging of European and indigenous cultures, bound by Ohio’s first code of laws. When the Revolutionary War came to the Ohio frontier, the Moravians’ pacifist beliefs meant taking a neutral stance. This would cause problems with those who questioned the Moravians’ neutrality, leading to the entire village moving on April 19, 1777. They attempted to return to Schoenbrunn in 1779, but the French Army commanded the group to relocate to Captives Town on the Upper Sandusky River.
The land of Schoenbrunn Village was repurposed for farming and ultimately all indigenous tribes were removed from Ohio. The Delaware Tribe of Indians, Delaware Nation and the StockbridgeMunsee now live primarily in Oklahoma and Wisconsin.
VISITING SCHOENBRUNN VILLAGE
Today Schoenbrunn Village has been recreated with over 15 historically accurate log cabins, including all the elements to make a hearth and home. A museum also sits near the site with more information on the site and a fascinating trove of pre-Revolution household items that were used in daily tasks at Schoenbrunn. There’s plenty of trails for the family to walk around and picnic areas for you to bring your lunch.
Schoenbrunn Village is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Wednesday through Sunday. In September and October, the site is open weekends only. As an Ohio History Connection Site, members get free admission.
If you get an early enough start, you can explore both Fort Laurens and Schoenbrunn Village in one day. If you’d like to visit Zoar Village as well, we recommend doing a weekend trip to Tuscarawas County.
READY TO PLAN YOUR VISIT?
The local Tuscarawas Convention and Visitors Bureau has plenty of resources on local stays and eateries as well as sample itineraries for group visitors.
Schoenbrunn Village
Schoenbrunn Village
Fort Laurens
JOURNEY TO FREEDOM A Vital Stop on the
Relive one of the most moving eras in our country’s history.
Ohio played a key role in the Underground Railroad. Although slavery was illegal in the state, due to the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, slaves could still be apprehended. To truly avoid danger, they had to leave the United States. With its southern border along the slave states of Kentucky and Virginia and its proximity to Canada, Ohio was a vital route for those seeking freedom. The state had a larger network of secret routes and safe houses set up to assist enslaved people, several of which can be viewed today.
The John Rankin House Historic Site is one of the best-documented and most active Underground Railroad stations. Located on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River, his home was clearly visible from Kentucky and a stop for many on their journey to freedom.
Scan here to view the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail.
Road Trıppin’ thru HISTORY
WHO IS JOHN RANKIN?
John Rankin was a Presbyterian minister who devoted much of his life to the antislavery movement. He was born in Tennessee where he began his ministry. His antislavery views were not popular and local Presbyterian leaders warned Rankin that he shouldn’t repeat such views in the slave state of Tennessee. Not willing to abandon his abolitionist views, Rankin and his family moved to Kentucky where he preached for several years.
In 1822, due to personal danger and financial issues, Rankin and his wife Jean move their family across the river to Ripley in the free state of Ohio. Here he ministered for over 44 years at Ripley’s Presbyterian Church. In 1829, he built his house on Liberty Hill overlooking the river. There are 100 steps from the river to his house on the hill. Enslaved people used these stairs to escape from Kentucky and continue their journey. Now known as the Freedom Stairs, they’re still accessible to visitors to walk up today.
Growing up in the South, Rankin had seen firsthand the evils of slavery. When he learned his brother in Virginia had a acquired a slave, he began writing a series of letters to him that were eventually published in 1826 as Letters on American Slavery.
A few more years later, he founded the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society in Zanesville around 1834. For about forty years, from 1825 to 1865, the Rankins and their neighbors sheltered more than 2,000 enslaved people escaping to freedom, with as many as 12 escapees hidden on the Rankin farm at one time.
TODAY
In 1997, the John Rankin House Historic Site was named a National Historic Landmark, the highest federal designation awarded to a historic property. The house underwent a complete restoration in 2013 to restore it to look much as it did when the Rankins lived there.
