Historic Roscoe Village
Plan to spend the day in Historic Roscoe Village! The self-guided Living History tour brings past to present with life-size digital kiosks. The workplaces and stories of 19th century tradespeople like printing press operators, broom squires, weavers, doctors and teachers are included. Tours are available every day from 10 AM - 4PM and begin at the Roscoe Village Visitor Center. Guests may add a visit to the nationally-accredited Johnson Humrickhouse Museum to make the day complete.
Where History Comes to Life!
Roscoe Village Visitor Center is open 7 days a week with Living History Tours offered daily from 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. Experience what life was like in an Ohio and Erie Canal Town during the 1800's when you hear from the town's Doctor, Printer, Weaver, Blacksmith, Teacher, and Broom-maker. Self-guided tours are available year round, allowing guests to go at their own pace, visiting shops and restaurants along with the Living History buildings that are all situated in the village. Guests may enjoy hands-on crafts year-round in the Hay Craft and Learning Building, and can see a working model of the canal locks and displays of area history at the Roscoe Village Visitor Center.
Horse-drawn Canal Boat Rides
The Monticello III Horse-drawn Canal Boat operates Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, then on Saturday and Sundays through October 22.
Call ahead to be sure the boat is running, as weather conditions can affect this schedule. Click Learn More for details and contact information.
"A Roscoe Christmas" Tour - November and December
Experience a true old-fashioned Christmas at this candlelight tour of the Living History Buildings decorated for Christmas. Hear about the evolution of the Christmas card as your print your own 1800's Christmas postcard. Play with some Canal Era toys and make a simple toy to take home. Learn about 1800's Christmas decorations and sample a few Christmas treats. Reminisce about "visions of sugarplums" from Christmases past at this memorable holiday tour. Groups of 10 or more are invited to contact the marketing department at (800) 877-1830 for special group rates.
Toy Cellar
This free exhibit at Historic Roscoe Village features over 400 vintage toys made by American manufacturers, many made right here in Ohio. This remarkable 40-year collection on loan to the Roscoe Village Foundation by a private collector, contains a wide variety of toys from yesteryear include kaleidoscopes, marbles, alphabet boards, comic characters, games, construction sets, wind ups, electric trains and much more!
When you go:
The Toy Cellar is located in the lower level of the Toll House in the center of Historic Roscoe Village. Hours are Saturday and Sunday 1:00pm to 3:30pm, April thru mid-October. Also open Saturdays of Candlelightings in December. Admission is free.
Hands-On Crafts
Visit the Hay Craft and Learning Center for an afternoon of old-time fun! Paint a wooden top, dip a candle, punch tin, design a quilt square, make a rope or a civil war doll. Create a historic keepsake to remember your visit. All of this combines to make history entertaining for all ages.
Crafts available will vary.
- Tin Punching
Practice the craft of a tinsmith by transforming a simple piece of tin into a decorative ornament.
- Candle Dipping
Using only their fingers and a piece of pre-cut wicking, participants hand-dip the wick to form their own small pair of candles.
- Weaving
Duplicate the early methods of weavers to create a small (approx. 2” square) weaving to take home.
- Rope Making
When the captain needed rope to secure his canal boat to its moorings, he made a visit to the local rope-maker. Join in the fun of twisting rope from simple jute twine.
- Top Painting
After learning about some Canal Era toys, participants are invited to decorate a wooden top, a 19th century favorite, using washable paint.
- Design a Quilt Square
Nineteenth century quilters often used the patterns of the day, but the colors of the design made it their own personal creation. Using a traditional pattern, participants cut pieces from their color blocks to create and arrange their design. The resulting quilt square can become the basis for a wall hanging or pillow that they can fashion at home.
When you go:
Allow 20-30 minutes per craft. Pre-register groups by calling 800-877-1830.
Gardens of Roscoe Village
Many people visit Roscoe Village simply to walk through the beautiful gardens planted throughout this restored 1800s canal town. The flower beds were created in the early 1970's by Frances Montgomery out of her love for gardening. Many of the gardens have historical significance and assist in the education mission of Roscoe Village.
- LeRetilley Fish Pond & Garden
A warehouse owned by James LeRetilley once occupied this site. It was reclaimed as a garden by Mrs. Montgomery in 1975.
- Caldersburg Garden
James Calder founded this area in 1816; it was renamed Roscoe in 1831. The Canal Boat Exhibit was built in 2001 and the gardens were planted to give the area a natural look.
- Butterfly Garden
To reduce the high maintenance of annuals that were planted every year, this garden was re-designed as a butterfly garden. The butterfly bath provides the water butterflies need.
- Toll House Garden
This was the first garden planted by Mrs. Montgomery. Many of the plants came from her home on Hill Street. Mrs. Montgomery used plants with red berries and white flowers.
- Eliza’s Garden
A stone wall and picket fence are the focal points of this garden which was created along the path of the canal.
- Buckeye Garden
Mrs. Montgomery designed this garden using stone from an existing house foundation and stone from the old Coshocton County Jail.
- Frances Montgomery Memorial Garden
This garden was dedicated to honor Mrs. Montgomery and her passion for gardening. From the waterfall to the stonework, this garden features many of her favorite plants.
- Gazebo Garden
A Chandler Hut and Gazebo anchor this area to provide a place to sit and rest.
- Weaver’s Garden
The Daniel Boyd house was moved to this spot in 1990. In 2003, the Master Gardeners converted the area to a weaver’s garden with plants that were used for dying cloth.
Johnson Humrickhouse Museum
See the Famous Newark Holy Stones While in Roscoe Village, stop at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum to see their permanent exhibits of Historic Ohio, Euro–American decorative arts, American Indian, and Asian arts. They are also home to the controversial Newark Holy Stones unearthed in the 1860s in the Newark Ohio Earthworks. The inscriptions on the Holy Stones are written in Hebrew and one of the stones in thought to bear the image of Moses. The museum also offers a gallery that changes exhibits throughout the year featuring quilts, sports memorabilia, antiques, art and more. JHM is handicapped accessible and has a gift shop offering collection-related books, fine craft, jewelry and decorative items.
When you go:
Check the museum website for special exhibits, events, lectures, tour and programs for youth, adults, and groups.
JHM is open to the public 12:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M. Tuesday-Sunday. They offer appointments before our public hours Monday-Friday. Please contact us at 740-622-8710 or at jhmuseum@jhmuseum.org if you would like to make an appointment.
Closed: New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas.
Admission: Adults $4.00 ¦ Children $3.00 (7 – 18 yrs.) ¦ Family $11.00 (2 adults with children living in household). Annual memberships are available and offer unlimited free admission and other discounts.
Must See Stops In Roscoe Village
