Ohio Has It! Group Travel Guide 2019

OHIO 2019 GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE presented by

WWW.OHIOHASIT.COM

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Explore Ohio’s Ohio’s Lake Lake Erie Erie Shores & Islands!

Make Make planning planning a breeze with one one phone phone call call for customized itineraries itineraries and and services!

Start coasting at groups.SHORESandISLANDS.com Start

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Columbus group tours are designed to be as fun as they are intriguing.

Choose from a variety of guided tours, hands-on tours and the grand opening

this year of the new National Veteran’s Memorial and Museum. For your group’s next memorable getaway, visit experiencecolumbus.com.

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E D U CAT I O NA L E N T E RTA I N M E N T OHIO HAS IT! LISTINGS

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ROGER DUDLEY, PRESIDENT EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS LINDA SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT WARREN COUNTY CVB DENISE MCCONNELL, SECRETARY/ TREASURER RAMADA BY WYNDHAM JUSTIN BAUER KNOX COUNTY CVB SHARRONA BURNS ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME LORI KAPPES ZANESVILLE-MUSKINGUM COUNTY CVB BRIAN SHIFFLET LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS LEIANN STEWART MIAMI COUNTY CVB CHRISSY BLACKWELL VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

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NICHE TRAVEL PUBLISHERS 301 EAST HIGH STREET LEXINGTON, KY 40507

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WELCOME

irthplace of astronauts, inventors, writers and presidents, Ohio has a proud and rich heritage we invite you to discover on your next group tour. Whether you want a science-filled student trip or an experiential adventure for adults, Ohio can offer your group a warm welcome and a plethora of exciting attractions.

We created Ohio Has It! to help serve your group’s needs with travel planning ideas that illustrate the wide scope of quality destinations across the five regions of Ohio. Hopefully, you can use this magazine as a tool when you plan trips to the Buckeye State.

So what is the “it” that Ohio has? Ohio’s “it” factor reaches everything from sleek big city offerings to charming rural towns. It encompasses the state’s hands-on experiences, elegant historic homes, modern galleries and handmade crafts.

Ohio is known for both rock ‘n’ roll and football; Amish communities and roller coasters; award-winning zoos and scenic parks. Each one of Ohio’s five regions showcases different aspects of these unique perspectives.

With this magazine, you can glimpse into the many faces of Ohio, which while they are different, stay unified in their welcoming citizenry and memorable attractions.

So give us a call and let us help plan your next Ohio adventure!

S I N C E R E LY,

THE OHI O H AS I T! TE AM

888-253-0455 WWW.GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

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2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

WHAT YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT Cleveland is true.

ONE OF National Geographic Traveler’s WORLD’S BEST PLACES TO VISIT Join in at This isCLEveland.com | #This isCLE

Contact Cleveland’s Group Tour Team:

Jane Tougouma | Tel: 216.875.6607 | Email: jtougouma@destinationcle.org Denise Krauss | Tel: 216.875.6648 | Email: dkrauss@destinationcle.org

TRACING OHIO’S

ANCESTRY Carlisle Inn Sugarcreek

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Running of the Wieners

Courtesy Dutchman Hospitality

Courtesy Cincinnati USA

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rom Native Americans first migrating into the Ohio lands to the still-thriving Amish communities, Ohio’s melting pot of cultures gives the state a rich cultural identity. Waves of migrations from countries — including Ireland, Germany and England — shaped the character of the Buckeye State.

Today, groups can still enrich themselves in foreign cultures at these heritage attractions across Ohio.

Inscription Rock Courtesy Ohio History Connection

CENTRAL OHIO: I R I S H H E R I TA G E NORTHEAST OHIO: A M I S H H E R I TA G E

More Amish live in Ohio than in any other state in the country. Groups can experience this compelling culture at over a dozen attractions, shops, restaurants and tours in Holmes County, Tuscarawas County and Wayne County, among others.

Dutchman Hospitality Inc. oversees several Amish experiences that work well with touring groups. The company owns several Amish-themed restaurants in the area, all of which focus on family-style meals and buffets with hearty homestyle meals.

The company’s Ohio Star Theater in Sugarcreek offers family-style entertainment such as concerts, musicals and original Amish-themed plays. The 500-seat theater opened in 2017 at Dutch Valley, which houses the Dutch Valley Restaurant, the Carlisle Inn and Dutch Valley Gifts.

Dutch Valley Gifts lets guests roam through a reconverted barn in search of home decor and boutique clothing items. The Sugarcreek Dutch Valley campus can prove a one-stop shop, since the on-site Carlisle Inn offers homey accommodations to make relaxing after an evening event easier.

NORTHWEST OHIO: N AT I V E A M E R I C A N H E R I TA G E

Before European settlers moved in, the Lake Erie region housed the Erie people, an Iroquoian group assimilated into other Native tribes in the mid-17th century. Groups can find out more about the tribe at the newest museum in Ottawa County: the Catawba Island Museum at Union Chapel.

To stretch even further back in time, groups can view Native American petroglyphs at Inscription Rock on Kelleys Island. The site houses one of the finest examples of aboriginal art in the Great Lakes region.

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Dublin, Ohio, held so tightly to its Irish roots over the years that guests can easily imagine themselves in Ireland while attempting some traditional step dancing. Irish Dance 101 leads an hourlong class for demonstrations, a brief history of Irish dance and the opportunity for participants to jump in themselves.

To celebrate the long history of Irish immigration to Ohio, the town hosts the annual three-day Irish Festival in early August for Irish-themed cultural events, singing and dancing.

SOUTHEAST OHIO: E N G L I S H H E R I TA G E

When British immigrants moved into Cambridge, Ohio, they wanted to create a village that reminded them of home. The town’s subsequent Victorian-style buildings inspired the idea to connect with this heritage at the yearly Dickens Victorian Village.

Each November and December, the town creates the illusion that guests have traveled back to 1850s England with 94 scenes that depict aspects of Victorian life. Life-sized and handmade mannequins wearing period attire stand next to plaques that explain how each scene reflects Victorian life.

SOUTHWEST OHIO: G E R M A N H E R I TA G E

Although groups can find evidence of the German immigrants who settled in Ohio at many destinations across Ohio, one city that keeps strong ties to its Deutschland roots is Cincinnati. German restaurants, shopping opportunities and beer reflect this heritage.

The German Heritage Museum explains the history behind the German immigration to the area, and German Heritage Tours guides groups via carriage or walking tours to spots relevant to German-American culture.

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

ROCK & ROLL PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME HALL OF FAME GO ROCK YOURSELF

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd.

Cleveland, OH 44114 216-515-1228

rockhall.com

GREATNESS LIVES HERE

Group packages available for admission to both Halls!

2121 George Halas Drive Canton, Ohio 44708 330-456-8207

ProFootballHOF.com

TASTY TOURS

CULI N A RY EXPERI ENCES Courtesy 1400 Food Lab

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rom cooking classes with professional chefs to fascinating cheese factory tours, groups can find so many ways to engage in Ohio’s thriving food industry. Along the way, they can often sample savory local products like farm-fresh cheese curds, award-winning potato chips and authentic Amish cuisine. For all the culinary enthusiasts out there, these six attractions offer a true taste of Ohioan culture.

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

ENGAGE THE SENSES WITH OHIO’S CULINARY EXPERIENCES 1400 FOOD LAB

GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS

1400 Food Lab is a commercial test kitchen and food experience center where aspiring chefs can develop new concepts and learn from other professionals in the industry as they get their businesses off the ground. More than 100 startup businesses operate in the facility, ranging from food truck owners to bakers to hot-sauce makers and private chefs.

“If it’s happening in food, it’s probably happening here in our kitchen,” said Christine Hawks, private events coordinator at 1400 Food Lab. Groups can take advantage of the broad range of skill sets at hand and schedule a private culinary class or a catered meal. If participants want to learn a specific skill, such as preparing a certain ethnic food, dessert or cocktail, 1400 Food Lab’s event team can help connect them with the best-suited chef on-site. In addition to working one-on-one with local restaurant owners, the experience gives many people the chance to see the inner workings of a commercial kitchen for the first time.

“It’s an opportunity to meet talented chefs before their culinary careers take off,” said Hawks. “Recently, we had a pop-up dinner with one of our chefs, but two years from now, you probably won’t be able to get a seat at his restaurant.”

Courtesy 1400 Food Lab

Above: The creative mural outside 1400 Food Lab reflects the unique cooking experiences found inside.

Opposite page: Private culinary lessons at 1400 Food Lab allow groups to take home new skills.

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www.ohiohasit.com

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TEACHING KITCHEN BOWLING GREEN

Teaching Kitchen is a new immersive culinary program at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green that features cooking classes, catered dinners, tastings and more. The classes are led by a culinary team of six classically trained chefs who bring over 70 years of combined experience to the table.

Members, as well as nonmembers, of the school can engage in the hands-on programs, which cover a broad range of subjects and can often be customized according to interests. Past events have included a grilling class that demonstrated the proper way to place and pair different foods on a grill, and a garden harvest class that showcased quick recipes using five of the most common ingredients found in a garden. One A cooking demonstration popular series focused on cuiat Teaching Kitchen sine from major destinations around the world, such as Madrid, Tuscany and Paris.

“It’s an opportunity to make not just one dish, but also work together as a group to create a whole meal,” said Jon Zachrich, director of marketing and communications at BGSU Dining by Chartwells.

Some participants might worry that the recipes will be too difficult to remember or follow, but the chefs at Teaching Kitchen always cater to new cooks by breaking down the dishes in a simple and entertaining way.

“We have two rules in Teaching Kitchen: One is safety, and the second part is to have fun,” said Zachrich. “We try to make sure that everything we do in the class is something you can repeat at home.”

Groups of 12 to 16 are best, though larger classes can sometimes be accommodated. Planners are asked to get in touch with the dining team at least three or four weeks in advance.

W W W. B G S U D I N I N G. C O M / T E AC H I N G K I T C H E N

Teaching Kitchen’s culinary equipment

Photos courtesy Bowling Green State University

“IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE NOT JUST ONE DISH, BUT ALSO WORK TOGETHER AS A GROUP TO CREATE A WHOLE MEAL.”

— J ON Z ACHRI CH, BGSU DINING BY CHARTWELLS 10

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

Celebrate Life! at Gervasi Vineyard™ Now Open!

The Still House: coffee house, distillery, craft-cocktail lounge

• GROUP FRIENDLY • • DISTILLERY TOURS • • WINERY TOURS • • PROPERTY TOURS • • ITALIAN LUNCHES • • WINE TASTINGS • • BOUTIQUE SHOPPING • • PREMIUM COFFEE •

Experience the beauty of a unique Tuscan-inspired winery resort.

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OHIO VINEYARDS why wine is a fit nectar of the gods at these D iscover interactive and group-friendly Ohio wineries.

Gervasi Vineyard

GERVASI VINEYARD | C A N T O N

The Tuscan-inspired Gervasi Vineyards offers more than award-winning classical European wines. Groups exploring the 55-acre estate can also discover three restaurants, a gift shop, luxurious accommodations, wine tours and cooking classes. A wide range of cooking class topics includes baking bread and preparing chocolate sauces to pair with wine.

The Gervasi Vineyard plans to open a new distillery and boutique hotel to add even more options to the site in 2019.

VINEYARDS AT PINE LAKE | C O L U M B I A N A

The Vineyard at Pine Lake started as a family’s dream.