You can tour the restored Rankin home and see one of the most beautiful views anywhere on the Ohio River. On a clear day, you can see several bends of the river from the front steps. Inside, the home contains much of the original woodwork, period furnishings and even the Rankins’ family Bible. Hear the Rankins’ experience in the house from site docents and stories of the courageous choices made by Ripley residents who helped the Rankins in their work.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
John Rankin wasn’t the only famous abolitionist in Ripley! While you’re in town, be sure to stop by the John Parker House. Also a National Historic Landmark, this home tells the story of John Parker, an African American inventor and abolitionist. He was born into slavery in 1827, but bought his freedom and eventually settled in Ripley by 1849. Parker would produce iron foundry work during the day and help slaves cross the Ohio River at night.
PLAN YOUR VISIT to the John Rankin Home & Ripley Ohio!
The Blast that Won a War
Located about an hour and a half south from Columbus and two hours east of Cincinnati, sits a hidden gem that helped Ohio and the Union win the American Civil War.
The Hanging Rock region is an area that covers parts of Kentucky and Ohio, including over 1,000 square miles of Southeast Ohio. This region was rich in natural resources needed to produce the iron that fueled early industrialization of America. A total of 72 charcoal iron furnaces were built in the region; the first in 1818. The last in operation was Jefferson Furnace in Oak Hill, Ohio, which closed on December 26, 1916.
A LEADER IN THE EARLY IRON INDUSTRY
Built in 1852, about 10 years before the Civil War, Buckeye Furnace is a 270acre site near the town of Wellston that includes the last fully restored and maintained iron-producing facility in Ohio. Iron was especially important when this site was built. It was a strong, affordable material used to build railroads, cannons and the earliest non-wooden battleships. The North was a leader in iron and other manufacturing, and historians believe this booming industry helped it win the Civil War.
CREATING “PIG IRON”
Refining iron ore into pig iron wasn’t easy. It was hard, dangerous work. The region’s ironworks were among the very best that did it with skill and dedication.
Blast furnaces like Buckeye Furnace would drain the molten product into troughs shaped like piglets suckling, hence the name “pig iron.” It took temperatures of at least 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and a blast of hot air to oxidize and smelt the ingredients together into impure, brittle pig iron. The product, at another location, would be refined further into usable household items like pots and pans or war items like cannons and belt buckles. It’s estimated that the furnace produced about 12 tons of pig iron each day.
Doing so was dangerous and dirty work. Workers wore little protective gear and there were no walls or barriers between workers and the open hearth. The heated air blasts into the molten metal were extremely dangerous. A few drops of water on the molten metal could result in an explosion. Furnace workers were always at risk of being burned, crushed, poisoned by gases or killed in explosions.
A TOWN BY THE SAME NAME
Most of the furnaces had a town associated with them. Here the furnace workers and their families lived. Buckeye, a town of 400-500 residents, was owned by the company and consisted of houses, a post office, church, school, cemetery, livery, company buildings and a company store. Homes measured 6x18 feet with a dirt floor, fireplace, loft for the children, kitchen area, bed, and a trundle bed. Some had a small, fenced yard for vegetables and maybe a milking animal. Workers were paid $10-20 per month in "script, which could only be spent in the company store. Buckeye was smoke-filled and treeless, but livable.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
While several iron furnaces remain, Buckeye’s reconstructed furnace is the only one that, except for a few trees that have grown since closing, is much as it was when it was operating. The site has two nature trails that visitors can take as well as a museum and gift shop that are in the original office and store. There are several artifacts to see from the mid-1800s and handmade items from local makers that are available for purchase.
If you happen to bring your lunch, the park located next to the parking lot has the perfect space for a picnic. There are picnic tables, grills for cooking and plenty of room for kids to play. The park and grounds are open daylight hours, but the museum and gift shop are open Friday-Sunday, May-October from Noon-4 p.m. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome.
BE SURE NOT TO MISS
If you’re in the area and looking for more outdoor activities, be sure to stop by Leo Petroglyphs & Nature Preserve. This nature preserve is a little less than 30 minutes northwest of Buckeye Furnace. It’s the perfect stop to get out and stretch your legs before heading home.
The hike is a nice 0.7-mile trail and takes about 30 minutes. On your walk, you’ll hike through a gorge along sandstone cliffs that are 20-65 feet high. Although short, the trail does have a variety of elevation changes, waterfalls, streams and more. Be sure to bring good shoes along. The real treasure is the 37 petroglyphs that are carved into a sandstone slab. Estimated to be as much as 1,000 years old, these carvings feature humans, birds, animal and human footprints, a fish, a snake and more. Located under the shelter house, these petroglyphs are the traces of some of the most remarkable rock art in Ohio.
