history & museums

Historic Schoenbrunn Village (New   Philadelphia) - site of the first village settled in 1772 by Moravian Missionary David Zeisberger. The missionaries and Native Americans built Ohio's first Christian church and school house and drew up Ohio's first civil code. Today the recreated Schoenbrunn Village and museum give visitors a glimpse of what life was like on God's Acre more than 200 years ago.

Gnadenhutten Museum & Historical Park (Gnadenhutten).  2022 is Gnadenhutten’s 250th anniversary! Site of the second village settled in 1772 by Moravian Missionary David Zeisberger, Gnadenhutten is Ohio's Oldest Existing Settlement. The museum houses artifacts from the early settlement. The museum grounds are also the site of Pioneer Days each August, featuring an 1840s encampment, and Apple Butter Days in October. An excellent website with historical information about the massacre is located at http://gnadenhutten.tripod.com/

Historic Dennison Railroad Depot Museum (Dennison). Named a National Landmark in 2011, the Dennison Depot is considered "the most significant remaining example in the nation of a railroad canteen still reflecting its WWII heritage". A major water stop for trains traveling between Pittsburgh and Columbus, the Dennison Depot was also known to more than 1.5 million soldiers during WWII as "Dreamsville USA". The Depot is also home to the Polar Express each December.

Clay Museum (Uhrichsville). Uhrichsville was once known as the Clay Capital of the world. The museum pays tribute to this once-thriving industry, and the highly treasured clay folk art created by the workers in their spare time.

Warther Museum & Knife Shop (Dover). “Start right where you are and act as if no one is trying to hinder you." Imagine what we could all accomplish if we heeded these words of World's Master Carver Earnest "Mooney" Warther. Warther Carvings is a wonderful museum set on the homestead of Mooney and his wife, Freida. Featuring the history of the steam locomotive, Mooney's carvings of wood and ivory were deemed "priceless" by the Smithsonian, and have to be seen to be believed. Freida's "button house" located outside the museum is home to her collection of more than 73,000 buttons. Be sure to visit the knife shop to see how the famous Warther knives are made.

David Warther Carvings (between Sugarcreek & Walnut Creek) - David Warther, a fifth generation carver of Swiss heritage, is the grandson of Mooney Warther. David began carving at the age of 3, carved his first ship at 6, and eventually turned his love of ships into his creative focus. The museum houses David's history of ships from 3000 BC to present day. All ships are carved from antique ivory which has been donated by museums or private collectors. Simply amazing!

Famous Endings Museum at Toland Herzig Funeral Home (Dover) - This collection houses programs, photographs & memorabilia from the funerals of presidents & celebrities such as Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, George Burns, Vince Lombardi, and many more. With more than 1500 items, it is considered the largest known collection of its kind.

Historic Zoar Village & Gardens (Zoar). Historic Zoar Village was originally founded in 1817 by German Separatists who were escaping religious persecution in their homeland. Many of the original homes have been preserved or restored. Zoar boasts a busy calendar of events, so be sure to check out their website.

Roscoe Village (Coshocton) - A visit to this "living history community" gives you a glimpse of life in this canal town during the 1830s. Costumed interpreters, old-fashioned shops, and artisan demonstrators all help you feel as if you've stepped back in time.

Auman Museum of Radio & Television (Dover) - "Hundreds of games, toys, comic books, and other related items pertaining to early television & radio. Over 200 different television sets! From 1930 'The Mechanical Era' to 1950 'The Golden Age'."

J.E. Reeves Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum (Dover) - The family home of local industrialist, Jeremiah E. Reeves, this lovely 17-room Victorian mansion and carriage house is now owned by the Dover Historical Society. It has been carefully restored by the Society to its original turn-of-the-century splendor and features the "original furniture and antiques that were the property of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah E. Reeves, arranged as they would have been 100 years ago."

Alpine Hills Historical Museum (downtown Sugarcreek) - features displays of the village's German, Swiss & Amish heritage. Open April 1st through October 31st.

Baltic Historical Society Museum - The village of Baltic features the historic Baltic Mill and the Steiner Cheese Factory. The Mill was one of Ohio's oldest flour and feed mills, and now houses Baltic Mill Winery. The Steiner Cheese Factory was the first cheese house established in Ohio.

Temperance Tavern Museum & the Olde Main Street Museum and Social Center (Newcomerstown)- These side-by-side facilities are operated by the Newcomerstown Historical Society.  Also features memorabilia about 2 favorite hometown sons:  Cy Young & Woody Hayes.