Today, the site offers not only wine but also scenic lakefront views, a 12,900-square-foot event center and an upcoming restaurant.

The Tasting Room features a modern rustic design with an expansive deck outside on which to sip wine. The vineyard is one of the many on the Youngstown Area Wine Trail.

Courtesy Gervasi Vineyard

DEBONNE VINEYARDS | M A D I S O N

COMMEMORATIVE BOWLING GREEN COVER

Best Hometowns

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THE BEAUTY. THE ADVENTURE. THE FUN.

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Open May 1 - Oct. 27, 2019.

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Costumed interpreters, craftsmen & special events all season.

Magazine

BOWLING GREEN merges college town energy with a strong sense of community spirit

Harvest time at Vineyards at Pine Lake

Beautiful 98 room country inn with indoor pool and hot tub.

350 seat restaurant with homestyle buffet and menu options. Open year round.

Special programs and group packages available.

Call Groups Sales to plan your trip.

NW OHIO

22611 State Route 2, Archbold, OH 800.590.9755 SauderVillage.org

The largest estate winery in Ohio boasts over 175 acres of vines. The winery is in the Grand River Valley region, which benefits wine growers because of a climate moderated by the thermal effect of eastern Lake Erie.

Debonne offers a variety of nearly 40 wines. Groups can enjoy the winery’s outdoor patio, hillside tables, live entertainment, restaurant and attached microbrewery.

Fall Recipes:GRANVILLE’S 1

S E P T E M B E R 2016

ORCHARD HOUSE B&B SHARES FAVORITE AUTUMN DISHES

For Find it BG! 1-800-866-0046 or VisitBGOhio.com Calendar, Map & App at GoBGOhio.com Courtesy Vineyards at Pine Lake

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2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

KITCHENAID

GREENVILLE

Anyone who has spent time in a kitchen has probably picked up a KitchenAid product at some point. The ubiquitous logo can be found on everything from major machines like microwaves, dishwashers and ovens to countertop appliances like hand mixers, food processors and kettles.

Greenville has been the proud home of this successful brand since 1941. Groups can learn more about the quality and craftsmanship that define KitchenAid products at the KitchenAid Experience retail center in Greenville’s historic downtown. Inside, visitors can browse the latest KitchenAid products for sale and participate in a free cooking demonstration to see some of these premium cooking gadgets in action. The retail center also houses a small museum with vintage advertisements and artifacts.

Nearby, the KitchenAid factory offers free one-hour tours that showcase the entire manufacturing process, from construction to painting and assembly. A member of the production team leads the way through the facility, sharing stories about company history and introducing visitors to some of the hardworking individuals who bring KitchenAid products to life. Participants must be at least 12 years old, and groups of eight or more are asked to call in advance to schedule an appointment.

W W W. K I T C H E N A I D. C O M

A KitchenAid factory tour Courtesy KitchenAid Experience

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GRANNY BALLREICH’S COMPANY STORE TIFFIN

Granny Ballreich’s Company Store

Courtesy Destination Seneca County

Granny Ballreich’s award-winning potato chips have been a trademark of Tiffin for nearly 100 years. In 1920, Fred and Ethel Ballreich founded their humble business in a dirt-floor garage using a copper kettle heated with wood scraps. At the time, the exhaustive process of peeling, slicing and frying the potatoes by hand yielded only about 14 pounds of chips per day. Fred’s brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Emma Ballreich, soon joined the operation and moved in next door.

With their help, the Ballreichs were able to build a small factory behind the house and increase production to 450 pounds of chips per day.

Granny Ballreich’s potato chips continue to be a local favorite, and visitors can stop by the company store in Carl and Emma Ballreich’s former home to sample flavors such as Smoky Sweet Mesquite, Ghost Pepper Jack, Dill Pickle Chips, and Salt and Vinegar.

“Sometimes during the summer when you’re on the east side of town, you know the factory is up and running because you can smell potato chips everywhere,” said Brittany Cook, marketing director at Destination Seneca County.

Other available products include pretzel sticks, popcorn, tortilla chips, pork rinds and specialty dips. Though groups cannot enter the factory because of health code regulations, they can watch a video in the company store that shows detailed footage of the production process and discusses the history of the family-owned business.

W W W. B A L L R E I C H . C O M

“SOMETIMES DURING THE SUMMER WHEN YOU’RE ON THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN, YOU KNOW THE FACTORY IS UP AND RUNNING BECAUSE YOU CAN SMELL POTATO CHIPS EVERYWHERE.” Begin your Irish adventure at www.VisitDublinOhio.com 614.792.7666

— BRI T TAN Y COOK, DESTINATION SENECA COUNTY

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2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

DUTCH KITCHEN

D A LT ON

Nestled in the heart of Amish country, Dutch Kitchen gives groups the chance to enjoy family-style Amish cooking in a beautiful mid19th-century Victorian farmhouse. The restaurant offers proximity to several other popular stops in the region, such as Lehman’s Hardware Store, P. Graham Dunn and the J.M. Smucker Company Store and Cafe.

Though the farmhouse has undergone many renovations and expansions over the years, it continues to provide a friendly, laid-back atmosphere with warm Victorian decor and authentic Amish cuisine. The restaurant’s family-style dinners are modeled after traditional Amish family meals with homemade bread and apple butter; mashed potatoes, corn or green beans; and a choice of chicken, ham, roast beef or turkey.

Guests will also find many classic Amish items on the buffet, like pickled eggs and graham cracker pudding. One of Dutch Kitchen’s most beloved features is the on-site bakery, where visitors can sample a bite of custard pie, fill their own cream stick or pick up a loaf of fresh pumpkin bread for the road.

Just beyond the farmhouse, the Banquet Cottage offers a cozy event venue for up to 60 guests. The newly renovated Banquet and Event Center across the driveway can host up to 200 guests for special events.

Pearl Valley Cheese

W W W. D U T C H K I T C H E N . N E T Courtesy Pearl Valley Cheese

PEARL VALLEY CHEESE

FRESNO

Based in the beautiful rolling hills of Coshocton County, Pearl Valley Cheese has produced award-winning Swiss and Colby cheeses for over 80 years. The business began in 1928, when Swiss immigrant Ernest Stalder purchased a small stone building near Fresno and started making 200-pound wheels of cheese in a large copper kettle.

Today, the family-owned factory produces over 25,000 pounds of cheese each day, making it one of the largest and most successful cheese manufacturers in the state.

Part of the company’s success stems from its dedication to quality and environmental sustainability. Pearl Valley Cheese purchases fresh milk from 50 small farms within a 50-mile radius of the factory. After some of the cream is separated from the milk to create low-fat cheeses, the cream is then sent to a local creamery to make hand-rolled Amish Country Butter.

Cheese lovers can visit the company’s 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and retail store to watch the cheese making in action and sample over 30 varieties of cheese, including awardwinning flavors such as Smoked Swiss, Explore 16 authentic Shawshank Redemption filming sites Chipotle Pepper Jack and Colby Marble.

Get busy living and join fans from around the world for The In addition to its regular line of cheeses, Shawshank Redemption 25th Anniversary celebration with Pearl Valley Cheese also produces fresh events, tours, and celebrity appearances, August 16-18, 2019. cheese curds and summer sausages.

ESCAPE TO SHAWSHANK

ShawshankTrail.com group travel-DM-shank1018.indd 2

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W W W. P E A R LVA L L E YC H E E S E . C O M 10/22/18 9:01 PM

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

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oy Tour and Travel has been fulfilling travel dreams since 1985 as a tour operator, travel agency and receptive operator! We are a proud co-owner of Travel Alliance Partners (TAP). Fully bonded and insured, we are specialists in many areas of travel. Our primary area of expertise is customized group travel. Our staff has traveled extensively to bring you first-hand knowledge of the world.

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THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES • American Legacies in Ohio • A Touch of Irish Charm • Ohio Amish Heartland

OHIO Historic Dublin Courtesy Joy Tour and Travel

www.ohiohasit.com

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OHIO TRAILS: SPIRITS drinks handcrafted in Ohio while learning about the E njoy Buckeye state on these spirits-focused trails.

Celtic Cocktails Trail

CELTIC COCKTAILS TRAIL | D U B L I N

Drinks such as the Celtic Cosmo, the Copperless Irish Mule and the Dublin Irish Red tempt travelers on the Celtic Cocktails Trail. The trail highlights 11 Irish-themed libations that showcase some of Dublin’s highest-rated restaurants and pubs. Participants that stop for five original Celtic cocktails can redeem a commemorative koozie.

One of the stops, the Dublin Village Tavern, serves Emerald Isle-inspired dishes, including the Irish Kettle Dinner, Irish Egg Rolls and Irish Sliders.

WHISKEY, WINE AND ALE TRAIL | D A R K E C O U N T Y

Three wineries, two breweries and a distillery each showcase individual origin stories and flavors. They also come together to form the Darke County Whiskey, Wine and Ale Trail.

The trail’s Indian Creek Distillery concocts liquor from the state’s oldest distillery. Other highlights include award-winning wines at the Winery at Versailles and a converted dairy barn venue at Tailspin Brewing Company.

WINE AND ALE TRAIL | R I C H L A N D C O U N T Y

Courtesy Dublin CVB

Wine and Ale Trail

Whiskey, Wine and Ale Trail Courtesy Visit Darke County

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A brewery housed in a former mortuary or a drink that pays tribute to the locally filmed movie “The Shawshank Redemption” keeps tours interesting along the Wine and Ale Trail in Richland County. The trail’s seven sites offer a wide variety of stops that include a brewing company and a house and wine bar.

The Phoenix Brewing Company offers handcrafted beers and regional foods in the restored chapel of a former funeral home and mortuary. The brick walls and tabletops recycled from bowling alley lanes keep the atmosphere friendly while serving Ohio drafts on 16 taps.

Courtesy Destination Mansfield/Richland Co.

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

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Our Our2019 2019 schedule scheduleis isfilling filling upup with withTheater wholesome wholesome entertainment including including toptop Experience the 500-seat state-of-the-art Ohio Star on entertainment the Dutch Valley Campus in singers, singers,entertainers, entertainers, hithit musicals musicals and andmore ——we weare areexcited excited totooffer offer this thisamazing amazingvenue venuetotoour our Sugarcreek, Ohio. Our 2019 schedule ismore filling up with wholesome entertainment including top guests. guests.Visit VisitOhioStarTheater.com OhioStarTheater.com fora complete a complete schedule schedule and and up-to-date theaternews. news.to our singers, entertainers, hit musicals andformore — we are excited toup-to-date offer this theater amazing venue guests. Visit OhioStarTheater.com for a complete schedule and up-to-date theater news.

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ILLUSTRIOUS TO

INFAMOUS

HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES Courtesy Ohio History Connection

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s the birthplace of aviation and seven U.S. presidents, Ohio carries many rich historical qualities. Visitors will discover unique and fascinating sites such as countryside castles, a living-history village and one of the only existing dungeons in the country. And though history museums may not be for everyone, travelers would be hardpressed not to find something of interest in a museum with one of the rarest collections of period costumes in the world.

Groups should consider adding one of the following intriguing historical attractions the next time they travel through the Buckeye State.

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

FROM PRESIDENTIAL HOMES TO DUNGEONS, OHIO’S HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS FASCINATE DAYTON AVIATION HERITAGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK DAY T ON

Self-taught engineers Wilbur and Orville Wright made history in 1903 when they successfully designed and flew the world’s first practical aircraft. Just two years later, they perfected their design with the launch of the Wright Flyer III at Huffman Prairie Flying Field, which later became the world’s first airport. Groups can visit this historic airfield and other sites when they retrace the footsteps of these aviation pioneers at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio.