The site is free and open to the public year-round. We recommend going in the spring and early summer to see the wildflowers in season.
The Presidential Trail
When you think of Ohio, you might think of buckeyes, rock and roll and an astronaut or two. Before the space race or the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio was well known as the Mother of Presidents. A total of eight presidents have come from Ohio, tying with Virgina for the most presidents from any state. Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding were all born right here in the heart of it all!
Discover why Ohio is called “The Mother of Presidents”
If you’re doing your math, you might have noticed that we’re short one. William Henry Harrison was technically born in Virgina but moved to Ohio. He became a congressman and a senator for the State before being elected to President. His home was in North Bend, Ohio where he is buried today (so we call dibs, Virginia!).
ALONG THE PRESIDENTIAL TRAIL
You’ll discover an array of historic presidential sites from Rutherford B. Hayes’ 31-room mansion to Grant’s boyhood home and school. Many of these sites are within a short drive from one another. Take your family and visit an Ohio rich in presidential legacy and learn about these Ohioans who helped shape America.
Visit these Presidential Sites
National First Ladies’ Library & Historic Site
331 Market Ave. South Canton, OH 44702
330.452.0876 • firstladies.org
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
8095 Mentor Ave. Mentor, OH 44060
440.255.8722 • nps.gov/jaga
Garfield Birthplace 4350 SOM Center Rd. Moreland Hills, OH 44022 Ohio Historical Marker only
Garfield Monument Lake View Cemetery 12316 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106 216.421.2665 • lakeviewcemetery.com
U.S. Grant Birthplace* 1551 State Route 232 Point Pleasant, OH 45153
800.283.8932 • ohiohistory.org/grantbirthplace
U.S. Grant Boyhood Home*
219 E. Grant Ave. Georgetown, OH 45121
877.372.8177 • ohiohistory.org/granthome
U.S. Grant Schoolhouse*
508 S. Water St.Georgetown, OH 45121
877.372.8177 • ohiohistory.org/grantschool
Harding Birthplace Highways 97 and 288 Blooming Grove, OH 44878 Ohio Historical Marker only
Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites* 380 Mount Vernon Ave. Marion, OH 43302
800.600.6894 • ohiohistory.org/harding
Warren G. Harding Memorial* Vernon Heights Blvd. at Delaware Ave. (State Route 423) Marion, OH 43302
800.600.6894 • ohiohistory.org/harding
Benjamin Harrison Birthplace Symmes and Washington Avenues North Bend, OH 45052
Ohio Historical Marker only—private residence
William Henry Harrison Tomb* Bower Rd. & Cliff Rd. North Bend, OH 45052
844.288.7709 • ohiohistory.org/harrison
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums* Spiegel Grove Fremont, OH 43420
800.998.7737 • ohiohistory.org/hayes
Lucy Hayes Heritage Center 90 W. Sixth St. Chillicothe, OH 45601
740.775.5829
William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum and McKinley Memorial 800 McKinley Monument Dr. N.W. Canton, OH 44708
330.455.7043 • mckinleymuseum.org
National McKinley Birthplace Memorial 40 N. Main St. Niles, OH 44446
McKinley Birthplace Museum: 330.652.4273 • mckinleybirthplacemyseum.org
McKinley Memorial Library: 330.652.4273 • mcklib.org
The McKinley Birthplace Home 40 S. Main St. Niles, OH 44446
330.652.1704 ext. 7217 mcklib.org/birthplacehome
National Museum of the United States Air Force Presidential Hangar 1100 Spaatz St. Dayton, OH 45433
937.255.3286 • nationalmuseum.af.mil
William Howard Taft National Historic Site 2038 Auburn Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45219
513.684.3262 • nps.gov/wiho
*Ohio History Connection Site. Members receive free admission!
Fort Recovery is the site of two important battles: The 1791 victory of nine Native Nations over General Arthur St. Clair’s forces (commonly referred to as “St. Clair’s Defeat”); and the 1794 victory of General Anthony Wayne’s army over a larger alliance of Native Nations.
