Discover how OHIO’S WATERS MOVED A NATION on the brand-new Lake Erie To Ohio River Trail p. 6
FREE ADMISSION FOR MEMBERS TO OVER 50 SITES!
Learn how everyday Ohioans are identifying the resting places of OVER 7,000 REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS p. 28
This year is a big year for us all as we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
Although Ohio didn’t become a state until 1803, the Buckeye State still played a large role in the evolution of our country. From the creation of monumental earthworks and mounds by Indigenous people over 2,000 years ago, to the establishment of the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, to serving as a home for eight future presidents, to playing a critical role in the Space Race, Ohio has no shortage of historical achievements. We’re grateful to work closely with the America 250-Ohio Commission as we commemorate and share the stories of Ohio’s contributions to our nation.
I hope you’ll take advantage of all that’s offered this year through both the Commission and the Ohio History Connection. Discover the story of Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort. Take part in a picnic celebration. Explore one of the many trails the commission has created for this special year—featuring several Ohio History Connection sites!
2026 is a unique year to reflect on our country’s past and look forward to the future we’ll create for the next generation. As you explore this guide, I invite you to connect with Ohio’s past in meaningful ways and embrace the people, places and stories that shaped our nation with your family in the years to come.
Have a
Megan Wood, Executive Director & CEO
2026 is going to be a celebration that lasts all year long!
On July 4, our country will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It’s a big moment that will rival (and maybe surpass) the 2003 Ohio Bicentennial.
As Executive Director & CEO Megan Wood mentioned, it’s a great opportunity to travel, reflect and look ahead towards the future.
However, you don’t need to wait until July to celebrate! In fact, in many ways, the celebration has already begun. On March 1, 2022, The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (also referred to as America 250-Ohio) was formed on Ohio's Statehood Day by Governor Mike DeWine. Since then, the commission has been busy!
From new trails to explore to celebrating Ohio movies, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved, no matter how old you are! This guide will cover a good amount of the programs you can take advantage of this year while also utilizing your Ohio History Connection membership. The combination of a membership with a memorable year is a recipe for a great adventure.
We hope you’ll take advantage of this guide and use it as a starting point to make 2026 a great year for celebrating the stories of Ohio's contributions to the U.S. for the past 250+ years (and sometimes even earlier than that).
Happy Birthday, America! Now let’s start celebrating!
TRAVELER’S TIP
We include many of the ways you can get involved, but not all. For that, we recommend visiting the commission’s website at america250-ohio.org.
From there you can find events near you, a full program list and ways you can get involved. Special thanks to the America250-Ohio commission for their help and work on creating all of the wonderful opportunities you’ll find in the coming pages.
If you’re not near Lake Erie or close to the Ohio River, it’s easy to overlook how waterways shaped not only our state, but the country. Our rivers, lakes and canals like the Ohio & Erie fueled industry and growth, building the backbone of America.
They continue to play a vital role in our lives, providing clean drinking water; powering economies through shipping, recreation and fisheries; anchoring quaint canal towns and vibrant waterfront cities. For thousands of years, these waters have sustained life, sparked innovation and defined Ohio’s story. Now it’s time to revisit them with fresh eyes.
This “drive your own adventure” trail connects you to the stories and places where you can explore the state’s maritime stories and places. Using your Ohio History Connection membership will get you into several of them for free. Get your car (or in some cases a boat) ready. It’s time for a road trip!
There are over 150 sites on this trail. It’s big! As the name implies, a good number of sites are going to be along the Ohio River and Lake Erie. However, there are sites all over the state.
You can visit america250-ohio.org/ lake-erie-to-ohio-river to see an online trail map. Use the filter button to visit all sites in a region or pick and choose by the types of stories you want to explore.
This trail is unique in that it has seven themes. It’s seven trails for the price of one! They include:
This includes not only lighthouses, but Fresnel lenses & keepers’ homes. Ohio’s Lake Erie lighthouses have long served as beacons of safety, guiding ships through unpredictable weather and narrow channels, as well as past rocky shorelines.
From scenic Lake Erie Islands and bustling riverports to horsedrawn canal journeys, ferryboats, canal boats and cruises get you on the water, immersed in the role water transportation plays in commerce, settlement and regional development.