The park encompasses five National Historic Landmarks: the Wright Cycle Company Building, Huffman Prairie Flying Field, Hoover Block, Hawthorn Hill and the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial. At the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, visitors can learn about the Wright brothers’ printing business and friendship with African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was one of the first African-American writers to receive national acclaim.

Groups can learn more about Dunbar’s legacy at the Paul Dunbar State Memorial, a home he shared with his mother in west Dayton.

Other must-see attractions include Orville Wright’s Georgian GreekRevival home of Hawthorn Hill and the 1905 Wright Flyer III, which is now on display in Carillon Historical Park.

Courtesy Dayton CVB

Above: The 1905 Wright Flyer III is an important historic artifact on display at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

Opposite page: The Ohio Village in Columbus lets visitors experience the state’s past with costumed interpreters and a re-created historic town to explore.

W W W. N P S. G O V/ D A AV

www.ohiohasit.com

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HISTORIC JAIL AND DUNGEON TOUR FREMONT

It is not every day that travelers have the opportunity to step into an authentic dungeon cell or walk through a jail attached to a Victorian manor. Less than 30 minutes from Cedar Point Amusement Park, the small town of Fremont offers one of the most unforgettable experiences in Sandusky County: the Historic Jail and Dungeon Tour.

The tour begins at the historic Sandusky County jail, which connects to a beautiful Victorian-style home and tower that once served as the sheriff’s residence. A guide leads the group through the offices now housed inside the building to access the impressive threestory jail behind it and discuss Historic Jail and Dungeon Tour some of its colorful history.

Afterward, visitors can make their way next door to the Courtesy Sandusky County CVB courthouse for the main highlight of the tour: an 1840s dungeon. During the mid-19th century, Sandusky County law officials built the dungeon in the courthouse basement and used it as the only jail system in the county for over a decade. Today, it stands as one of the few existing dungeons in the nation.

“People are amazed by the dungeon. You go in there and it’s like walking back in time. The doorways are much lower than what you would expect because people weren’t as tall in the 1840s,” said Peggy Courtney, executive director of the Sandusky County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

On the third floor of the courthouse, groups can also visit the Gallows Exhibition, which explores the history of the jail and penal system during the 1800s. If groups have extra time, they may enjoy the Saints and Sinners Tour, which combines the jail and dungeon experience with a tour of some of the Warren G. Harding Home charming old churches in the county.

W W W . S A N D U S K Y C O U N T Y. O R G

Mac-O-Chee Castle

Courtesy Marion Area CVB

“PEOPLE ARE AMAZED BY THE DUNGEON. YOU GO IN THERE AND IT’S LIKE WALKING BACK IN TIME. THE DOORWAYS ARE MUCH LOWER THAN WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT BECAUSE PEOPLE WEREN’T AS TALL IN THE 1840S.”

— PEGG Y COUR TNE Y, SANDUSKY COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 22

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

PIATT CASTLES WEST LIBERTY

During the 1820s, Judge Benjamin and Elizabeth Barnett Piatt moved their family from Cincinnati to the scenic countryside of Logan County. Several decades later, two of their children, Donn and Abram S. Piatt, returned to the region where they had spent their childhoods and constructed two beautiful farm manors called Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, these structures stand as striking examples of early-19thcentury Americana, with unusual architectural features such as frescoed ceilings, parquet floors, detailed woodwork and limestone exteriors. A stroll across the lovely grounds provides a rare glimpse into what the Mad River Valley may have looked like 100 years ago.

Groups can take a self-guidCourtesy Piatt Castles ed tour through the castles, which showcase over 200 years of local history through artifacts, photographs and exhibits.

Though most visitors explore the buildings on their own, there are knowledgeable staff on-site to answer questions and provide other helpful information. Many groups combine their visit with a tour of the Ohio Caverns in West Liberty.

W W W. P I AT T C A S T L E S. O R G

WARREN G. HARDING HOME AND LIBRARY/ MUSEUM MARION

In 1891, Warren G. and Florence Harding moved into an elegant middle-class home in Marion, where they remained until their deaths nearly 30 years later. During the election of 1920, people traveled from all over the country to the front lawn of the Harding home to hear Harding speak during his famous “front porch” campaign. He eventually won the election in a landslide victory, becoming the 29th president of the United States.

“The front porch campaign was very unique and certainly makes the front porch of the Harding home one of the most significant porches in America,” said Mark Holbrook, director of the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Following Florence Harding’s death in 1924, the home and its contents were donated to the Harding Memorial Association, which preserved and later reopened the site as a public museum. Thanks to the association’s efforts, the Harding Home now contains a remarkable collection of over 5,000 original items, including 300 items from Harding’s days in the White House. www.ohiohasit.com

Book Your

Presidential Experience

at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum Canton, Ohio • Unique Dining Packages for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner • Meet President McKinley • Guided Tours of the McKinley Gallery and Street of Shops • Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the McKinley National Memorial • Custom Made Souvenirs in the Museum Shoppe • Planetarium Shows Available • Special Pricing for Motorcoach Groups • Easy access off I-77 and FREE PARKING! • Minutes from the Pro Football Hall of Fame For reservations contact Director of Education Christopher Kenney 330-455-7043 • education@mckinleymuseum.org For more information visit our website: www.McKinleyMuseum.org

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OHIO TRAILS: HISTORY roups can follow routes of the Underground Railroad or familiar historic settings from a famous film on these G trails preserving the state’s intriguing past.

Ohio Village

CLERMONT COUNTY FREEDOM TRAIL | CLERMONT COUNT Y

A significant number of Clermont County citizens aided the escape of enslaved African-Americans during the 19th century. The Clermont County Freedom Trail comprises 33 sites pertaining to this history, 19 of which are listed on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom list. The trail now contains the largest number of approved sites in the nation.

One of the highlights, the U.S. Grant Birthplace, honors the general who helped make the Underground Railroad obsolete. The site marks Ulysses S. Grant’s journey from Ohioan to Civil War general to president.

THE SHAWSHANK TRAIL | RICHLAND COUNT Y

Groups can relive the touching movie “The Shawshank Redemption” as they retrace Hollywood’s steps along the Shawshank Trail. The trail comprises 15 sites from the movie, including the formidable Ohio State Reformatory.

The Ohio State Reformatory remains an impressive structure whether groups have seen the film or not. The Victorian Gothic-style jail houses the world’s tallest freestanding steel cellblock.

OHIO HISTORY CONNECTION | COLUMBUS Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Although not technically a trail, the Ohio History Connection oversees more than 50 historic attractions across the Buckeye State. The organization can aid groups looking to add some educational elements to their tour with its online Museum and Historic Site Locator and knowledgeable staff.

The Ohio History Center serves as the organization’s headquarters and a place for groups to gain a comprehensive understanding of Ohio’s history. The on-site Ohio Village features a re-created 19th-century community with a town hall, a bicycle shop and a pavilion with old-fashioned games guests can try.

Cranston Memorial Presbyterian Church

Ohio State Reformatory Courtesy Destination Mansfield

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Courtesy Clermont County CVB

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

“The home is so complete, it’s like the Hardings just left to do something and you happened to walk into their home,” said Holbrook.

At present, the property is undergoing extensive renovations, with plans to restore the home and build an adjacent museum by the spring of 2020. The presidential library and museum will feature several exhibits on Harding’s political career, a visitors center and a large event space that can be used for luncheons and seminars. The project also includes plans to renovate the press house behind the home, which Harding built as a place for journalists to work during his campaign.

Upon completion, the Harding Museum will become the 20th presidential library in the country, joining three other presidential libraries in the state dedicated to James Garfield, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. Groups can easily plan a travel itinerary around these fascinating sites.

“It’s a great opportunity for groups to learn about four presidents within a four- or five-day trip,” said Holbrook.

W W W. H A R D I N G H O M E . O R G

Historic Zoar Village Courtesy Tuscarawas County CVB

ZOAR VILLAGE

ZOAR

Tracing over two centuries of history, Zoar Village was established in 1817 by a small group of German separatists fleeing religious persecution. Their communal society thrived for over 80 years, making it one of the most successful communal settlements in American history.

Nearly 75 families continue to live in this sprawling 19th-century village. Though some of the buildings are privately owned, others are open to the public as museums and historic sites, among them the bakery, the blacksmith shop and the Zoar Hotel. In addition, there are costumed interpreters stationed throughout the village to welcome visitors and share local history.

“One of the great things about Zoar is that it’s not just a historical site; it’s still a functional village with residents and a post office, fire department, school and church,” said Julie Levengood Stephon, group tour manager at the Tuscarawas County Conventions and Visitors Bureau. www.ohiohasit.com

Visit

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VOTED

In the heart of the village, the Zoar Gardens wind around a large pine tree, creating a scenic spot for group photographs. The tree represents Christ, and the smaller surrounding shrubs symbolize the Disciples of Christ.

Visitors can spend an afternoon exploring the town, and then walk or bike along the river to Fort Laurens, the only Revolutionary War fort in the state. Groups can also take advantage of guided excursions such as golf cart tours and ghost tours, or sign up for specialty workshops on subjects like rug weaving, blacksmithing and needlepoint.

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Kent State University Museum’s exhibit on suit design

A glass exhibit at Kent State University Museum

Photos courtesy Kent State University

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM KENT

On the campus of Kent State University, one of the largest universities in the state, the Kent State University Museum is a hidden gem for those who love learning about fashion through the ages. The museum’s exquisite collection encompasses over 40,000 period costumes and accessories, along with textiles, glass pieces, furniture and other decorative arts. It is considered one of the finest collections of period clothing in the country.

Throughout the colorful displays, visitors can learn how historical events like World War II shaped the world of fashion and admire the red-carpet flair of Hollywood stars like Katharine Hepburn. In addition to the permanent displays, several traveling exhibitions visit the museum throughout the year. In the “Fashion Timeline” exhibition, groups can experience the evolution of styles and silhouettes throughout two centuries of fashion.

“Beyond the Suit: Contemporary Menswear From the Collection of Alexandre Marr and Dominic Iudiciani” examines current trends in male fashion, and “Glass: Selections From the Kent State University Museum Collection” showcases stunning glassworks from the Roman era to the 10th century. “Beyond the Suit” and “Glass” will remain on display until June 30, 2019.

After a guided tour, groups can stop by the museum’s wonderful gift shop to browse art, jewelry, books and other fashion-related items.

W W W. K E N T. E D U / M U S E U M 2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

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Why not begin your day at an old firehouse with hand-crafted brew and BBQ catered by a local favorite, feel “centered” with goat yoga at Honey Sweetie Acres, or enjoy the city Darke lights at BLINK Cincinnati? There are many tours to discover in Clermont County!

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UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TOUR - Visit the National Underground Railroad

Freedom Center in Cincinnati, then explore up to 19 National Park Services Network to Freedom Sites in the historic towns of Clermont County.

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SIGNATURE MUSEUMS draws in the crowds to explore some of its O hio world-class museums.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME | CANTON

A 1920 meeting in downtown Canton led to the founding of the National Football League (NFL). This influential meeting is one of the reasons the Pro Football Hall of Fame now stands in the Ohio town. The game fans love to obsess over comes to life for visitors in a Super Bowl Theater and other interactive exhibits.