The events at this battlefield were pivotal in the relationship between the Native people defending their homelands and invading American soldiers and settlers. The battles at this site set the stage for the 1795 Treaty of Greenville, after which Native Nations relinquished most of their land holdings in Ohio. They also set the course for the determination of land ownership in contemporary Ohio and the 1830 Indian Removal Act, forcibly removing American Indians from their homelands in Ohio.
Today, visitors can tour the excellent museum, follow a walking tour of the battlefield and see the monument that honors U.S. soldiers killed during the battles.
The museum consists of three floors. The first-floor features exhibits about the battles and their historical context. The second floor has some great interactive displays for kids and explores the precontact era of the area. The basement space includes a video, more kids’ activities and restrooms.
Maps of the walking tour are available both inside and outside the museum. The first stop is right outside the museum’s front door and leads visitors around a series of 15 wayside exhibits. I’m the first to admit that I’m directionally challenged, so I might have gotten lost had I been by myself on this trip. But luckily, my colleague Neil could have been an army scout in a past life. He happily led us through the walking tour, during which we saw a log cabin, the Fort Recovery Monument, the Pioneer Cemetery and much of the lovely Village of Fort Recovery.
I would highly recommend the walking tour. However, if you aren’t up for a walk, the museum is well worth visiting on its own. Be sure to explore the blockhouses, located right outside the museum.
HOW MUCH TIME
I’d budget about 45-60 minutes to explore the museum and another 60-90 minutes to do the walking tour around the town of Fort Recovery.
TRUDA’S TIPS
Fort Recovery Museum is cash or check-only. While you won’t need to pay for your admission since you have an Ohio History Connection membership, you’ll want to be sure to have some cash or your checkbook available to make purchases in the gift shop, which features books, toys and other souvenirs. There is an ATM next door.
KID FRIENDLY?
For elementary school aged kids and up. There are a lot of things at Fort Recovery that would appeal to kids. The grounds are perfect for running around. I know my kids would have had a ball running from sign to sign to learn about the history of the site. Inside the museum, the third floor has pump drills, a weaving activity and animal bones and deerskins that they can touch. Kids would also enjoy the blockhouses (open during normal hours) and reading the map during the walking tour.
LUNCH
The monument that honors U.S. soldiers killed during the battles in Fort Recovery is just one of the many sites you’ll see on the walking tour of the village.
You know lunch is a very important part of any road trip for me! There are lots of picnic tables available in the park behind the Fort Recovery Museum, so bringing your lunch is a great option. There are also some cute restaurants in the Village of Fort Recovery. If you’re interested in eating in town, I would ask the museum staff for recommendations.
Credit: Josh Zielinski Photography
THE FAMOUS
MAID-RITE SANDWICH!
We opted to drive about 30 minutes south to Greenville to eat at the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe. My brother-in-law had been telling me about Maid-Rite and their loose meat sandwiches for years, so I jumped at the chance to visit. I was not disappointed.
If you’re not familiar with the concept of a loose meat sandwich, think sloppy joe without the sauce. I ordered a Maid-Rite and a Cheese-Rite (which is just a MaidRite with cheese). The sandwich consists of browned ground beef, onions, pickles and mustard on a bun. I had expected it to be a little soggy or greasy, which it wasn’t at all. The toppings gave the sandwich a slightly sweet taste that I enjoyed. I would recommend that you order two to make a meal. I also ordered a chocolate milkshake, which was thick and delicious. Two of my coworkers ordered the same thing I did, and my colleague Emily had a strawberry shake, which she reported was yummy.
The restaurant itself has been a Greenville staple since 1934 and not much has changed about it. There’s indoor seating–both booths and counter seating–as well as a thriving drive-thru option. There’s plenty of parking on the north side of the building. Bathrooms are in the auxiliary building next door. I would highly recommend a visit to Maid-Rite, both for the food and the historic atmosphere. Greenville residents clearly love their Maid-Rite and I think you will too.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about Fort Recovery, you can visit ohiohistory.org/fortrecovery or fortrecoverymuseum.com
Be sure to note the days and hours of operation. Fort Recovery is open May through October.
WANT TO MAKE A DAY OF IT?
Fort Recovery is in Mercer County. Discover everything the area has to offer by visiting the Grand Lake Region website, seemore.com.
WANT TO READ MORE ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH TRUDA BLOGS? Scan the code below!