This theme encompasses maritime museums, museum ships and War of 1812 sites. Lake Erie’s story is one of power, passage and preservation. In the early 1800s, its waters were a strategic prize during the War of 1812—where Captain Oliver Hazard Perry’s dramatic victory secured American control of the Great Lakes.
This theme covers the Miami and Erie Canal, Ohio and Erie Canal and canal locks. Ohio’s canal system was a 19th century engineering marvel that transformed the state into a commercial powerhouse.
The Ohio River has long served as a lifeline and landmark—defining Ohio’s southern border while shaping its history and identity. In this theme, you’ll discover ancient sites, early settlement and nationbuilding museums and freedom seeker sites.
Ohio’s waterways have shaped a diverse and vital natural landscape, from Lake Erie’s coastal marshes to the wooded bluffs of the Ohio River Valley. Discover the parks, nature preserves and scenic views along this trail theme.
Lake Erie, the Ohio River and the historic canals are more than travel routes; they’re living ecosystems with powerful environmental stories. Explore the science centers, aquariums and environmental education locations that inspire stewardship of the water that sustains us all.
Whether you’re visiting one of our sites or discovering another amazing experience on the trail, please make sure to confirm the days and hours of operations, especially sites that operate seasonally. The map has links to each site’s website for information.
Not every lighthouse is open for tours, nor is every lighthouse accessible to the public. You may also want to plan visits around demonstrations, special events, lectures and hands-on workshops. While being on the trail doesn’t mean free admission, several sites like the Marblehead Lighthouse allow you to walk on the grounds for free. With an Ohio History Connection membership, you get complimentary access to even more.
Control of Lake Erie led to a major battle during the War of 1812 resulting in Captain Oliver Hazard Perry’s dramatic victory and secured American control of the Great Lakes. As Ohio blossomed, Lake Erie became the heart of its commerce, linking inland canals to booming ports like Cleveland and Ashtabula. Freighters hauled stone, iron ore, coal and grain while lighthouses and Morse code signals ensured safe passage. As cities rose along its shores, so did a rich maritime culture— from fishing fleets and passenger steamers to shipbuilding feats like the world’s first electrically welded steel hull ship.
addition, Fort Meigs prevented further British incursions into Ohio and bought American forces the time they needed to build a U.S. naval fleet on Lake Erie, resulting in the American victory during the Battle of Lake Erie.
This fort, located at the foot of the Rapids of the Maumee River, played a vital role in securing the Great Lakes region during the War of 1812. The twice-successful defense of Fort Meigs ushered in a series of American victories which ultimately secured the Great Lakes Region in American control and cemented the geographic and cultural boundaries of the region, which still exist today. In
Step into the reconstructed largest wooden-walled fort in North America, where President William Henry Harrison commanded troops and Shawnee Chief Tecumseh helped stage a fake battle to beat the British. This 10-acre fort features blockhouses, artillery batteries, a quartermaster’s building and numerous traverses used by troops to defend the fort from British cannon fire. Learn about Ohio’s role in the war at this National Historic Landmark through soldiers’ letters and diaries, uniforms and weapons located in the adjacent Museum and Visitors Center.
Discover scenic islands, bustling riverports, horse-drawn canal boats and much more. Immerse yourself and discover the role water transportation plays in the development of our state. Legacy ferries and narrated boat tours connect travelers to past eras such as industrial booms, frontier expansion and Indigenous heritage; all while providing modern leisure and educational experiences.
OUR RECOMMENDATION?
Hop aboard the General Harrison of Piqua in southwestern Ohio.
The General Harrison of Piqua Canal Boat Rides at Johnston Farm
Before European explorers, land was occupied by Indigenous peoples. In 1804, John Johnston purchased the land and kept good company with the Indigenous people living in the area. Visit several buildings on the restored Johnston property, featuring one of the oldest and largest log barns in Ohio. Learn about the fur trade and the impact of the Miami & Erie Canal. In 1825, Ohio broke ground for her own canals. To oversee the construction of this new transportation system, a seven-member Canal Commission was appointed. John Johnston was one of the seven named to this Board. Through his work, not only was the Ohio-Erie Canal constructed through central Ohio, but also the Miami-Erie Canal became a part of the landscape of western Ohio.
Guests may enjoy a ride aboard the General Harrison of Piqua, a replica 70-foot-long canal boat often used for transportation of passengers and cargo in the 19th century. Costumed guides direct the muledrawn boat to provide an authentic and memorable experience for all.