In 2015, the museum opened a new exhibit with a virtual athletic training room for attendees to experience behind-the-scenes activities at NFL games. Groups can opt for a museum tour to learn some behind-the-scenes information on the Hall of Fame’s collection and exhibits.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE | DAYTON

U.S. Air Force Museum Courtesy U.S. Air Force Museum

The B-17 Memphis Belle was the first U.S. Air Force heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. In May, it became the museum’s newest addition, surrounded by interactive displays and archival film footage related to the plane’s past.

The museum contains a wide range of more than 360 aerospace vehicles. Flight simulators, engineering stations and virtual-reality experiences let guests leave with a new appreciation for members of the U.S. Air Force.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME | CLEVELAND

Whether visitors prefer Elvis, the Beatles or Madonna, they will find the exhibit that leaves them giddy with excitement at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Inside an architectural marvel of two glass pyramids, the site offers seven floors of exhibits that can take enthusiasts an entire day to explore.

Groups witness how rock ’n’ roll seeps into a range of musical genres with interactive exhibits such as the “Roots of Rock and Roll.” Other exhibits hone in on the individual performers.

Opening Spring, 2020 Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum

Opening Spring, 2019 Newly restored Home of President Warren G. Harding

And ask about our multi-day Ohio Presidents itineraries - four presidential sites in as little as five days. visitmarionohio.com 800-371-6688 28

NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM | COLUMBUS

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum tells stories to honor the more than 20 million living veterans in the United States. Opened in October 2018, the museum gives examples of how military service altered the lives of veterans from privates to generals.

Groups can listen to firsthand accounts from veterans with video interviews before reflecting at the 2.5-acre Memorial Grove outside the museum.

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

New Group Tour Offering Ohio History Center, Columbus

It’s impossible to tell the American story without understanding the history of Ohio sports.

• Explore a new and exciting interactive exhibit.

• Listen to over 70 stories covering more than 25 sports.

• View items that capture the emotion of Ohio sports.

• Share your sport stories and add photos to the exhibit.

• Up to 25 people per tour.

• $2 per person, in addition to group admission • 30-minute block per tour

OHIO HISTORY CENTER I-71 & 17th Avenue (Exit 111) Columbus, Ohio 43211-2474 ohiohistory.org

ON EXHIBIT

OPENS MARCH 16, 2019–SEPT. 2020

To book your visit, contact our Scheduling Office: reservations@ohiohistory.org • ohiohistory.org/gtl 800.686.1541 • 614.297.2663

HEARTLAND MASTERPIECES

ART MUSEUMS Courtesy Cincinnati Art Museum

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rt museums showcase some of the richest aspects of culture, from powerful emotions and beliefs to social and political trends. In addition to browsing world-class exhibitions, groups can engage with art in new and meaningful ways through behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on workshops and docent-led discussions. If you are looking for a memorable and moving experience to add to your travel itinerary, consider a trip to one of Ohio’s most outstanding art museums.

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

OHIO’S ART MUSEUMS IMPRESS WITH SHOWSTOPPING WORKS COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART COLUMBUS

Rated the No. 1 cultural destination and art museum in Columbus, the Columbus Museum of Art draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. With an emphasis on creating great experiences with art, the museum caters to all ages with fun family programing, art book clubs, jazz concerts, workshops and more.

“We have all sorts of ways for people to interact and connect with the art, and I think that’s one of the things that makes us unique,” said Melissa Ferguson, director of marketing and communications at the museum.

One of the largest and most impressive pieces on display is a sculpture called “Spirit” by Mel Chin that spans the length of an entire room. The display involves a looming barrel balanced on a tightrope of grass and grain, symbolizing the tenuous relationship between industrial and agricultural America during the age of western expansion. Another popular piece is “Nocturne Navigator” by Alison Saar, a large-scale sculpture of a blue woman in a bell skirt staring upward in an allusion to the constellations that once led slaves northward to freedom. Visitors may also recognize the colorful work of Kehinde Wiley, the artist responsible for President Barack Obama’s official portrait. Wiley’s massive hanging portrait “Portrait of Andries Stilte II” is on display in the Walter Wing.

Once a month, the museum hosts a public event called Think Like an Artist Thursdays, during which guests can create art, sip on craft beers or cocktails and tap their toes to live music.

Courtesy Columbus Museum of Art

Above: The Columbus Museum of Art’s Walter Wing opened in 2015 to much acclaim for its contemporary design.

Opposite page: The Cincinnati Art Museum draws many big-name touring exhibitions, including one featuring Van Gogh’s “Undergrowth with Two Figures.”

W W W. C O L U M B U S M U S E U M . O R G www.ohiohasit.com

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Hand Crafted SINCE

1809

CANTON MUSEUM OF ART CANTON

Though small, the Canton Museum of Art is a cultural gem for art lovers in the Canton and Cleveland area, playing host to several nationally acclaimed traveling exhibits throughout the year.

One of the traveling exhibits includes “Eclectic Threads” by Marty Young, which uses vintage wall quilts and dolls to create vivid fiber art displays. “Spirit of Clay” features a beautiful selection of clay works from the museum’s permanent collection.

The museum is widely known for its diverse offering of art classes and programs that cater to visitors of all ages and cover subjects such as ceramics, digital photography, jewelry, drawing and classic oil painting. During a popular adult program called “Uncorked: Wine and Paint,” guests can enjoy wine, music and art with their friends as they re-create a masterpiece painting under the guidance of an instructor.

Guided tours can be arranged for groups of 12 to 60 individuals, with free admission for students and chaperones. Many visitors enjoy closing out their tour with a 45-minute studio art lesson.

W W W. C A N T O N A R T. O R G

An art class at the Canton Museum of Art

Butler Institute of American Art Courtesy Canton Museum of Art

Courtesy Butler Institute of American Art

BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART YOUNGSTOWN

1-877-643-8824 VisitAmishCountry.com 32

Known worldwide as America’s Museum, the Butler Institute of American Art opened in 1919 as the first museum dedicated exclusively to American art.

The museum resides in an impressive marble structure just off the campus of Youngstown State University.

“The facade of the building is a masterpiece in itself,” said Wendy Swick, public relations coordinator at the museum.

The free museum welcomes community members and other guests to enjoy its primary collection, temporary exhibitions, lecture series and other programs throughout the year. It recently acquired an adjacent church property to house Americana and Folk-Art galleries, which connect to the main facility through a skywalk.

Some of the most beloved masterpieces on display in the museum are “Snap the Whip” by Winslow Homer, “Lincoln the Rail Splitter” by Norman Rockwell and “Pennsylvania Coal Town” by Edward Hopper. A Vincent van Gogh painting called “In the Dunes” is now on loan to the museum as well.

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

In addition to complimentary guided tours, youth and senior citizen groups can take advantage of free community programming on Thursdays each month. Stroller Art invites parents to take their young children on a gallery tour in their strollers, followed by a brief art activity and refreshments for the caregivers. Young Friend Adventures is a similar program for preschool-age children. During Senior Art and Learn, senior citizens can enjoy an exclusive tour of a gallery or exhibition, followed by a docent-led discussion, art activity and breakfast in the cafe.

Every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. in the Beecher Center Zona Auditorium, the museum presents an Art on Film series that features documentaries on art history, famous artists and other subjects. Guests can also sign up for a variety of art classes for children, teens and adults that explore specialized subjects like painting, pottery, comics drawing, portraits, mixed media and greeting card design.

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Courtesty American Legacy Tours

OHIO TRAILS: SHOPPING of generic souvenirs, groups can find one-of-a-kind, Instead handcrafted items on these retail-themed trails.

Wayne County’s P. Graham Dunn Factory Store

MADE IN WAYNE COUNTY TRAIL | WAYNE COUNT Y

Practical appliances from yesteryear, Amish products, vintage toys and collectibles entice groups to Lehman’s Hardware in Wayne County. The popular old-time hardware store is just one of the standout stops along the Made in Wayne County Trail.

The trail’s 31 shops offer rare items that reflect the area’s focus on agriculture and Amish-quality products. Visits to at the trail’s P. Graham Dunn Factory Store and J.M. Smucker Store come with both gift ideas and tours spotlighting the stores’ behind-the-scenes operations.

COSHOCTON ANTIQUE AND UNIQUE SHOPPING TRAIL | COSHOCTON Ohio-made items and farmhouse decor line the shelves at the 12 shops on the Coshocton Antique and Unique Shopping Trail. Group leaders planning a getaway can choose from an assortment of store products, such as old-fashioned candy at the Roscoe General Store and upcycled items at Treasure Hunt Antiques.

At the Unusual Junction, travelers can browse through a country store housed in a restored railroad depot with train cars set up alongside as props.

Courtesy Wayne County CVB

RETAIL THERAPY ON OHIO’S RAMBLIN’ ROAD TRIP | LOGAN, UNION AND CHAMPAIGN COUNTIES Tourism departments in Logan, Union and Champaign counties teamed up to help groups enjoy shopping without boundaries on Ohio Ramblin’ Road Trip’s Retail Therapy trail.

Plenty of antiques await at shops like The Boston, which is the largest antique store in west-central Ohio.

Buckeye Spirit offers all things Ohio with Ohio-labeled souvenirs and locally made items.

Ravens Glenn Winery in Coshocton

Downtown Urbana Courtesy Champaign Co. COC VB

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Courtesy Coshocton CVB

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

ZANESVILLE MUSEUM OF ART

ZANESVILLE

Founded in 1936, the Zanesville Museum of Art contains 18 galleries with more than 7,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative works. The museum features four to six rotating exhibitions each year, including the Ohio Annual Exhibition, which showcases nearly 200 of Ohio’s finest artists.

“The museum is really wonderful for a community of 26,000 people,” said Laine Snyder, executive director of the museum. “We’ve got an extraordinary collection with 18 galleries and works from artists like Rembrandt and Rubens. When people come across it off of the interstate, we often hear things like ‘Oh my gosh, this is such a hidden gem.’”

In addition to viewing the Arts of Ohio Galleries, groups can also admire the works of local artists in the upcoming “Watercolor Paintings From the Cleveland School: An Urban Life,” which runs through March 9.

The Cleveland School of artists was a group of prominent watercolorists in Cleveland that worked from the late 1800s to 1960s. Asia, Africa and Europe are also represented in the museum’s globally diverse collection.

On the third Tuesday of each month, the museum sponsors a program at the Weasel Boy Brewing Company called Art on Tap, where groups can socialize, create art and drink craft beers. During Adventurous Palette: Cocktails and Canvas, participants can learn how to recreate one of the art pieces from the permanent collection while enjoying wine, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Zanesville Museum of Art

Courtesy Zanesville Museum of Art

W W W. Z A N E S V I L L E A R T. O R G

MIX, MATCH, & SPRINKLE IN LOTS OF FUN Bring your next group to Butler County, Ohio to experience one-of-a-kind attractions and activities, like the delicious Butler County Donut Trail. With completely personalized group tours, your group will experience something new, unique, and memorable.

Butler County is the place to be, let us show you why!

Start Planning at TravelButlerCounty.com/Group-Tour or 888-462-2282 www.ohiohasit.com

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CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM

CINCINNATI

Overlooking the city from a hill in Eden Park, the Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States. It features a vast, encyclopedic collection of more than 67,000 artifacts and 6,000 years of history, with Cincinnati Art Museum items such as contemporary photography, Egyptian mummies, period fashion, impressionist paintings, sculpture and furniture.

“We really have a diverse range of art here. It’s truly an underappreciated treasure,” said Jill Dunne, director of marketing and communications at the museum.