Ft. Laurens (Bolivar) - Learn about the fight for Independence on the Ohio Frontier. In 1778-1779, Ft. Laurens was the site of Ohio's only Revolutionary War fort.

Union Hall - (Port Washington) - This 1879 structure served as the town hall for Port Washington. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ragersville Historical Society (Ragersville) - Located in the 1897 Emmanuel Lutheran Church & Museum. Known for many years as "Hangtown", Ragersville was the site of the only lynching in Tuscarawas County. The town also includes a restored 1830 school house, and many genealogical & historical documents.

OHIO'S AMISH COUNTRY

Ohio's Amish Country - So many things to see & do in Ohio's Amish Country -- shopping, dining, locally made Amish furniture, trip planning & tours, family-friendly live performances, and so much more!

Behalt - Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center (Berlin) - Did you ever wonder why the Amish & Mennonites live the way they do? Here's where you can find the answers to all of your questions.

Amish Heartland Tours (Berlin) - Take an Amish Heartland Tour, and you will come away amazed by all of the things to see & do in Amish Country.  Several packages are available. We recommend any package that ends with a delicious dinner in an Amish home.

World's Largest Cuckoo Clock (Sugarcreek) - listed in the Guinness Book of Records - and for an excellent reason. It measures 23 feet, 6 inches tall, 24 feet wide, and 13 feet, 6 inches deep. See for yourself when you visit Sugarcreek.

Village of Sugarcreek - Surround yourself with Swiss architecture and Swiss heritage in "The Little Switzerland of Ohio". Home of the Ohio Swiss Festival every October. 

The Farm at Walnut Creek (Walnut Creek) - Nestled in the heart of Amish Country, The Farm at Walnut Creek is a working farm with over 500 exotic animals from six continents around the world.

John S. Yoder Home (Sugarcreek) - learn about Amish & Mennonite life in this 1869 home.

Yoder's Amish Home  (Walnut Creek) - A farm where you can learn about the Amish & Mennonite.

Amish Country Theater (Walnut Creek) - Think HeeHaw with buggies, and you've got Amish Country Theater. Family-friendly live entertainment, nationally known ventriloquist Ken Groves, corn-pone humor, "da Chonas Brudders" (AKA "da Beachy Boyz"), and a fantastic bluegrass band. Shows on Tuesdas, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, mid-April through December. 

WINERIES

Wineries - What kind of wine do you want? Local wineries include Yellow Butterfly Winery (Newcomerstown); Silver Moon Winery (between Dover/Sugarcreek); Rainbow Hills Winery (Newcomerstown), Breitenbach Wine Cellars (between Dover/Sugarcreek), School House Winery (Dover),  Raven's Glenn Winery (West Lafayette), Al-Bi Winery (Dellroy), Winery at Perennial Vineyards (Navarre), Swiss Heritage Winery at Broadrun Cheese House (between Dover/Sugarcreek), Baltic Mill Winery (Baltic) and Casella Wine (Dennison). Be sure to bring a designated driver!

CONCERTS & LIVE PERFORMANCES

Paul Green's Trumpet In The Land (New Philadelphia). This outdoor drama, "performed in the same hills where the story was born", brings to life the Ohio frontier during the Revolutionary War, and tells the story of the founding of Ohio's first settlement, Schoenbrunn. The 2017 schedule begins June 16th and runs through August 19th. Be sure to check their website for other great shows being performed in addition to "Trumpet in the Land". This year's lineup includes select performances of "The Odd Couple" "All Shook Up" and "The Rat Pack Lounge".

Performing Arts Center at Kent State University Tuscarawas  (New Philadelphia) - The PAC at Kent State Tuscarawas showcases talent from across the country and around the world. For a complete lineup & to buy tickets, visit their website.

Tuscarawas Philharmonic (New Philadelphia) -  The Tuscarawas Philaharmonic has been a well-respected musical treasure for more than 80 years.  Featuring favorite composers, fabulous soloists, and a wonderful program for every concert, you'll soon discover why our Tuscarawas Philharmonic is a local favorite.  Most performances are held at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University Tuscarawas.

Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County (New   Philadelphia) - This community theater has been offering live performances in our area since 1951.

Alive Christian Music Festival (Atwood Lake Park, Dellroy) - Scheduled for July 18-20, 2024.