Ohio’s canal system was truly revolutionary for its time. The canals linked Ohio to global markets and transformed the state into a commercial powerhouse. Hand-dug, canals reduced transport costs, accelerated settlement and boosted industries like farming and manufacturing. Towns flourished along their routes, and the “Big Ditch” era laid the groundwork for Ohio’s rapid economic and population growth.
Discover a vestige of Ohio's Miami and Erie Canal, an important example of 19th-century civil engineering. The extensive stair step canal lock walls, among the best preserved in Ohio, were part of the Miami and Erie Canal system, which opened for navigation in 1845 and connected Cincinnati and the Ohio River to Toledo and Lake Erie. For decades, the canal provided Ohio with valuable transportation and waterpower. The lockmaster’s house—now a private residence—and a dry-dock basin for boat repair are still visible.
Lockington Locks
Zoar Village
Step into 19th-century life at Zoar Village, where German separatists carved out a thriving communal society—and where the Ohio & Erie Canal transformed their future. Completed through Zoar in the 1830s, the canal brought much-needed income and connection to the outside world. Villagers worked as skilled laborers and engineers on the canal, which in turn fueled Zoar’s economic stability. Today, walk the canal’s path, explore preserved buildings, and discover how water shaped the resilience and prosperity of this remarkable community.
With over 14 museum buildings on site, there’s so much to explore. Zoar Village is on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath trail and is only 3-miles away from Fort Laurens, Ohio’s only Revolutionary War Fort (read more on page 28).
Ohio History Center
If you’ve visited our site in Columbus, you might be curious as to why it’s here. After all, the Ohio History Center is landlocked and not close to any rivers or canals. What this site lacks in water, it makes up for in archives!
Many Ohio History Connection sites across Ohio relate to canal history. The Ohio History Center holds canal maps, models and interpretive materials that help tell the story of Ohio’s canals. Visit the archives to research canal history and learn more details not addressed at smaller canal historic sites. The archives have limited hours so be sure to confirm availability and make an appointment if you’re conducting more personalized research.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Ohio River was a gateway to the western frontier, carrying settlers, goods and ideas. The river marked the boundary between slave and free states, making it a critical route for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. Riverboats and ferries fueled commerce and connected communities, helping cities like Cincinnati and Marietta thrive. Today, the Ohio River remains vital—supporting transportation, tourism and recreation, while echoing stories of struggle, resilience and progress along its winding path.
Located at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta was a hub of early river trade and settlement. It was the first settlement established in the Northwest Territory, and the Campus Martius stockade served as the primary civilian defense. Visit the Rufus Putnam House, which is incorporated into the museum and sits on its original foundation. Learn the history of the settlement and the first settlers of Ohio. Be sure to visit the Ohio Company Land Office to see land surveys that were awarded to Revolutionary War veterans.
Lockington Locks and Johnston Farm are a little over 3 miles apart. We recommend making a day of it and riding the General Harrison of Piqua then making the 6-minute drive to see the canal locks. The two sites together put into perspective how important canals were for 19th century Ohio.
Discover how the Ohio River transformed East Liverpool into the nation’s pottery capital. This museum displays ornate ceramic works, factory tools and stories of immigrant laborers who helped the industry flourish. Learn how steamboats and river transport carried millions of ceramics downriver, shaping American homes and global markets.
This 1819 tavern once welcomed steamboat passengers, traders and townsfolk to the bustling port of Gallipolis. Step into the parlor where Lafayette dined in 1825 and imagine the lively riverfront life of early Ohio. Explore the French influence, river travel and tavern culture that shaped early river life in Gallipolis.
John Rankin House
Perched high above the Ohio River, the John Rankin House was a beacon of hope for freedom seekers escaping slavery. From this hilltop, the Rankin family watched the river—a dangerous but vital boundary between slavery and freedom. The Ohio River served as a symbolic and literal line of escape; crossing it was often the first step to liberty. Learn how the Rankins aided over 2,000 people on their journey to freedom, and how the river shaped Underground Railroad routes and resistance.
Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve
High above the Little Miami River—a tributary of the Ohio River—Fort Ancient was built by Indigenous peoples over 2,000 years ago. Water shaped their lives, beliefs and connections: rivers served as sacred boundaries, trade routes and gathering corridors. The earthworks overlook one of the most scenic stretches of Ohio’s ancient waterways. Inside the museum, exhibits highlight how the Ohio River and its tributaries supported the movement of goods, ideas and ceremonial traditions across cultures long before European arrival. This site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sites we mentioned above are all included in your membership and only a sample of what this trail has to offer. There are several themes such as the Aquatic Science & Research Sites and Natural Sites & Overlooks that don’t contain any Ohio History Connection sites but are well worth a visit to explore. Many sites are interactive and tell stories that you or your kids won’t hear in the classroom. There’s no better time to get out there than during America’s 250 celebration.
BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY AT america250-ohio.org/ lake-erie-to-ohio-river
For more information on membership and to join, visit ohiohistory.org/join.
The state isn’t called the Birthplace of Aviation for nothing!
It feels impossible to imagine life without the invention of flight. Thanks to Dayton brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright, you don’t have to. The work of the Wright brothers carved the path for more innovation and soon Ohioans weren’t just looking at the skies, but the stars.
Launched in 2024, the Ohio Air & Space Trail celebrates the many people and places in Ohio that contributed to aviation and space exploration. It features 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. With over 30 museums and historic sites, there’s no shortage of stories and experiences to discover.
There are well over 30 sites on this trail that span across the state. There is a good cluster on the southwestern side of the state near Dayton. Planning your trip regionally is a good place to start. Visit america250-ohio.org/trails-and-tales to see a map and listings of all sites. Another option is to plan your trip by topic. This trail doesn’t feature as many sites as the Lake Erie to Ohio River trail but does cover a wide array of themes, including:
• The Birthplace of Aviation
The work of the Wright brothers led to the first practical plane and inspired more aviation milestones in Ohio, including the first passenger airship!
• Innovation Ohio was a breeding ground for innovation in air and space technologies. Because of this work, you’re more likely to take a plane for long-distance travel as opposed to a ship or car.
• Ser vice to Country Ohio has always contributed to war efforts; from pilots to crews, planes, parts and materials. Discover the stories of those who were part of the war effort both abroad and at home.
• Training Innovation results in a need for those who know how to use this technology. This extended to pilots for airplanes and later space shuttles. Explore how Ohio played a role in training pilots, both military and civilian.
• Space Exploration Ohioans have many achievements in space exploration; the first astronaut to orbit the earth and the first to place a boot on the moon to advancing women in space and producing key components that made space flight possible.
• Preser vation & Flying Experiences Ohio is proud of its air & space history. There are many places and people in Ohio dedicated to preserving historic aircraft and the stories that go along with them.
• Aviation Feats & Spectacles Aviation at its heart is a quest for adventure. There is no shortage of stories about stunt-flyers, air races, movie flyers and solo flights.
There are two sites on this trail that are included with your membership as well as a few others that offer discount admission.
Armstrong Air & Space Museum
Located In Wapakoneta, hometown of Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the Armstrong Air & Space Museum stands as a repository of Ohio’s aeronautical history. See a moon rock, two full-sized aircraft flown by Neil Armstrong, the Gemini VIII space capsule, artifacts from the Apollo 11 mission and more. The museum gift shop offers a variety of items, including mission patches and a favorite—space ice cream!
Did you know that each of the America 250 sites have a playlist? You can visit america250-ohio.org/trails-and-tales to see the Air & Space Road Trip Playlist. Drive to Armstrong Air & Space while you’re listening to Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon.
John & Annie Glenn Museum
Tour John Glenn’s childhood home in New Concord, Ohio and travel back in time to one of three important eras of John Glenn’s life; the Great Depression, 1944 during WWII or 1962 during the space race. Exhibits feature NASA history, a mock Friendship 7 space capsule, and suit and helmet worn by John Glenn.
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH RECIPROCAL BENEFITS!
Ohio History Connection members get access to more than just our network of sites. If you’re in the Columbus area, take advantage of the Columbus Member Advantage. You can save $4 on general admission (up to 4 tickets) to select Central Ohio museums and attractions. No coupon necessary. Simply show your valid Ohio History Connection membership card each time you visit.
Better yet, several of the sites featured on the Air & Space trail are a part of Columbus Member Advantage including the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and The Works.
Scan here for a full list of participating sites.