In 2018, the Cincinnati Art A fashion exhibit at the Museum welcomed back the Cincinnati Art Museum beloved Van Gogh painting “Undergrowth With Two Figures” into its permanent collection. The painting was one of the final works completed by the famed impressionist artist.

Groups can mark their calendars for several upcoming exhibitions in 2019. Featured from March 1 through May 12, “Paris 1900: City of Entertainment” will transport viewers into the romance and glamour of the Parisian Belle Époque. “Art Academy of Cincinnati at 150: A Celebration in Drawings and Prints” will run from February 1 through April 28 and will be followed by “Kimono Refashioned” from June 28 to September 15.

On the last Friday of each month, the museum opens the galleries to the public in the evening for Art After Dark, a free event with games, art activities, refreshments and live entertainment. Other community programs include lectures, gallery talks, A children’s program at the Cincinnati Art Museum workshops and film series.

W W W. C I N C I N N AT I A R T M U S E U M . O R G

Photos courtesy Cincinnati Art Museum

“WE REALLY HAVE A DIVERSE RANGE OF ART HERE. IT’S TRULY AN UNDERAPPRECIATED TREASURE.”

— JILL DUNNE, CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM 36

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

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HOMESTEAD FURNITURE | HOLMES COUNT Y

When people hear that a product is Amish made, it becomes more desirable because of the Amish’s reputation for crafting quality, long-lasting products. Homestead Furniture in Holmes County offers the area’s largest selection of Amish and American-made hardwood furniture, upholstery and accessories.

What items Homestead doesn’t make on-site it gathers from within a 30-mile radius. Groups can tour the furniture factory to learn the manufacturing care that goes into each piece of furniture.

CARMAZZI’S CANDY AND GENERAL STORE | URBANA

Opened 120 years ago, Carmazzi’s Candy and General Store in Urbana still retains plenty of charm with such wide-ranging products as movie theater candy and automotive supplies.

The historic store specializes in vintage candies that groups love to reminisce about or discover for the first time.

The store’s shelves also hold fresh peanuts, gift baskets, pastries and deli sandwiches.

Courtesy Homestead Furniture

CASTLE NOEL | MEDINA

Visitors can’t help but feel the holiday spirit when they walk into Castle Noel in Media. Inside a former church, the store is as America’s largest year-round indoor Christmas entertainment attraction.

Authentic props from Christmas movies encourage chuckles, among them Eddy’s infamous recreational vehicle from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and the slide from “A Christmas Story.”

Toy Land allows shoppers to relive their childhoods with favorite toys from Christmases past.

Castle Noel

Courtesy Medina Co. CVB

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2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

MIAMI UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM OXFORD

Based on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, the Miami University Art Museum presents more than 17,000 artifacts and works of art, with pieces from renowned artists like Rembrandt and Andy Warhol. In addition to daily tours, travel groups can take advantage of curator-led gallery talks, educational seminars and special events with featured artists.

The building itself features a distinct aesthetic, comprising three overlapping triangles. It was designed by Walter Netsch, who famously conceived the spectacular chapel at the United States Air Force Academy.

“A lot of people enjoy the space, beautiful hardwood floors and high ceilings,” said Sherri Krazl, who operates marketing and communications at the museum. “It has more natural light than you would normally find in an art museum, and it’s all one level, so it’s really easy and accessible for folks.”

One of the most significant components of the museum is the Charles M. Messer Leica Camera Collection in Gallery Four, which features the largest collection of vintage Leica cameras ever assembled.

Leica compact cameras revolutionized photography during the mid1900s, freeing the craft from the confines of a studio. Outside the museum, visitors can walk through a small sculpture park with nine internationally recognized sculptures.

A modern art exhibit at the Miami University Art Museum

Courtesy Miami University Art Museum

ADVENTURE fulfill your CURIOSITY find your ARTSYside embrace local CULTURE discover HISTORY fill your SHOPPING CART addFLAVORto your life find

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This coming year, the museum plans to unveil an exhibition called “40@40: Collections Highlights” to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the museum. Other upcoming exhibitions will include an indigenous art collection, a woodwork exhibit and an anthropology collection with artifacts related to life, death and religion.

W W W. M I A M I O H . E D U / C C A /A R T- M U S E U M

“IT HAS MORE NATURAL LIGHT THAN YOU WOULD NORMALLY FIND IN AN ART MUSEUM, AND IT’S ALL ONE LEVEL.”

Miami University Art Museum tour

Courtesy Miami University Art Museum

— SHERRI KR A ZL, MIAMI UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM

Kick back and relax in part of the world’s largest Amish community. We are home to Lehman’s, P. Graham Dunn, The J.M. Smucker Company Store and Café, The Ohio Light Opera, Everything Rubbermaid, Secrest Arboretum and more!

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ALL ABOARD

FOR OHIO

LAND AND LAKE Courtesy Destination Cleveland

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lthough there is never enough time to appreciate everything a destination has to offer, scenic tours by land or lake can introduce travelers to local history, landmarks and landscapes within a short and relaxing time frame. What’s more, these excursions often serve as a welcome respite from the elements as well as long hours of walking. Before you fill out the rest of your Ohio itinerary with busy attractions, be sure to check out one of these scenic trips by boat or train.

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

SEE THE BUCKEYE STATE BY BOAT OR TRAIN NAUTICA QUEEN CLEVELAND

The Nautica Queen is Cleveland’s premier dinner cruise vessel, offering dinner cruises, sunset cruises and other specialty cruises throughout the week. Passengers can combine sightseeing with a great dining experience as they sail along Lake Erie with the beautiful Cleveland skyline in view.

“The Nautica Queen is one of the great ways to take in everything that Cleveland has to offer, from the waterfront to an amazing skyline,” said Kristen Jantonio, communications specialist at Destination Cleveland. “Not many cities offer a cruise along the waterfront.”

During the excursion, guests can listen to live entertainment from the comfort of the lower decks or visit the top deck to soak in waterfront attractions like the stunning glass pyramids of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Meals are prepared fresh on board, and feature tasty cuisine such as oven-roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, chicken du jour, marinated pasta and pork loin with balsamic raspberry sauce.

Several group combo packages are available. For the popular Just Add Water package, the Nautica Queen partners with the Greater Cleveland Aquarium to provide a dinner cruise and tour of the aquarium. During the Land and Sea experience, groups can enjoy a two-hour sightseeing trolley tour of the city aboard Lolly the Trolley, followed by a lunch and cruise. A minimum of 30 participants is required.

“It makes things easier for groups when they’re able to package things with another attraction that’s so close,” said Jantonio.

Courtesy Destination Cleveland

Above: Passengers enjoy meals prepared on board during Nautica Queen cruises.

Opposite page: The Nautica Queen allows visitors to take in the entire Cleveland skyline from Lake Erie.

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www.ohiohasit.com

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OHIO TRAILS: DESSERTS hink your group’s sweet tooth can’t be satisfied? Try T these dessert-themed Ohio trails for handmade, local and delectable goodies.

BUTLER COUNTY’S DONUT TRAIL | BUTLER COUNT Y

Choosing between a s’more, a fruity pebble, a cheesecake, a maple bacon and a pineapple fritter doughnut makes Butler County’s Donut Trail full of fun and sugar. The county shows its love of this fried dough confection with a trail that highlights 12 delicious doughnut stops.

Groups with stomachs up to the challenge can request a free Donut Trail T-shirt if they visit each of the shops.

SWEET TOOTH TRAIL | PORTAGE COUNT Y

For groups with a serious craving for all things sweet, the Central Portage Visitors and Convention Bureau offers the Sweet Tooth Trail.

The trail can stretch from one day to three days of delectable treats.

The Brimfield Bread Oven is the first stop for a locally owned, European-style bakery. Owners make bread, pizza and tempting pastries from scratch and baked in a wood-fire oven for delicious results.

HILLIARD ICE CREAM TRAIL | HILLIARD

Butler County’s Donut Trail

Courtesy Butler Co. CVB

A collection of locally owned businesses offering ice cream grew around Hilliard for several years until Destination Hilliard decided to launch the Hilliard Ice Cream Trail in April 2018. Groups can stamp a passport booklet at each stop for a complimentary drawstring bag or just enjoy as many dairy treats as they can.

Coffee Connections of Hilliard pours an espresso shot over ice cream for its tasty dessert, and the Little Ice Cream Shoppe features 24 flavors, among them Aztec Chocolate and Lucky Charms.

Hilliard Ice Cream Trail

Sweet Tooth Trail Courtesy Central Portage VCB

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Courtesy Little Ice Cream Shoppe

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

JOHNSTON FARM AND INDIAN AGENCY PIQUA

The Johnston Farm and Indian Agency is a peaceful 200-acre park that traces over 2,000 years of local history, from ancient Indian mounds to Ohio’s 19th-century canal era. The site is named after original property owner John Johnston, a farmer, public official and U.S. Indian agent for western Ohio from 1812 to 1829. Johnston was instrumental in the construction of the Ohio-Erie Canal, which played a crucial role in expanding Ohio’s frontier.

Groups can delve deeper into this rich past by taking a canal tour aboard the General Harrison of Piqua, a replica 70-foot-long, open-air canal boat that was used to transport passengers and cargo during the 19th century. To make the experience immersive, the boat relies on the same power system used over a century ago: a team of mules led along the banks of the canal. The narrated tour provides a rare glimpse into the reality of everyday travel during the 1800s as well as the significance of Ohio’s early canals.

Nearby, groups can learn more about regional history at the Johnston Farm Museum. Designed to resemble the blockhouse of Fort Piqua, an 18th-century supply post, the museum contains exhibits on the Eastern Woodland Indians of Ohio and the Pickawillany village site. From the patio of the museum, visitors can view a restored milelong section of the Ohio-Erie Canal. Other 19thcentury structures on the property include a farmhouse, a cider house, a springhouse and a double-pen barn.

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Johnston Farm and Indian Agency Courtesy Miami Co. VCB

www.ohiohasit.com

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CUYAHOGA VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD PENINSULA

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Spanning 33,000 acres, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park runs along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, serving as a popular destination for hiking, canoeing, bird-watching, golfing and stargazing. Visitors can survey the scenery and wildlife of this picturesque landscape aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, a heritage train ride experience that covers nearly 26 miles of the park.

“It’s really unique. We’re the only nonprofit railroad that operates within a national park,” said Katie Brewer, manager of media relations and digital communications at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. “For a lot of people who have never been to northeast Ohio, it’s a great way to see everything in three and a half hours.”

The regular National Park Scenic train runs northbound and southbound throughout the day, stopping at the Rockside station, the Peninsula Depot and the Akron Northside Station. Passengers are welcome to get on and off at any of the departure times listed for the three-and-a-half-hour roundtrip excursion.

There are also several smaller stations between the major stops for bikers, who can take advantage of the Bike Aboard program to carry their bikes on board for $5. Many cyclists choose to bike the Towpath Trail that follows the historic route of the Ohio and Erie Canal and then take the train back to their starting point.

Courtesy Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

RECEPTIVE OPERATOR

GREAT DAY! TOURS & CHARTER BUS SERVICE

G

reat Day! Tours & Charter Bus Service began 54 years ago in Athens, Ohio. Its original service was for Ohio University students, taking them to various locations in northeastern Ohio. That service grew over the years to encompass charter bus services; group and public tour packages; and receptive, guide and convention services for companies coming into Ohio. In the past decade its receptive tour department and sightseeing guide department have grown significantly.

