Roscoe Village Offers Education and Entertainment

Imagine a living history community offering glimpses into the past through costumed interpreters, craftsman demonstrators, and old-fashioned shops and restaurants that give a flavor of life in the 1800s. Living history, blooming gardens, shopping, dining, lodging--Historic Roscoe Village offers something for everyone. A restored 1830s canal town, Roscoe is located along what once was the Ohio-Erie Canal. In an effort to enhance its mission to interpret Ohio's Canal Era, each year Roscoe hosts various festivals, special events, and holiday activities that both educate and provide fun entertainment for guests. Set in the heart of Coshocton County, Ohio, Roscoe Village is just 90 minutes east of Columbus and 2 hours south of Cleveland, along State Route 16 and near the junction of U.S. Route 36.

Historic tours through the Village take guests back in time to the slower pace of life in an 1830s canal town. While strolling through the restored living history buildings, guests may see actual artisans at work, including a blacksmith, a weaver, a printer, a cooper, and a broom maker; observe old-time cooking demonstrations; sit in on a reenactment of an 1800s school lesson; view a full-scale canal boat replica; visit the immaculately groomed gardens displaying an array of colors; or participate in hands-on learning demonstrations like candle dipping, tin punching, or weaving.

At the Roscoe Village Visitor Center, find unique hand-crafted items made by Roscoe Village artisans for sale, including candle holders, weavings, wooden toys, rolling pins and other wood items, and brooms. Schedule a special candlelit tour with the group sales staff, or enjoy seasonal tours such as the “Spirit of Roscoe� (available September and October) or “A Roscoe Christmas� (available November and December). Group rates are also available for all tours.

A venue for fine dining and quaint hotel accommodations, the Inn at Roscoe Village contains 51 rooms and an elegant Parlor, featuring Shaker-style furniture, reasonable rates, and quality service in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. Fully handicap-accessible, the Inn has been updated with new furnishings and a wireless Internet service, providing an attractive stay for both the business and pleasure traveler. In addition, the Inn has a variety of banquet, meeting, and private dining rooms for every occasion.

Visitors can browse the old-fashioned shops housed in original 19th century buildings and filled with area crafts, elegant home furnishings, books, baskets, gourmet coffees and foods, and much more. Besides hosting its own shopping establishments, Roscoe is also home to several independently owned and operated businesses. Exquisite jewelry, pottery (including a paint-your-own pottery studio), leather goods, musical instruments, antiques, and hand-made baskets name a few of the original items available at these stores. The Shops of Roscoe Village will open early or stay late to accommodate groups.

While at Roscoe Village, guests can satisfy the most particular of appetites at one of two restaurants. Choose the elegant dining of King Charley's Dining Room and Tavern or the rustic atmosphere of the Old Warehouse Restaurant. For a snack in the midst of enjoying the sights, grab some goodies or a cappuccino or hot chocolate made to order at the Cheesery, Roscoe's gourmet coffee and tea shop.

Also located in Roscoe Village is the Johnson Humrickhouse Museum, an accredited member of the American Association of Museums, which features a Native American Collection, an Americana Collection, an Oriental Gallery, the Eclectic Collection, and special rotating exhibits. In addition, guests can climb aboard the horse-drawn Monticello III for a peaceful 40-minute float down a restored section of the Ohio-Erie Canal. The knowledgeable canal boat captain will entertain your group with long-ago stories and interesting facts about the canal. Group charters are available.

Guests seeking a more active day can journey down the Towpath, a one-mile walking and bicycle trail that runs from Roscoe Village to Coshocton Lake Park. Lake Park features a water park; camping facilities; a variety of nature trails ranging from ½ mile to two miles in length; and paddle boating. Also in Coshocton County, the nearby wineries and the Pomerene Center for the Arts are unique attractions. Roscoe Village is located 30 minutes from the world's largest Amish population in Holmes County, Ohio, and 20 minutes from the village of Dresden, the basket capital and home of the Longaberger Homestead. The Wilds, a wild animal preserve is just down the road, as is Salt Fork State Park. For more information, call Historic Roscoe Village at (800) 877-1830. www.roscoevillage.com.

Angie Ianniello is the Public Relations/Text Coordinator for Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio. Her journalism background and experience in event planning have led Ianniello to speak at several conferences and meetings in the region.