Whether you have been interested in planes for decades or have a little one who is obsessed with space, there’s something on this trail for everyone!
National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center
Discover the many incredible artists, authors, musicians and more that called Ohio home.
You may be familiar with a few of their names. If you’re a long time Ohio History Connection fan, the name Harriet Beecher Stowe may ring a bell. Ohio has so many stories that have added to the culture of the United States.
The Ohio Creativity Trail looks to capture that richness with over 100 sites to visit across many mediums. From historic influences to modern artistry, this “drive your own” experience will inspire you to explore the art of our state and nation while unlocking your own creativity along the way.
So we mentioned that there are over 100 sites on this trail—it’s big!
Getting started can feel a little overwhelming, but our friends at the America 250-Ohio commission have you covered. Scan the code below or visit america250-ohio.org/ ohio-creativity-trail to see not only all the sites, but their categories.
When you think of creativity, many people will think of writers or painters. And they’re on this list! But creativity is much more than what we might see in art museums. This trail has six distinct categories or genres.
If you guessed writers would be on the trail, you were write...err right! More than just authors, this genre celebrates the many poets, picture book artists, graphic novelists and cartoonists that called Ohio, at one point, home. From celebrated storytellers like Toni Morrison (Loraine) to Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Cleveland), discover the Ohioans whose words and illustrations create new worlds, inspired change and fostered community.
For our musically inclined road trippers, these sites are for you! Featuring singers, songwriters, instrument makers and musicians, Ohio has been fostering musical talent that has impacted the world. Ohio is no stranger to music movements with Cleveland being the birthplace of “rock and roll.” Many popular bands rose in popularity across Dayton, Columbus, Toledo, Akron and others. Ohio’s contribution to music extends across the boundaries of genres and even created new ones.
Creativity is more than what we see in art museums, but art museums are still important! This genre covers a wide variety of arts including painters, sculptors, photographers and illustrators. Our state has a great love of visual arts and is home to some of the best museums, studios and galleries. Notable artists like George Bellows, Roy Lichtenstein and Julian Stanczak have ties to the state. Key movements, including the Ashcan School, Pop Art and Op Art, have roots in Ohio. Plan your road trip for the art lover in your home!
If you’re up to date on your ceramic history, pottery names like Roseville and Rookwood will sound familiar. This genre covers the glass artists, glass blowers and ceramic artists that created some of the most unique glass and pottery in the industry. It’s not an accident that they’re from Ohio. With abundant sand, clay and limestone, Ohio has been fueling artists from Indigenous craftsmanship to thriving industries in East Liverpool, Zanesville and Toledo. Discover the countless opportunities in our state to explore the unique designs that are still being collected today!
If you’ve ever visited a state or county fair, you might be familiar with quilt competitions. Quilts are part of larger art category known as folk art. This genre features designers, skilled masters and creators of functional art. Influenced by migrant and religious communities, our state’s folk art covers an array of mediums such as quilting, woodworking, textiles and more. Ohioans value our heritage as seen in the ways folk art practices are preserved, taught and celebrated.
Didn’t think of carousel as art when you read this trail title, did you? Carousels are nostalgic, especially for Ohioans. The first carousel to operate in the United States is said to have occurred in Hessville, Ohio in the 1840s. With 22 operating carousels, our state has one of the nation's largest collections. This genre covers not only working carousels, but the carvers and band organs that continue to carve their marks on this artform.
There’s a lot to discover on this trail and a few different ways to plan your trip. You can certainly go by genre (we know there are some of you out there that want to ride all 22 carousels!) or you can go by region. The America 250-Ohio commission has a map of all the sites that you can sort by genre. There’s also a pdf version on their website that sorts it by genre and then region (Northeast, Central, Southwest, etc.).
As with any trip, please confirm days and hours of operation as some sites have limited access or operate seasonally. There are also opportunities to get hands-on! Check each site’s website for information on upcoming demonstrations, special events, lectures and workshops. If you plan to listen to some live music during your tour, visit the site listing’s local visitor bureau website. Many will have event calendars featuring what’s happening at listening rooms, concert venues, theatres, local wineries, etc. You can find this information on the trail map.