HIKING & BIKING

Biking & Hiking Trails in NE Ohio - Bring your walking shoes, bring your bike, pack a lunch and enjoy miles and miles of trails. NE Ohio has 35 trails. Close to us you'll find the Conotton Creek Trail, The Zeisberger Trail, the Zoar Valley Trail, the Tappan-Moravian Trail Scenic Byway and the Coshocton Three Rivers Bikeway.

Dundee Falls (Dundee) - A great place for rock climbing, hiking, bird watching, or riding the mountain bike trail.

Norma Johnson Conservation Area (between Dover & Sugarcreek) - More than 300 acres, perfect for hiking, bird watching, or learning about conservation efforts. 

EVERYTHING ELSE

Midvale Speedway (New Philadelphia) - Ohio's Fun Place to Race. Stock cars, super-modified, and so much more. Midvale Speedway is the home of "Thunder in the Valley" every Saturday night, April through early October.

Golf, anyone? When you have a dozen golf courses within a half-hour drive, it's no wonder golfers love the area. They include: Five Waters (Midvale); Big Bend (Uhrichsville); River Greens & Hickory Flats (both near West Lafayette); Willandale (Sugarcreek); Auman Timbers (Dover); Green Valley, Oak Shadows, and Woods' Tall Timbers Lake Resort (all in New Philadelphia);  Zoar Village (Zoar); Wilkshire Hills (Bolivar); and Carroll Meadows (Carrollton).

Ohio Armament  (Strasburg) If you're into target-shooting but hate being out in the wind and weather, Ohio Armament's indoor climate-controlled range is the place for you. Don't have your own firearm? Try one of their rentals. Private instruction available. Open Monday-Saturday, 10-6.

Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts (New Philadelphia) - The TCCA provides a venue for a variety of gallery exhibits plus educational and cultural opportunities.

Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton). What can we say about this amazing tribute to the American sport of football? Located just off I-77 in Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a destination for football fans of all ages. 

National First Ladies' Museum - How much do you know about the wives of our United States Presidents? This gem of a museum, documenting the lives and contributions of the women who helped shape our country, is located in the Saxton-McKinley House in Canton, Ohio. It was the family home of President McKinley's wife, Ida, and the couple lived there from 1878 to 1891. Guided tours, educational materials, guest lecturers, and research materials are available.

FAMILY FUN

Lynn Drive-In Theater (Strasburg)- Since 1937, Ohio's Oldest Drive-In Theater, and the second-oldest drive-in theater in the world. See what's playing under the stars at the Lynn.

Uhrichsville Water Park (Uhrichsville) - That's right, there's a water park in Uhrichsville, and it's a beauty - a 4.5 acre facility offering an 18,000 sq. ft. heated pool with a pair of two-story waterslides and a zero-depth entry child play area with a fantastic play unit aimed toward younger children. Check website for more information.

Tuscora Park  (New Philadelphia) - If you're traveling with children or grandchildren, this is one stop you don't want to miss. Tuscora Park offers the things you'd expect to see in a municipal park - swimming pools, tennis courts, awesome playground areas, etc. AND... from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Tuscora Park offers vintage rides, including a 1928 Herschell-Spillman antique carousel that has been in operation at the park since 1941. It's one of only a few all-wood carousels in existence. "Summer Showcase" at the park's amphitheatre offers a variety of concerts every weekend.

Woods' Tall Timbers Lake Resort - The fun never ends at Woods' Tall Timbers Lake Resort near New Philadelphia. Swimming, camping, par 3 & putt-putt golf, plus ziplines for children and adults.

Baylor Beach (Beach City) - Family owned & operated since 1954. Enjoy swimming, picnics, camping, putt-putt, paddleboats, and much more, along with the coolest "swimming hole" in the area.

Atwood Lake Park (Dellroy) - A great place for sailing & pleasure boating. Campgrounds, beachfront, concession stands & more.

Tappan Lake (between Uhrichsville & Cadiz) - Great for camping, fishing, picnics, swimming, hiking, boating, water skiing & jet-skiing.

Columbia Skateland (Dover) - When was the last time you strapped on roller skates & glided on a real hardwood rink? For hours and more information, phone (330) 878-5811.

The Wilderness Center (Wilmot) - Non-profit nature center with 10 miles of hiking trails, and interactive center, bird watching, star gazing, and many more nature-oriented activities.