JUST A SHORT ROAD TRIP AWAY!
Discover Ohio’s Only UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Explore masterpieces of human creative genius right in your backyard.
The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, comprised of eight earthworks across five locations, make up the United States’ 25th World Heritage listing and the first in the state of Ohio. They’re complex masterpieces of landscape architecture built by Native Americans between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago. The huge squares, circles and octagons, which are geometrically precise, align perfectly with the cycles of the sun and moon. Standing among these vast works, you can feel a connection to something greater than yourself.
Ohio History Connection members enjoy FREE
to Fort Recovery and the rest of the historic sites and museums in our network.
Visit ohiohistory.org/join for more details!
The National Park Service’s Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe is an hour south of Columbus and includes the Mound City Group, Hopewell Mound Group, Seip Earthworks, High Bank Works and Hopeton Earthworks. The Ohio History Connection’s Great Circle Earthworks and Octagon Earthworks are less than an hour east of Columbus, while Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve is a little over an hour drive south towards Cincinnati.
Plan your trip at hopewellearthworks.org
The ancient wisdom written in the land more than 2,000 years ago by American Indians is a gift, and it’s one that’s accessible to all.
Discover Ohio’s Past in the great outdoors
At the Ohio History Connection, we manage over 50 historic sites around the state, including museums, mansions, battlefields… and outdoor natural history sites!
Put on your walking shoes and get ready to explore some unique natural areas that offer a glimpse of the rich flora and fauna of the Buckeye state. Keep reading to get the details and learn why you should add these outdoor adventures to your family’s road trip plans.
Know Before You Go!
• Prepare for the weather! These sites are primarily or entirely based outdoors, so make sure you and your family have proper clothing for protection from the sun, wind, rain or snow. Wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle, even in the winter.
• The plants, animals and fungi that call nature preserves home are protected by law. When you see something like a rare plant or a unique insect, observe it and even snap a photo, but don’t touch, frighten or remove it. If you have a question about something you see on a hike, ask a staff member!
• Follow all site rules. Stay on the designated trails or boardwalks and be respectful to your surroundings and staff members. No pets are allowed at these sites.
• If you’re an Ohio History Connection member, you can visit all of the following sites for free! Membership may also qualify you for free or reduced program fees. Learn more at ohiohistory.org/membership.
WAHKEENA NATURE PRESERVE
South of Lancaster and just off of Route 33 is Wahkeena Nature Preserve. This 150acre site provides the perfect landscape for families and nature enthusiasts alike to enjoy a day of fun and learning. With a focus on education, the preserve features a nature center showcasing natural history displays, self-guided interpretive trails and seasonal programming.
Wahkeena is full of plant and animal life, with over 100 species of birds, hundreds of insect species including dragonflies, butterflies, bees and moths and over 30 mammal, reptile and amphibian species. Ferns, native orchids and wildflowers flourish throughout the seasons as well. The knowledgeable staff host various hikes throughout the year, pointing out the diverse plant and animal species that inhabit Wahkeena. Check out our events calendar to view upcoming programs, however you don’t need one to visit! The naturalists on staff are happy to answer questions during your visit.
Wahkeena Nature Preserve’s normal operating hours are Wed–Sun, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The site is annually open from mid-March through mid-November.
CEDAR BOG
Cedar Bog Nature Preserve lies in the heart of Champaign County, about one hour west from Columbus. Its namesake comes from the northern white cedar tree, one of the many species that flourishes in the preserve. Another fun fact about the site’s name: Cedar Bog isn’t actually a bog; it’s a fen that was previously misnamed! In a bog, water accumulates, but in a fen, water flows through. Cedar Bog also has an ADA accessible boardwalk trail that loops around 1.2 miles of the site and takes you through various habitats, including a rare sedge meadow and a hardwood swamp. What makes Cedar Bog different from another park or preserve? Its biodiversity is one-of-a-kind. Cedar Bog ranks the highest of any site in the state on the Ohio Floristic Diversity Index for its great variety of plants. Keep your eyes peeled for rare wildflowers that bloom at different times of the year including the unique skunk cabbage, large-flowered trillium (our state wildflower!) and a photographer favorite, showy lady’s slippers.