Several Ohio History Connection sites are featured across many different genres of this trail. Why pay admission when you don’t have to! Check out these sites on your tour:
The National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center has great exhibits focused on African American contributions to art, history, culture and social movements. This museum has frequent exhibitions of Ohio, national and international artists including the annual Art of Soul! exhibit, a National Juried Art Show. This year’s theme, “America 250: Our Story,” invites artists from across the United States to reflect on the nation’s journey through the lens of the African diaspora and African American history, culture and experience.
The National Road & Zane Grey Museum is perfect for those planning a multimedia adventure, often referred to as three museums in one! There are three main components of this museum: Exploring the life of national author, Zane Grey, chronicling the development of the National Road and featuring examples of art pottery for which this region of Ohio was famous in the 20th century.
Zane Grey shaped early perceptions of the Old West through more than 90 books and 100 movies. An avid adventurer, Grey also became one of the first millionaires based on storytelling. Pottery more your thing? Check out several examples of local pottery including Roseville.
The Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati explores the Beecher family home, where Harriet Beecher Stowe, later author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, lived and learned. Her focus on the humanity of freedom seekers and the devastation of maternal loss and family separation made her an important voice in the anti-slavery movement and shifted public opinion in the North. Be sure to also discover its history as the Edgemont Inn, listed in the Green Book.
Museum of Ceramics is in East Liverpool, a hub of pottery artistry and innovation beginning in the 1840s. The museum highlights the craftsmanship of these skilled potters and boasts a vast collection with life-size dioramas depicting a jigger shop, kiln and decorating shop. Be sure to visit their website for classes and workshop offerings.
As the state’s history museum, the Ohio History Center has a wide array of Ohiomade ceramics including stoneware, earthenware, yellowware, whiteware, art pottery, ceramic tile and porcelain. The collection also includes tools used to make ceramics, such as molds and machinery. There are also rotating quilts and exhibits on furniture making.
Historic Zoar Village is a great place to stop if you’re interested in folk art. Founded by German religious dissenters in 1817, Zoar Village was inhabited by a communal society until 1898—making it one of the longest lasting communal settlements in the U.S. Today, Zoar is renowned for its well-preserved 19th century architecture and offers visitors 45 historic buildings to explore, such as the Bimeler House & Museum, which features rotating art exhibits.
Some of the members of this program are featured on the Creativity Trail such as the Columbus Museum of Art, the Wexner Center for the Arts and the Columbus Zoo. Additional tickets may need to be purchased for experiences or workshops.
For more information, see page 17.
If you want to discover even more sites for free across the country, consider becoming Premium members of the Ohio History Connection. This membership level gives you access to the North American Reciprocal Museum Association and offers free admission at more than 1,000 participating museums in North America. Be sure you have your current membership card with NARM sticker affixed before you travel! Most participating sites allow free admission for two adults and children covered by your membership; however some institutions do restrict benefits, so ticketed special events or performances may not be included.
Sites included on both the Creativity Trail and NARM:
• The American Sign Museum
• Canton Museum of Art
• Cincinnati Art Museum
• Cleveland Museum of Art
• Columbus Museum of Art*
• Dayton Art Institute
• Kennedy Museum of Art
• Mansfield Art Center
• Ohio Craft Museum
• Ohio Glass Museum
• Richard & Carole Cocks Art Museum
• Springfield Museum of Art
• The Butler Institute of American Art
• The Dairy Barn Arts Center
• Toledo Museum of Art
• Zanesville Museum of Art
*For this site, NARM privileges do not extend to members with a home institution within a 15-mile radius.
For more information on reciprocal programs, visit ohiohistory.org/membership
We hope a few of the sites mentioned on this trail caught your attention. Now it’s time to get out there. If you’re hitting the road, be sure to listen to the Creativity Trail’s playlist on Spotify to set the mood. If you have young kids joining you on your journey, be sure to check out the trail’s creativity field guide! The guide offers activities to journal along the way like designing your own carousel or creating your own cartoon.
The Creativity Trail webpage offers additional resources and even more existing trails.
There’s no shortage of creativity to inspire you in Ohio. Have a great adventure!
Participating Ohio History Connection Sites
• Adena Mansion & Gardens in Chillicothe
• Campus Martius in Marietta
• Fort Ancient in Oregonia
• Fort Laurens in Bolivar
• Fort Meigs in Perrysburg
• Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati
• Indian Mill in Upper Sandusky
• John & Annie Glenn Mueum in New Concord
• National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center in Wilberforce
• National Road & Zane Grey Museum in Norwich
• Ohio History Center in Columbus
Do you have a young fourth grader in your family?