SPECIALIZES IN

Charter bus services, full receptive tour services, sightseeing guides, group tour packages, student tour packages and convention services

CONTACT INFORMATION

A.J. Kinney 800-362-4905 www.greatdaytours.com

Put-in-Bay

THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES

OHIO

• Lake Erie Island Tours • Ohio Winery Tours • Ohio Amish Country Tours

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2019 ohio has it! group travel guide Courtesy Great Day! Tours and Charter Bus Service

Experience Top-Flight Fun in The Birthplace of Aviation. Located at the crossroads of America!

DAYTON

DAYTON OFFERS TOUR GROUPS: • Diverse Customized Itineraries • Free Tour Operator and Attendee Gifts • FREE National Museum of the U.S. Air Force • Complimentary Snack Packs

• Accessible for Tours & Overnights!

Contact Teena Sheffler, Sales Manager, today at 937.226.8292 or tsheffler@daytoncvb.net

daytoncvb.com

Throughout the year, the train hosts several events and programs aboard the cars, such as wine tastings, murder mystery parties, family fun days and a beer-tasting event called Ales on Rails.

Atwood Queen

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ATWOOD QUEEN MINERAL CITY

Courtesy Atwood Queen

2260 International Parkway North Canton, Ohio 44720 (2 miles off I-77 in N.E. Ohio) 330.896.6332 www.mapsairmuseum.org

HISTORICAL DISPLAYS

Visit our Gallery of Heroes to view history from the memorabilia and perspective of those that lived it.

Over 130 displays covering the Civil War through the Gulf War that spotlight local heroes who made aviation history.

From the Red Baron to Rosie the Riveter, from the Tuskegee Airmen to the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), we will introduce you to the men and women who made history.

GIFT SHOP

A fully stocked gift shop is available to provide you with the opportunity to take your memories with you!

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TOUR GUIDES 48 Aircraft in house.

From a 1908 glider, to AH-1 Cobra helicopter, to an F-16 Fighting Falcon!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Group discount admission fees of $9.00/adult and $5.00/child 6-12 available with your pre-scheduled visit. Listed fees are subject to change. Confirm with reservation.

Email: kimball.reed@mapsairmuseum.org.

• Tour Guides available for a recommended 2 hour guided tour or visit on your own. Tour times can fit your schedule.

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Considered one of the state’s top sailing destinations, Atwood Lake is a beautiful reservoir in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties in eastern Ohio that features 28 miles of shoreline. To enjoy everything this tranquil area has to offer, larger groups can spend the afternoon aboard the Atwood Queen, a 45-passenger charter vessel from Atwood Lake Boats.

Atwood Lake Boats is Ohio’s largest pontoon boat business and a five-star certified dealer at Atwood Lake, ensuring that passengers receive top-quality services during their time on the water. The Atwood Queen was recently renovated with new seating, sound and lighting systems, and wall paneling to provide the optimal setting for comfort and relaxation.

A knowledgeable lake captain leads the one- to two-hour cruises, sharing information about the area along the way. The excursion offers a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of larger city destinations and just enjoy the sight of sailboats, birds, deer and other wildlife. Nearby attractions include the Lighthouse Bistro, the Al-Bi Winery Company and the Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast.

• Fully handicapped accessible restrooms • Wheelchairs available for those with limited mobility.

• Access to a wide variety of restaurants in the area-most within a 10 minute drive! If you wish to eat in the hangar near the aircraft, you can contact (or we can recommend) local caterers that can bring meals to MAPS for you.

PUT-IN-BAY ISLANDS TOUR TRAIN P U T- I N - B AY

It can be easy to forget that Ohio hugs the coast of Lake Erie, and many travelers are surprised to learn about the rich history and cultures that characterize many of its islands.

Just off the coast of Port Clinton and Sandusky, Put-in-Bay is a scenic summer resort village on South Bass Island. Groups can reach this charming retreat through one of the ferry lines that travel daily from downtown Sandusky, Port Clinton and Catawba Island.

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

Upon arrival, the Put-in-Bay Islands Tour Train serves as the primary mode of transportation for groups around the island. The tram can accommodate up to two busloads of passengers and carry them on a loop around the island to key landmarks, dining venues and other points of interest.

“One of the great things about the train is that they will work out an individualized itinerary for groups,” said Brian Shifflet, groups experience manager at the Lake Erie Shore and Islands Welcome Center-West. “If groups are more interested in history, they can work out a specific tour with that focus. If others want to spend more time in downtown to shop or drink, they can shorten the narrated part to give them more time in town.”

The trains stop at drop-off points every 30 minutes, allowing travelers to hop on and off at their leisure. Some major attractions include the Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, Heineman Winery and Crystal Cave, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial and the Lake Erie Island Nature and Wildlife Center.

“It gives you a really good feel of the area and the people who live there. You can experience the whole of island life in a short period of time,” said Shifflet.

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www.ohiohasit.com

Put-in-Bay Islands Tour Train

Courtesy Lake Erie Shores and Islands

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TRANSPORTATION MUSEUMS rom the covered wagon to not-yet-released vehicles, F these Ohio museums focus on the history and future of transportation .

HONDA HERITAGE CENTER | MARYSVILLE

From a small 50cc motorcycle to the Honda Jet, visitors can view Honda creations up close at the Honda Heritage Center. The museum not only looks back at the company’s historic products but also forward to vehicles not yet released.

Groups can combine the Honda Heritage Center with an Auto Plant Tour to see firsthand how the company produces its innovative vehicles.

LOGAN COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM | BELLEFONTAINE

Honda Heritage Center Courtesy Honda Heritage Center

Groups can discover Logan County’s unusual transportation history at the Logan County Transportation Museum.

Connected to the Logan County History Center, the museum starts with the covered wagon and then focuses on the town’s time as a railroad hub. The museum building is designed as an old railroad roundhouse.

Other standout exhibits in the museum include a 1921 West Liberty Howe Fire Truck and a model of Wissler’s 1915 Monoplane.

Logan County Transportation Museum Courtesy Logan Co. COC VB

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2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

ENLIGHTEN AND ENJOY

STUDENT EDUCATION Courtesy Ohio History Connection

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T

he best educational experiences are rarely found in a textbook. When student groups visit some of Ohio’s top educational sites, they can learn about the world’s first astronauts, come face-to-face with exotic wildlife and wander through ancient Native American settlements. With so many great options from which to choose, here are six exceptional attractions that inspire learning beyond the classroom.

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

OHIO’S EDUCATIONAL ATTRACTIONS OFFER KNOWLEDGE AND AMUSEMENT FORT ANCIENT EARTHWORKS AND NATURE PRESERVE OREGONIA

Nestled along the eastern shore of the Little Miami River, Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve is one of Ohio’s most mysterious and significant archaeological sites. The site covers a 126-acre plateau that rises nearly 260 feet above the riverbanks. Surrounding the plateau are grassy embankments between five and 23 feet high.

Archaeologists believe these earthworks were constructed over 2,000 years ago by a prehistoric tribe known as the Hopewell; they provide a rare opportunity for student groups to learn about archaeology and anthropology at a real excavation site. Students can follow a guide along cultivated nature trails throughout the earthworks and gardens, where they will find re-created versions of Native American homes and farming equipment. Many educators organize a scavenger hunt for students inside the Fort Ancient museum, which features additional artifacts and interactive exhibits.

“Kids love the museum. There’s a garden area out back that has some traditional Native American housing, which they can run in and out of. They feel like they traveled 2,000 years back in time,” said Scott Hutchinson, senior communications manager at the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Fort Ancient hosts several other educational programs and events throughout the year. During the Tools of Mother Nature program, kindergarten and first-grade students can touch animal bones and www.ohiohasit.com

Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Above: Re-created Native American homes at Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve examine life in Ohio 2,000 years ago.

Opposite page: Students can learn about the Hopewell Native American tribe’s life and rituals at Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve.

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furs as they learn how prehistoric cultures used the natural environment for everyday needs. The Explorer program caters to grades two through six and focuses on the lifestyle and artifacts of Ohio’s earliest known inhabitants. Critical Thinking is scavenger-hunt-style class for grade seven and up that takes students throughout the museum as they attempt to unravel the secrets of early cultures.

Costumed interpreters at Anderson Schoolhouse

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ANDERSON SCHOOLHOUSE

ASHLAND

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Anderson Schoolhouse is an authentic one-room schoolhouse from the 19th century that features a redbrick facade and white bell tower. The school was in continuous use from the 1850s to the spring of 1939, and some students still live in the area.

Carla Abreu-Ellis, PhD, and Jason B. Ellis, PhD, who both serve as associate professors of education at Ashland University, took over the building in 2014 and began offering immersive history programs for children of all ages. These educational programs are available from August to December and April to June and can accommodate up to 34 students.

To get into character, kids are encouraged to wear 1890s attire such as suspenders, caps, dresses and aprons. Like schoolchildren 100 years ago, the class enters the school in two separate lines, with the students arranged from shortest to tallest. The students must also raise their hands to ask questions and stand to the left of their desk to respond to questions.

“Everyone enjoys playing the part. It’s a big deal to them, and you can tell they’ve done a little research beforehand,” said Jason Ellis.

During the lesson, students work with real props, such as chalk, slates and antique calligraphy pens. At one point, they have the chance to play around with centuryAnderson Schoolhouse old stereoscopes, an eyeglass mechanism that overlaps two images to create three-dimensional perception.

“We actually let them manipulate the antiques because I think it’s important to let them learn how to handle things with care and respect,” said Ellis.

The Anderson Schoolhouse also offers a Civil War School Days program for seventh- and eighth-grade students, during which students can try on a soldier uniform, perform a marching drill and read a letter from a Union solider who formerly attended the school.

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Photos courtesy Anderson Schoolhouse

“WE ACTUALLY LET THEM MANIPULATE THE ANTIQUES

BECAUSE I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO LET THEM LEARN HOW TO HANDLE THINGS WITH CARE AND RESPECT.” — JASON ELLI S, ANDERSON SCHOOLHOUSE 54

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

ARMSTRONG AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM WAPA KONETA

Based in Wapakoneta, Ohio, the hometown of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong, the Armstrong Air and Space Museum commemorates the state’s contributions to aviation and space exploration. The museum offers a wide variety of educational programs and activities for student groups that can be added to the traditional tour or scheduled as stand-alone experiences.

At the beginning of the guided tour, student groups visit the Early Space Gallery to learn about America’s space race against the Soviet Union and see artifacts such as early rocket prototypes, Armstrong’s Apollo spacesuit and the Gemini VIII spacecraft. There are several interactive features throughout the gallery, such as a zero-gravity trainer that simulates weightlessness.

“Kids really love the zero-gravity trainer. It’s funny because at first they think they’re going to get knocked off their feet, but it just raises them off the ground a couple inches,” said Olivia Nelson, marketing coordinator at the museum.

From the gallery, groups make their way through the Infinity Room, a dark passageway with mirrors that give the illusion of immense

Engineer Camp at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum Courtesy Armstrong Air and Space Museum

depth and that leads to the Astro Theater in the center of the museum. The dome-shaped theater presents a half-hour film about the Apollo 11 mission, using lights and visual technology to immerse viewers in the experience.

After the film, students can conclude their visit with an educational activity in one of the classrooms. There are more than a dozen interactive programs available, often involving activities like building model rockets, sampling astronaut food and creating miniature lunar biospheres. Additional educational programming includes overnight experiences, summer camps and the Young Astronaut Program, a bimonthly program for students in kindergarten through seventh grade.