Cedar Bog also hosts a full calendar of programs each year, typically focusing on a specific natural feature or inhabitant of the bog—anything from dragonflies and moths to orchids and minerals. The site’s regular hours are Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The boardwalk and prairie trail are accessible during posted hours, except during severe weather. Please note that restrooms are not available unless the Nature Center is open. Site admission applies for adults ($5) and children ages 6–12 ($4). Ohio History Connection members enjoy free admission.
FLINT RIDGE ANCIENT QUARRIES & NATURE PRESERVE
At Flint Ridge Ancient Quarries & Nature Preserve located in Licking County, you can explore a 533-acre preserve and see ancient pits left by Native Americans who came from the surrounding area to quarry flint. Did you know that flint is Ohio’s official state gemstone?
Onsite, there’s a small museum with exhibits you can explore to learn more about the history of Flint Ridge, as well as the importance of flint in native cultures that were once present in Ohio. There are often hands-on activities available for kids to participate in at the museum, like flint knapping. When you hike the trails (there are four in total), make sure to keep a lookout for the quarry pits! Staff and volunteers are available on Fridays and Saturdays for guided tours of the Quarry Trail at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Trail tour reservations are recommended but not required.
The preserve is open year-round, Monday–Sunday during daylight hours. A picnic area with tables, grills, drinking water and restrooms is available for visitors. The museum is open seasonally May through October, Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Site admission applies for adults ($7) and children 5 & up ($5). Ohio History Connection members enjoy free admission.
DAVIS MEMORIAL NATURE PRESERVE
Visit Davis Memorial Nature Preserve in Peebles, Ohio, where both natural history and geology enthusiasts can hike the trails and marvel at an exceptional geologic fault that vertically displaced the earth 30 feet, exposing cliffs formed of bedrock that are over 400 million years old. The entire preserve covers a vast 88 acres, featuring a cave, an array of plant life, spring wildflowers and spectacular fall colors.
Davis Memorial Nature Preserve has two miles of hiking trails and is open daylight hours year-round. There is no admission fee for this site, and please note that there are no restrooms available for use.
WANT TO SEE MORE OUTDOOR SITES?
Visit ohiohistory.org/visit or scan below to find a History Connection site near you!
Flint Ridge
LET’S GO ON AN
Ohio History Adventure!
We created the Ohio History Passport to help guide you through amazing journeys and encounters across Ohio as you explore our historic sites and museums. Within the Passport, you’ll find helpful information and a trivia question about each Ohio History Connection site.
DON’T HAVE A PASSPORT YET?
If you’re an Ohio History Connection member, contact the Membership Department at 800.686.1545 or membership@ohiohistory.org to get your free Passport (one free per membership).
NOT A MEMBER?
You can purchase a Passport in our online store at ohiohistorystore.com Or consider becoming a member. Members enjoy free general admission to our more than 50 historic sites and museums across the state. For more information about membership, visit ohiohistory.org/join or call 800.686.1545.
We’ve made the Passport even more fun with rewards for completing each region!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
• Get a stamp or rubbing from all the sites in a region: Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast or Southwest.
• Take your Passport to one of the following Passport Checkpoint Sites for verification. Be sure to check the operating days and times before heading to a site.
Central: Ohio History Center
Northeast: Schoenbrunn Village
Northwest: Armstrong Air & Space Museum
Southeast: Campus Martius Museum
Southwest: Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve
Please note: You can verify any region at any of our Passport Checkpoint Sites. For example, if you complete the Southeast region, you can take your passport to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum for verification.
The Membership Department will send you a regional pin. Visit every site in our Passport to collect all five pins!
Please note that depending on when you got your Passport, there may be a few different pages that reflect small changes in our site system. Please check ohiohistory.org/sites for the most up to date list of the historic sites and museums that are part of our site network. Passport validators are aware of the differences and will validate sympathetically in these situations.