Take advantage of this great program by the America 250-Ohio Commission!
During the 2025-2026 school year, any fourth-grade student can receive a pass that will provide them with the opportunity to visit a participating historyrelated museum or site in Ohio for free with a paid adult. Accompanying families will pay regular admission. With over 60 participating sites across the state, there’s no shortage of opportunities for the fourth graders in your life.
Start at america250-ohio.org/fourthgrade-pass. The webpage has a full list of museums & historic sites that are participating in the program such as the National Veterans Museum and Memorial in Columbus, the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Cleveland History Center. We recommend checking hour and operation days as some of these sites operate seasonally.
This July 2026, history becomes a family adventure! With the 4th Grade History Pass+, 4th graders and up to three family members enjoy free admission all month long at participating sites across the state. Next download or print the history pass directly from the website. Present the pass on your phone or printed version at the admissions desk of the participating venue. Then have fun with your fourth grader!
• Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont
• Schoenbrunn Village in New Philadelphia
• US Grant Boyhood Home & Schoolhouse in Georgetown
• William Henry Harrison Tomb in Cleves
• Zoar Village in Zoar
When the American Revolution is taught in schools, students will be familiar with locations like Lexington or Yorktown which makes sense. Key battles occurred in the original 13 colonies, but Ohio also saw action. While the Buckeye state didn’t join the Union till 1803, that didn’t stop the war from reaching the Ohio territory.
In the town of Bolivar is Fort Laurens, the only Revolutionary War fort in Ohio. The fort was constructed in 1778 under the command of General McIntosh. The original plan was to defeat the Britishallied Wyandot and then attack the British stationed in Detroit. With winter fast approaching, the fort was built to house the troops and wait for Spring to continue their attack.
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 of 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.
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 American soldiers arrived. Once the men who had survived the winter at Fort Laurens were able to travel, they returned to Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania. 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 thirty men lost their lives in association with Fort Laurens, twenty-one were interred in the fort cemetery.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
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 activeduty veterans get into Fort Laurens for free, Ohio History Connection members get free admission to both sites.
Today, there’s a great effort to shine a light on Fort Laurens in time for the 250th celebration by rebuilding part of the original fort. While the entire fort will not be reconstructed, 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. While these soldiers were unable to be identified, there’s a larger effort to record and identify the final resting places of Revolutionary War Patriots buried in Ohio.
In early 2025, America 250-Ohio and the Ohio History Connection committed to begin a campaign to record the gravestones of American Revolutionary War veterans and patriots buried in Ohio. This effort, the first of its kind in the state, calls on all Ohioans to participate in field data collection, this includes YOU! Help us identify, document and map the final resting places of an estimated 7,000 Revolutionary War patriots buried in Ohio. Start by visit ohiohistory.org/ revwargraves. You can see the interactive live results dashboard and gain access to the Grave Marker & Cemetery Collection Portal. Please note, this portal will only remain open through the Spring of 2026. The finalized results of the survey will be published by July 4, 2026.
While the results will be published in July, the Ohio History Connection will continue to update and maintain this important database, providing the public with tools to contribute and ensure the information remains accurate and current.
Join us in this unique opportunity and ensure that the sacrifices of these patriots are remembered for generations to come.
When America turns 250 years old this year, a lot of Americans are going to be celebrating, especially on July 4! Ohioans will be no different. What better day to commemorate than on our nation’s Independence Day? And what better way to celebrate than a picnic?
There will be designated picnic locations across the state, but you can also host your own. Picnics can be large or small, last the whole weekend or just an afternoon. Celebrations may include music, food trucks, local artists or bounce houses. The ideas are endless and can reflect the unique character of your group and location.
You can visit america250-ohio.org/picnic to sign up as a community host. To sign up, you need a point person for the picnic, a time, date and location (they can be subject to change if you’re still gathering the details!) and a rough estimate of attendance.
Hosting a community picnic will give you a listing on the America 250-Ohio website and access to a digital library of materials and templates to support the planning and publicizing of the picnic. You will also receive a community picnic kit with branded materials and activities to facilitate hosting the picnic.