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P L AY , Y A T , S D! COME OU DI LAD L BE G YO U ’ L

Y

There is something for everyone in Ashland County!

Fairs & Festivals • Parks & Recreation • Arts & Culture • Shopping & Dining

www.visitashlandohio.com • 877-581-2345 56

UNIVERSAL DESIGN LIVING LABORATORY

GAHANNA

In 1998, Rosemarie Rossetti and her husband, Mark Leder, were taking a bike ride to celebrate their anniversary when a three-and-a-half-ton tree fell on Rossetti and paralyzed her from the waist down. After months of rehabilitation and adjusting 2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

OHIO TRAILS: AGRITOURISM ake the stress level down with the quaint country T settings and well-crafted goods found at these agritourism sites in Ohio .

Buckeye Blooms Flower Farm

FARMS, GREENHOUSES AND MARKETS TOUR | MEDINA COUNT Y Medina County attracts green thumbs, as the county offers several ways to buy local produce from farms and plant-themed gifts at greenhouses. The county’s Farms, Greenhouses and Markets Tour maps these spots, among them Richardson Farms for jams, jellies and salsas.

Groups can purchase more farm-grown products at Earth Song Discovery Farm, Beriswill Farm and Mapleside Farm, among others.

The area offers two greenhouses with plants and gift items: Boyert’s Greenhouse and Hill Haven Greenhouse.

AGRITOURISM TOURS IN LIMA | ALLEN COUNT Y

The Lima/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau regularly sets up tours of the county’s rich agricultural heritage. At Tilton Farm, visitors can step back in time as they walk beside a 19th-century barn and cabins filled with antiques and collectibles.

Buckeye Blooms Organic Flower Farm can provide a colorful walk past locally grown flowers with advanced planning. The Steiner Stock Farm invites guests to explore a Standardbred horse farm with a look at the 200-acre farm’s 50 broodmares.

Courtesy Visit Greater Lima

GATEWAY TO AMISH COUNTRY BYWAY | KNOX COUNT Y Amish-owned farms and protected scenic parks abound along the Gateway to Amish Country, an American Scenic Byway. Groups can follow the route U.S. 62 up eastern Knox County for stops at rural Danville, Honey Run Highlands Park and Weaver’s Farm and Furniture.

Weaver’s Farm and Furniture in Danville provides both a glimpse of the Amish lifestyle and a store filled with quality Amish furniture built to last through the generations.

Strolling through Buckeye Blooms Flower Farm Courtesy Visit Greater Lima

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Farms, Greenhouses and Markets Tour Courtesy Medina Co. CVB

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

to everyday life with a wheelchair, the couple about to realize that their two-story home would never adequately serve their needs. They began researching universal designs, which eventually led to the construction of their current home: the Universal Design Living Laboratory.

Completed in 2010, nearly a decade after Rossetti’s accident, the Universal Design Living Laboratory is now the highest rated universally designed home in North America. The groundbreaking design incorporates accessible features such as wider hallways, higher electrical outlets, countertops with varied heights, lever handles on doors and faucets, open knee space under all the sinks and an elevator to the basement.

Rossetti and Leder frequently welcome architecture students, senior groups and other guests onto their beautiful property to see these innovations firsthand and learn how universal design could change the future of architecture.

“People from all over the world come to study their home and the benefits of universal design,” said Mary Szymkowiak, communications and tourism manager at the Gahanna Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“It’s a hidden treasure for both the student and senior markets.”

Planners can contact the Gahanna Convention and Visitors Bureau to arrange private tours for groups of 35 to 50 people. Since the home is privately owned, opening hours may be limited.

Universal Design Living Laboratory

Courtesy Visit Gahanna

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T O U R S AVA I L A B L E E X C L U S I V E LY T H R O U G H

Y O U R U N I Q U E S T O RY B E G I N S I N

Gahanna Ohio

Let Visit Gahanna help sow the seeds for your group’s next unforgettable experience.

Located just east of Columbus, Gahanna weaves memorable group adventures from untold tales like:

FROM DISASTER TO NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DESIGN The UDLL Story

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

A hands-on Herbal World Tour

BOOTLEGGERS, DISTILLERS AND ITALIAN GRANDMAS The Noble Secrets of Success

VISITGAHANNA.COM • 866.424.2662

COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM POWELL

At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, animal lovers can meet some of the world’s most fascinating creatures, from the black rhinoceros of Asia to the polar bears of North America and the wildebeest of Africa. The zoo is divided into six global regions that host over 10,000 animals in total.

Student groups can see, hear and touch many of these exotic creatures at animal encounter stations throughout the zoo, among them a lorikeet garden, a kangaroo walkabout, a reptile keepers lab and a giraffe feeding area.

At the tide touch pool, groups can stroke the spine of a sea urchin or pick up a horseshoe crab, one of the world’s rare living fossils. The zoo also features behind-the-scenes tours of exclusive areas such as the Animal Health Center, Manatee Cove and Discovery Reef.

“We do as much as we can to get people to interact and engage with the animals and be inspired,” said Danielle Ross, vice president of education at the zoo. “Our main goal is to develop the connection they have with nature, specifically with animals.”

Recently, the zoo began hosting activity station days for different grade levels, combining

You might blink, but that shark won’t.

Why? Because sandtigers don’t have eyelids.

Get a shark selle on your next tour.

Columbus Zoo’s brown bear

Giraffe feeding Photos by Graham S. Jones, courtesy Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

presentation and interactive components to enhance student learning. Each station features staff-led discussions on subjects like environmental vocabulary, sustainability and animal-related careers. Educators can download self-guided activities and materials from the zoo website to implement in the classroom before their visit.

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DEERASSIC PARK EDUCATION CENTER CAMBRIDGE

Nature.

It’s a curious thing.

2000 Sycamore Street Cleveland, OH 44113 | greaterclevelandaquarium.com

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The Deerassic Park Education Center is a nonprofit based in Guernsey County that offers outdoor educational classes and activities for school groups, youth groups and scout groups. The 150-acre property covers a beautiful range of fields, forest, creeks and ponds, providing a great setting for kids to explore and experience nature.

“One of our slogans out here is ‘Make the Outside In,’” said Mark Meeker, executive director of the center. “We want to get the kids outdoors and moving around, not just sitting on the couch watching TV. Everything we do is hands-on.”

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

Youth leaders can choose from around 20 different educational programs, among them archery, fishing and deer encounters. The property is home to a partially tamed herd of 50 white-tailed deer that live inside a 15-acre enclosure. Groups can enter the habitat and get close to and feed young fawns and mature bucks during the Wonders of the White Tail program. Occasionally, local experts visit the education center and give talks on special topics such as wild hogs of Ohio or foraging for wild ginseng and mushrooms.

By the end of 2019, the Deerassic Park Education Center plans to break ground on a new 30,000-square-foot facility that will house a larger nature center and additional classroom space.

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“WE WANT TO GET THE KIDS OUTDOORS AND MOVING AROUND ...

EVERYTHING WE DO IS HANDS-ON.”

Deerassic Park Education Center

Courtesy Deerassic Park Education Center

— M ARK MEEKER, DEERASSIC PARK EDUCATION CENTER

www.ohiohasit.com

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STANDOUT HOTELS your group seeks a memorable night away, try some of Ian fOhio’s most unique accommodations, including a castle, indoor water park and a dude ranch.

Scooops Kid Spa at the Great Wolf Lodge

LANDOLL’S MOHICAN CASTLE | ASHLAND COUNT Y

Groups can spend the night in a medieval-style fortress in Ashland County at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. Jim Landoll’s dream of owning a castle prompted him to build the structure in 2002. The castle boasts luxurious details, such as hand-painted designs and woodwork from a local lumber mill.

The hotel strives to treat each guest like royalty with four-poster mahogany beds, stone gas fireplaces and the upscale Copper Mug Bar and Grille. Groups can enjoy the seclusion of the hotel’s 1,100 acres with quiet walks through the hotel’s gardens and woods.

GREAT WOLF LODGE | CINCINNATI/MASON

The Great Wolf Lodge can tire out any youth group: Its indoor water park features eight pools, a lazy river and scream-inducing slides, and the water stays 84 degrees year-round to encourage hours of fun.

If visitors wish to stay dry, they can keep active at the lodge’s arcade, children’s activity area and bowling lanes. Specialty restaurants and 400 woodland-themed suites ensure groups have everything they need in one place.

KD GUEST RANCH | MUSKINGUM COUNT Y

Courtesy Great Wolf Lodge

A trail ride at KD Guest Ranch

Courtesy Zanesville/Muskingum Co. CVB

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Instead of traveling halfway across the country for a Wild West experience, groups can experience a Westernstyle dude ranch in Ohio. Daily trail rides, team penning, roping lessons and wagon rides keep every day packed with stimulating experiences.

Groups can stay in log cabins equipped with modern amenities for comfortable stays. The Lodge functions as a gathering place, with a dining room, a kitchen, a general store, a saloon, a game room and a massage space.

KD Guest Ranch

Courtesy Zanesville/Muskingum Co. CVB

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

WHERE HISTORY & ADVENTURE AWAIT

Call Dixie Lacy at 800.933.5480 to book your group experience today!

OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS AKRON/SUMMIT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Cindy Coontz 800-245-4254 www.visitakron-summit.org ASHLAND AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Amy Daubenspeck 419-281-4584 www.visitashlandohio.com BOWLING GREEN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Wendy Chambers 800-866-0046 www.visitbgohio.org

CINCINNATI USA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Ronnie Jefferson 513-632-5385 www.cincyusa.com CLERMONT COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Margaret Bedillion 513-732-3600 www.visitclermontohio.com COSHOCTON VISITORS BUREAU Mindy Brems 740-622-4877 www.visitcoshocton.com DARKE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Matt Staugler 937-548-5158 www.visitdarkecounty.org

BUTLER COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Margaret O’Gorman, CMP 513-860-4194 www.gettothebc.com

DAYTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Teena Sheffler 937-226-8292 www.daytoncvb.com

CAMBRIDGE/GUERNSEY COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU Dixie Lacy 800-933-5480 www.visitguernseycounty.com

DESTINATION CLEVELAND Jane Tougouma 216-875-6607 www.thisiscleveland.com/groups

CARROLL COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Amy Rutledge 877-727-0103 www.carrollcountyohio.com CENTRAL PORTAGE COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU Diane Rock 800-764-8768 www.centralportagevcb.org CHAMPAIGN COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Lydia Hess 937-653-5764 www.visitchampaignohio.com 64

DESTINATION GRANDVIEW Brian Cheek 614-453-4295 www.destinationgrandview.org DESTINATION HILLIARD Tim Kauffman 614-664-3290 www.destinationhilliard.com DESTINATION MANSFIELD - RICHLAND COUNTY Jodie Snavely 800-642-8282 www.destinationmansfield.com

DESTINATION SENECA COUNTY Brittany Cook 567-220-6387 www.destinationsenecacounty.org

LAKE ERIE SHORES AND ISLANDS Brian Shifflet 419-734-4386 www.groups.shoresandislands.com

DESTINATION TOLEDO CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Cathy Miller 419-321-6404 www.visittoledo.org

LOGAN COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Kelsey Longshore 937-599-5121 www.logancountyohio.com

DUBLIN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Joshua Bricker 614-792-7666 www.visitdublinohio.com