Museum/Visitor Center Mounds/EarthworksMonument/Gravesite Natura l Area/Tra i ls (m i les) G i ft Shop Picnicking (*she lter) Restrooms Averag e Visit Historic Bu i lding s Open to Pub lic
ARMSTRONG AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
500 Apollo Dr., Wapakoneta 45895
800.860.0142 • ohiohistory.org/armstrong
CEDAR BOG NATURE PRESERVE
980 Woodburn Rd. (Off U.S. 68), Urbana 43078
800.860.0147 • ohiohistory.org/cedarbog
FALLEN TIMBERS BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL PARK
5601 Anthony Wayne Trail, Maumee 43537
800.860.0149 • ohiohistory.org/fallentimbers
FORT AMANDA MEMORIAL PARK
St Rte 198, Wapakoneta 45608 844.306.3360 • ohiohistory.org/fortamanda
FORT JEFFERSON MEMORIAL PARK
3981 Weavers-Fort Jefferson Rd., Greenville 45331 844.288.7708• ohiohistory.org/fortjefferson
FORT MEIGS
29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg 43551
800.283.8916 • ohiohistory.org/fortmeigs
FORT RECOVERY MUSEUM & MONUMENT
1 Fort Site St., Fort Recovery 45846 800.283.8920 • ohiohistory.org/fortrecovery
HAYES PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUMS
Spiegel Grove, Fremont 43420 800.998.7737 • ohiohistory.org/hayes
INDIAN MILL
7417 County Hwy 47, Upper Sandusky 43351 800.600.7147 • ohiohistory.org/indianmill
INSCRIPTION ROCK PETROGLYPHS
Kelleys Island, Port Clinton 43452
866.921.5710 • ohiohistory.org/inscriptionrock
JOHNSTON FARM & INDIAN AGENCY
9845 N. Hardin Rd., Piqua 45356
800.752.2619 • ohiohistory.org/johnston
LOCKINGTON LOCKS
Museum Trail & Cross Trail, Lockington 45356 800.752.2619 • ohiohistory.org/lockington 5 locks 30 mins.
NORTHEAST CENTRAL
CUSTER MONUMENT
St Rte 646 & Chrisman Rd., New Rumley 43986 866.473.0417 • ohiohistory.org/custer
FORT LAURENS
11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW (CR 102), Bolivar 44612
800.283.8914 • ohiohistory.org/fortlaurens
M c COOK HOUSE
15 S. Lisbon St., Carrollton 44615
800.600.7172 • ohiohistory.org/mccook
MUSEUM OF CERAMICS
400 E. 5th St., East Liverpool 43920 800.600.7180 • ohiohistory.org/ceramics
QUAKER YEARLY MEETING HOUSE
298 Market St., Mount Pleasant 43939 800.752.2631 • ohiohistory.org/quaker
1984 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia 44663 800.752.2711 • ohiohistory.org/schoenbrunn
16740 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights 44120 800.860.6078 • ohiohistory.org/shaker
TALLMADGE CHURCH
115 Tallmadge Cir., Tallmadge 44278 844.288.7710 • ohiohistory.org/tallmadge
YOUNGSTOWN HISTORICAL CENTER OF INDUSTRY &
151 W. Wood St., Youngstown 44501
800.262.6137 • ohiohistory.org/youngstown
198 Main St., Zoar 44697 800.262.6195 • ohiohistory.org/zoar
FLINT RIDGE ANCIENT QUARRIES & NATURE PRESERVE
15300 Flint Ridge Rd., Glenford 43739
800.283.8707 • ohiohistory.org/flintridge
GREAT CIRCLE EARTHWORKS
455 Hebron Rd., Heath 43056
800.589.8224 • ohiohistory.org/newark
HANBY HOUSE
160 W. Main St., Westerville 43081
800.600.6843 • ohiohistory.org/hanby
LOGAN ELM
4500 St Rte 361, Circleville 43113
888.770.7425 • ohiohistory.org/loganelm
OCTAGON EARTHWORKS
125 N. 33rd St., Newark, OH 43055 800.589.8224 • ohiohistory.org/newark
OHIO HISTORY CENTER & OHIO VILLAGE
800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus 43211
800.686.6124 • ohiohistory.org/center ohiohistory.org/ohiovillage
SHRUM MOUND
3141 McKinley Ave., Columbus 43204 800.840.6127 • ohiohistory.org/shrum
WAHKEENA NATURE PRESERVE
2200 Pump Station Rd., Sugar Grove 43155 800.297.1883 • ohiohistory.org/wahkeena
WARREN G. HARDING PRESIDENTIAL SITES