If hosting isn’t your thing, you can join several of the community picnics happening around the state. Several Ohio History Connection sites are planning to host picnics, including:
• The Ohio History Center in Columbus
• Schoenbrunn Village in New Philadelphia
• The Harding Presidential Sites in Marion
• The Newark Earthworks in Newark
• The National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center in Wilberforce
For more information or to get answers to frequently asked questions, check out america250-ohio.org/picnic or scan below! We hope to see you there!
Celebrating July Picnic Style!
Of course, as you might have guessed, we’re celebrating America all year long and a picnic on one day isn’t going to cut it for us. All throughout the month of July, Ohio communities will be gathering food and friends to celebrate our nation's freedom, honor of our nation’s history and Ohio's notable contributions to U.S. history!
PLAN YOUR PICNIC
Buckeye Furnace
1. HANDS-ON INGENUIT Y
Ohio has a rich culture of making, testing and improving daily life. From rubber tires in Akron to glass containers in Toledo, our workshops, businesses and laboratories all help create what you buy and use.
2. THE POWER OF WE
Celebrate the inventors and ideas that changed the world. This “drive your own adventure” experience connects you to the stories and places where you can explore some of the state’s innovation stories.
Invention Lives Here—
Where practical genius goes global.
If you read this guide starting from the cover, having several sub-themes to break down the trail sites will sound familiar. The Innovation Trail focuses more on sorting over 70 sites by region. However, there are several subthemes that you may be able to identify at the sites on your road trip.
Ohio is no stranger to collaboration, especially when it comes to innovation. You’ll discover that on this trail, breakthroughs are built in partnership. One example is Charles Kettering’s Dayton-based Delco team worked with auto engineers and technicians to refine the electric self-starter.
3. INVENTION WITH INTENTION
Necessity is the mother of invention! The best ideas start with filling a need or solving a problem. When Dayton’s Ermal Fraze couldn’t open a beer can, he created the pull-tab that reshaped packaging and convenience. Find stories like this on how Ohioans made life easier.
4. GRIT TO GLORY
Making something that has never existed or improving on what has-been is no easy task! There’s a long cycle of “try-it, fix-it, make it better.” Sherwin-Williams in Cleveland overcame numerous setbacks to successfully create ready-mix paint. Persistence is truly Ohio's hallmark.
There are several Ohio History Connection sites on this trail as well as sites where you can use reciprocal membership benefits (check out page 17 for more details!). Hear about the stories of our nation’s steel industry from the steel workers themselves at the Youngstown Historical Center of Labor & Industry. See how pig iron was made and fueled early American Industrialization at Buckeye Furnace, one of the few reconstructed charcoal-fired blast furnaces. Explore these sites and the additional sites below on the Innovation Trail with your membership:
• Armstrong Air & Space Museum
• Indian Mill
• The Ohio History Center
• The Octagon & Great Circle Earthworks
• Fort Ancient Earthworks
• National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center
• Campus Martius
• National Road & Zane Grey Museum
There are so many sites with inspiring stories of ingenuity and collaboration.
FIND A SITE NEAR YOU and begin your adventure at america250-ohio.org/ ohio-innovation-trail
Great Circle Earthworks
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
4949 Jerome Rd., Maumee 43537
800.860.0149 • ohiohistory.org/fallentimbers
FORT AMANDA MEMORIAL PARK
22800 State Route 198, Lima 45806 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
E. Lakeshore Dr., Kelleys Island 43438
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
Center Mounds/EarthworksMonument/GravesiteNaturalArea/Trails(miles) Gift
Picnicking (*shelter) Restrooms Average Visit Historic Buildings Open to Public
locks
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
Open by appointment
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
SHAKER HISTORICAL MUSEUM
16740 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights 44120 800.860.6078 • ohiohistory.org/shaker
TALLMADGE CHURCH
Open by appointment
115 Tallmadge Cir., Tallmadge 44278 844.288.7710 • ohiohistory.org/tallmadge
YOUNGSTOWN HISTORICAL
151 W. Wood St., Youngstown 44501 330.941.1314 • ohiohistory.org/youngstown
ZOAR VILLAGE
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
740.344.0498 • 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
740.344.0498 • 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
800.653.6446 • 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
740.344.0498 • ohiohistory.org/newark
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
465 Delano Ave., Chillicothe 45601
800.319.7248 • ohiohistory.org/storymound
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
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.
AND SO MUCH MORE!
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