MARION AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Mark Holbrook 800-371-6688 www.visitmarionohio.com

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS Roger Dudley 614-222-6136 www.experiencecolumbus.com/tours

MEDINA COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Dan Hostetler 800-860-2943 www.visitmedinacounty.com

GAHANNA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Mary Szymkowiak 614-418-9114 www.visitgahanna.com

MIAMI COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU Leiann Stewart 937-339-1044 www.homegrowngreat.com

GREATER GRAND LAKE VISITORS REGION Donna Grube 419-394-1294 www.greatergrandlakeregion.com HOLMES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM BUREAU Laurie Judson 330-674-3975 www.visitamishcountry.com KNOX COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Justin Bauer 740-392-6102 www.visitknoxohio.org LAKE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Scott Dockus 440-975-1234 www.mylakeoh.com

OHIO’S RAMBLIN’ ROAD TRIP Corrie Bott 937-642-6279 www.ohiosramblinroadtrip.com SANDUSKY COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Brenda Havens 419-332-4470 www.sanduskycounty.org TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Julie Levengood Stephon 330-602-2420 www.traveltusc.com UNION COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Corrie Bott 937-642-6279 www.visitunioncountyohio.org

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

VISIT CANTON Cindi Petty 800-552-6051 www.visitcanton.com VISIT GREATER LIMA Cara Venturella 419-222-6075 www.visitgreaterlima.com WARREN COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Linda Smith 513-204-7040 www.ohioslargestplayground.com WAYNE COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Martha Starkey 800-362-6474 www.wccvb.com YOUNGSTOWN LIVE - MAHONING COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Tara Mady 800-447-8201 www.youngstownlive.com ZANESVILLE-MUSKINGUM COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Lori Kappes 740-455-8282 www.visitzanesville.com

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES DUTCHMAN HOSPITALITY, INC. Tiffany Gerber 855-344-7547 www.dhgroup.com EMERALD HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATES Lori Berhent 440-239-9848 www.emeraldhospitality.com www.ohiohasit.com

RECEPTIVE OPERATOR/ TOUR COMPANY AMERICAN LEGACY TOURS Brad Hill 859-951-8560 www.americanlegacytours.com GREAT DAY! TOURS AND CHARTER BUS SERVICE - TRAILWAYS - AMERICAN SIGHTSEEING CLEVELAND A.J. Kinney 800-362-4905 www.greatdaytours.com JOY TOUR AND TRAVEL Kenya Duke 513-777-8221 www.joytours.com

ATTRACTIONS ADENA MANSION AND GARDENS Kwasi Agyemang 800-319-7248 www.ohiohistory.org ARMSTRONG AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0142 www.ohiohistory.org AURORA FARMS PREMIUM OUTLETS Kyle Hersh 330-562-2000 www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/aurora-farms BIG BOTTOM MEMORIAL PARK Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0143 www.ohiohistory.org BUCKEYE FURNACE Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0144 www.ohiohistory.org

CAMPUS MARTIUS MUSEUM Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0145 www.ohiohistory.org

DUTCH VALLEY MARKET Pam Hamrick 330-852-2631 www.dutchvalleymarket.com

CARLISLE GIFTS Heather May 330-893-2535 www.carlislegifts.com

FALLEN TIMBERS BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL PARK Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0149 www.ohiohistory.org

CEDAR BOG NATURE PRESERVE Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0147 www.ohiohistory.org CINCINNATI PREMIUM OUTLETS Anne Winegardner 513-539-0711 www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/cincinnati CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CINCINNATI POPS Michelle Lewandowski 513-744-3590 www.csogroupsales.org COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM Lindsey Orme 614-724-3573 www.columbuszoo.org COOKE-DORN HOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 877-734-1386 www.ohiohistory.org CUSTER MONUMENT Kwasi Agyemang 866-473-0417 www.ohiohistory.org DUTCH VALLEY GIFTS Michelle Jenkins 330-852-4926 www.dutchvalleygifts.com

FLINT RIDGE ANCIENT QUARRIES AND NATURE PRESERVE Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8707 www.ohiohistory.org FORT AMANDA MEMORIAL PARK Kwasi Agyemang 844-306-3360 www.ohiohistory.org FORT ANCIENT EARTHWORKS AND NATURE PRESERVE Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8904 www.ohiohistory.org FORT JEFFERSON MEMORIAL PARK Kwasi Agyemang 844-288-7708 www.ohiohistory.org FORT LAURENS Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8914 www.ohiohistory.org FORT MEIGS Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8916 www.ohiohistory.org FORT RECOVERY MUSEUM AND MONUMENT Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8920 www.ohiohistory.org

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OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

GERVASI VINEYARD Nichole Cardinale 330-497-1000 www.gervasivineyard.com GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM Samantha Fryberger 216-862-8803 www.greaterclevelandaquarium.com HANBY HOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-6843 www.ohiohistory.org HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 800-847-6507 www.ohiohistory.org HAYES PRESIDENTIAL CENTER Kwasi Agyemang 800-998-7737 www.ohiohistory.org HOMESTEAD FURNITURE Codi Mast 330-674-4902 www.homestead-furniture.com HONDA NORTH AMERICA HONDA HERITAGE CENTER Lynn Johnson 937-644-6883 www.hondaheritagecenter.com

JACK THISTLEDOWN RACINO Julian Basak 216-662-8600 www.jackentertainment.com/thistledown/ busgroups

MCKINLEY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Joyce Yut 330-455-7043 www.mckinleymuseum.org

JOHN AND ANNIE GLENN MUSEUM Kwasi Agyemang 866-473-0417 www.ohiohistory.org

MIAMISBURG MOUND Kwasi Agyemang 866-580-6508 www.ohiohistory.org

JOHN RANKIN HOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2705 www.ohiohistory.org

MUSEUM OF CERAMICS Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-7180 www.ohiohistory.org

JOHNSTON FARM AND INDIAN AGENCY Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2619 www.ohiohistory.org

NATIONAL AFRO-AMERICAN MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2603 www.ohiohistory.org

LEHMAN’S Glenda Lehman Ervin 800-438-5346 www.lehmans.com LEO PETROGLYPHS AND NATURE PRESERVE Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0144 www.ohiohistory.org LOGAN ELM Kwasi Agyemang 888-770-7425 www.ohiohistory.org

HOWER HOUSE MUSEUM Linda Bussey 330-972-6909 www.howerhouse.org

MAPS AIR MUSEUM Kim Kovesci 330-896-6332 www.mapsairmuseum.org

INDIAN MILL Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-7147 www.ohiohistory.org

MCCOOK HOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-7172 www.ohiohistory.org

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OHIO RIVER MUSEUM Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0145 www.ohiohistory.org OHIO STAR THEATER AT DUTCH VALLEY Tiffany Gerber 855-344-7547 www.ohiostartheater.com OUR HOUSE TAVERN Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2618 www.ohiohistory.org

NATIONAL ROAD AND ZANE GREY MUSEUM Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2602 www.ohiohistory.org NAUTICA QUEEN Colleen Grey 216-696-8888 www.nauticaqueen.com

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR HOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0148 www.ohiohistory.org PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Susan Campbell 330-456-8207 www.profootballhof.com QUAKER YEARLY MEETING HOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2631 www.ohiohistory.org ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME Sharrona Burns 888-764-7625 www.rockhall.com

NEWARK EARTHWORKS Kwasi Agyemang 800-589-8224 www.ohiohistory.org OHIO HISTORY CENTER AND OHIO VILLAGE Kwasi Agyemang 800-686-6124 www.ohiohistory.org OHIO HISTORY CONNECTION Kwasi Agyemang 614-297-2319 www.ohiohistory.org

SAUDER VILLAGE Jeanette Smith 800-590-9755 www.saudervillage.org SCHOENBRUNN VILLAGE Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2711 www.ohiohistory.org

2019 ohio has it! group travel guide

OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

SERPENT MOUND Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2757 www.ohiohistory.org

WARREN G. HARDING HOME AND MEMORIAL Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-6894 www.ohiohistory.org

HAMPTON INN BY HILTON NEW PHILADELPHIA Kris Cardani 330-339-7000 www.newphiladelphia.hamptoninn.com

SHAKER HISTORICAL MUSEUM Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-6078 www.ohiohistory.org

WARTHER MUSEUM Kristen Moreland 330-485-3891 www.thewarthermuseum.com

HAMPTON INN BY HILTON WOOSTER Jennifer Skelton 330-345-4424 www.wooster.hamptoninn.com

TALLMADGE CHURCH Kwasi Agyemang 844-288-7710 www.ohiohistory.org

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TOMB Kwasi Agyemang 844-288-7709 www.ohiohistory.org

HAMPTON INN YOUNGSTOWN WEST I-80 Janet Perry 330-544-0660 www.youngstownwest.hamptoninn.com

THE CORNER ALLEY Christine Connell 216-298-4104 www.thecorneralley.com

YOUNGSTOWN HISTORICAL CENTER OF INDUSTRY AND LABOR Kwasi Agyemang 800-262-6137 www.ohiohistory.org

HILTON GARDEN INN WOOSTER Aimee Welsh 330-202-7701 www.wooster.hgi.com

THE EMERALD EVENT CENTER Rex Engle 440-937-0909 www.emeraldeventcenter.com TOLEDO ZOO AND AQUARIUM Amanda Caig 419-724-0073 www.toledozoo.org U.S. GRANT BIRTHPLACE Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8932 www.ohiohistory.org U.S. GRANT BOYHOOD HOME AND SCHOOLHOUSE Kwasi Agyemang 877-372-8177 www.ohiohistory.org WAHKEENA NATURE PRESERVE Kwasi Agyemang 800-297-1883 www.ohiohistory.org

www.ohiohasit.com

ZOAR VILLAGE Kwasi Agyemang 800-262-6195 www.ohiohistory.org

LODGING CARLISLE INN SUGARCREEK LeAnn Hayes 855-411-2275 www.carlisleinns.com CARLISLE INN WALNUT CREEK Amy Zurcher 855-400-2275 www.carlisleinns.com GREAT WOLF LODGE CINCINNATI/MASON Jessica Bays 513-459-8885 www.greatwolf.com HAMPTON INN AND SUITES CANTON Janet Perry 330-491-4335 www.cantonohsuites.hamptoninn.com

HOME2 SUITES CANTON Carol Grosse 330-491-9714 www.canton.home2suites.com HOME2 SUITES YOUNGSTOWN/AUSTINTOWN Janet Perry 330-505-9935 www.youngstownwestaustintown. www.home2suitesbyhilton.com LANDOLL’S MOHICAN CASTLE Georgia Kauffman 419-994-3427 www.landollsmohicancastle.com

DINING BERLIN FARMSTEAD RESTAURANT AND BAKERY Nancy Weaver 330-893-4600 www.berlinfarmstead.com DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY Lisa Weaver 614-873-3414 www.derdutchman.com DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY Linda Miller 330-893-2981 www.derdutchman.com DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT AND CARLISLE GIFTS Michelle Fry 419-886-7070 www.derdutchman.com DUTCH VALLEY RESTAURANT AND BAKERY Carol Miller 330-852-4627 www.dutch-valley.com HOFBRAUHAUS COLUMBUS Susan Von Bargen 614-294-2437 www.hofbrauhauscolumbus.com

RAMADA BY WYNDHAM Denise McConnell 330-878-1400 www.strasburgramadalimited.com RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT CLEVELAND AVON AT THE EMERALD EVENT CENTER Rex Engle 440-937-0909 www.marriott.com/cleab

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