Home: 380 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Memorial: Vernon Heights Blvd. at Delaware Ave. Marion 43302 • 800.600.6894 ohiohistory.org/harding
WRIGHT EARTHWORKS
James Street, Newark, OH 43055 800.589.8224 • ohiohistory.org/newark
SOUTHWEST SOUTHEAST
Museum/Visitor Center Mounds/EarthworksMonument/Gravesite Natura l Area/Tra i ls (m i les) G i ft Shop Picnicking (*she lter) Restrooms Averag e Visit Historic Bu i lding s Open to Pub lic
ADENA MANSION & GARDENS
847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe 45601 800.319.7248 • ohiohistory.org/adena
DAVIS MEMORIAL NATURE PRESERVE
2715 Davis Memorial Rd., Peebles 45660
866.749.0701 • ohiohistory.org/davis
FORT ANCIENT EARTHWORKS & NATURE PRESERVE
6123 State Route 350, Oregonia 45054
800.283.8904 • ohiohistory.org/fortancient
FORT HILL EARTHWORKS & NATURE PRESERVE* 13614 Fort Hill Rd., Hillsboro 45133
800.283.8905 • ohiohistory.org/forthill
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE
2950 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati 45206
800.847.6507 • ohiohistory.org/stowe
JOHN RANKIN HOUSE
6152 Rankin Hill Rd., Ripley 45167
800.752.2705 • ohiohistory.org/rankin
MIAMISBURG MOUND
900 Mound Rd., Miamisburg 45342
866.580.6508 • ohiohistory.org/miamisburgmound
NATIONAL AFRO-AMERICAN MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER
1350 Brush Row Rd., Wilberforce 45384
800.752.2603 • ohiohistory.org/naamcc
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR HOUSE
219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St., Dayton 45402 800.860.0148 • ohiohistory.org/dunbar
SERPENT MOUND
3850 State Route 73, Peebles 45660 800.752.2757 • ohiohistory.org/serpentmound
STORY MOUND
Delano St., Chillicothe 45601
800.319.7248 • ohiohistory.org/serpentmound
U.S. GRANT BIRTHPLACE
1551 State Route 232, Point Pleasant 45153 800.283.8932 • ohiohistory.org/grantbirthplace
U.S. GRANT BOYHOOD HOME & SCHOOLHOUSE
Home: 219 E. Grant Ave., Georgetown 45121 Schoolhouse: 508 S. Water St., Georgetown 45121
877.372.8177 • ohiohistory.org/grantschool
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TOMB Brower Rd. & Cliff Rd., North Bend 45052
844.288.7709 • ohiohistory.org/harrison
BIG BOTTOM MEMORIAL PARK
2741 State Route 266, Stockport 43787 800.860.0143 • ohiohistory.org/bigbottom
BUCKEYE FURNACE
123 Buckeye Park Rd., Wellston 45692
800.860.0144 • ohiohistory.org/buckeyefurnace
BUFFINGTON ISLAND BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL PARK
56890 Ohio River Scenic Byway, Portland 45770
866.363.2652 • ohiohistory.org/buffingtonisland
CAMPUS MARTIUS MUSEUM
601 Second St., Marietta 45750
800.860.0145
• ohiohistory.org/campusmartius
JOHN & ANNIE GLENN MUSEUM
72 W. Main St., New Concord 43762
740.826.3305 • ohiohistory.org/glennmuseum
LEO PETROGLYPHS & NATURE PRESERVE
400 Park Rd., Ray 45672
800.860.0144 • ohiohistory.org/leopetroglyph
NATIONAL ROAD & ZANE GREY MUSEUM
8850 East Pike, Norwich 43767
800.752.2602 • ohiohistory.org/zanegrey
OHIO RIVER MUSEUM***
601 Front St., Marietta 45750
800.860.0145 • ohiohistory.org/ohioriver
OUR HOUSE TAVERN
432 First Ave., Gallipolis 45631
800.752.2618 • ohiohistory.org/ourhouse
MEMBER BENEFITS
FREE general admission to our 50+ sites for two named adults, all children 18 and under in the household and two guests.
FREE Signature Event tickets for everyone covered by your membership!
FREE Genealogy Workshop of your choice during your membership year.
PLUS! Reciprocal benefits at 1,000+ museums nationwide with the North American Reciprocal Museum program. Scan for a complete list
AND SO MUCH MORE!