Learning Activities

Explore learning opportunities at Historic Zoar Village.

Learning Programs & Group Tours

School Programs

Your guide to school programs, camps, classes, and tours.

Students learn about life in the 1850s through tinsmithing, butter churning, making a toy, planting a seed, pulling bread out of the ovens, pumping in the bellows in the blacksmith shop, and more!

Activities are tailored to the amount of time for the tour and the interests of the teacher.

$5/student, $7/adult. Teachers, aides, and chaperones are free

Allow at least 1½ hours for tour – 2 hours is better.

Scholarships and grants are available to help cover admission costs. Learn more by emailing [email protected] or by calling 330-874-3011.

Build a lock and take a walk on this Ohio & Erie Canal adventure! Students visit the Ohio & Erie Canal museum where they will analyze primary documents about the canal and view a model of a canal boat.

In the second part of the program, students hike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail to Lock 10 to see what remains of the canal and the buildings along the canal.

$5/student, $6/parent chaperone. Available all year! Allow 2 hours for tour.

Experience the sights and sounds of the battlefield, camp and home front! Reenactors, first-person characters, and costumed interpreters explain what life was like during the Civil War. Registration required. Held in odd years.

Scholarships are available for any school or outreach program. All you need to do is submit an application. Scholarships may be used for transportation or admission fees.

Scholarships and grants are available by emailing [email protected] or by calling 330-874-3011.

Students will have the opportunity to meet some U.S. Presidents from various eras from 1817-1898 covering Zoar’s history. Other characters from Zoar’s history will also be found throughout the village. Presidential themed activities and games will be available along wth museum building tours and demonstrations. Reenactors from various eras will be on hand for demonstrations! This event is similar to Civil War School Day.
Cost is $7 per student, one adult is free per group, additional adults are $7 each. Children 4 and under are free. Open to public, private, and homeschool students. Groups of 10 or more, please email [email protected]

Outreach Programs

Each outreach program is an hour-long version of the field trips – but instead take place in your classroom with a costumed interpreter!
Cost is $75/class.

Students learn about the people of Zoar and then complete an activity that teaches students why the Separatists chose a communal way of life.

Learn about Zoar and the Ohio & Erie Canal by interpreting primary sources, viewing a model of a canal boat, and analyzing historic photographs of Zoar and the canal. Learn why the canal was an important form of transportation.

The German Schoolmaster visits your classroom to teach a typical Zoar School Day. Use slates and slate pencils, copy maxims, learn arithmetic, and try a spelling test.

Homeschool Days

History comes alive for your homeschooled student with an array of hands on activities.

Hands-on activities in the historic buildings help your children experience life in the 1850s! Crafts focus on spring cleaning and planting.

$5/student, 1 adult free, $7/additional adults (18+).

Available only on September 8, 2017, 9am-3pm. Experience the sights and sounds of the battlefield, camp, and home front! Reenactors, first-person characters, and costumed interpreters explain what life was like during the Civil War.

Registration required by 5pm, Friday, September 1. $5/student, $7/parent.

Students will have the opportunity to meet some U.S. Presidents from various eras from 1817-1898 covering Zoar’s history. Other characters from Zoar’s history will also be found throughout the village. Presidential themed activities and games will be available along wth museum building tours and demonstrations. Reenactors from various eras will be on hand for demonstrations! This event is similar to Civil War School Day.
Cost is $7 per student, one adult is free per group, additional adults are $7 each. Children 4 and under are free. Open to public, private, and homeschool students. Groups of 10 or more, please email [email protected]

Classes for Adults

To make reservations for a class, call (330)874-3011.

This six-week class meets once a week on Thursdays from 3pm-5pm at the Zoar Schoolhouse. Instructor Jack Fetzer from Canton, Ohio, will lead you through the basics of material layout and design as well as watercolor painting techniques.

Cost is $60/participant and reservations are required. A supply list will be given when you make your reservation.  Check our calendar for dates and other upcoming classes and events.

Learn the basics of blacksmithing as you forge a hook and nail from 8am-5pm. This class features plenty of time at the anvil while you discover the history of smithing.

Limited to 4 apprentices and reservations are required. $110/participant.

Must have completed the Beginning Blacksmithing Class to register.

Students spend all day at the forge working on a project to take home. Project may include leaf work, fullering, horseshoes, fire poker, rake, or a paper towel or bathroom tissue holder.

Limited to 3 apprentices and reservations are required. Class is from 8am-5pm and $135/participant.

Must have completed the Intermediate and Beginning Blacksmithing classes to register.

Students will spend the day learning forge welding and fire welding at the old forge. Working projects may include a welded fire poker, nail header, and chain.

Limited to 2 apprentices and reservations are required. Class is from 8am-5pm and $145/participant.

An introduction to blade making at the old forge. Students will be introduced to the mechanics of the timeless art of blade making. Participants will create projects to take home. and includes all instruction, materials, and lunch.

Participant must have completed the Beginning and Intermediate Blacksmithing Classes to register.

Limited to two apprentices. Reservations are required. Class is from 8 am – 5 pm and $155/participant (or $139.50/participant for ZCA members).

Learn the basics of cross stitching and needle point. Instructors will give you a brief history of the craft followed by a hands on interactive class. Materials and pattern will be provided. Breakfast and lunch are included. Reservations are required. Class is from 9am- 2pm and is $50/participant.

Learn the art of baking an authentic Zoar Pretzel. Baker Nancy Gordon Wyatt will instruct participants on the art of making their own batch of Zoar pretzels, while learning the history of the baked good. Nancy’s pretzels frequently sell out during Zoar festivals, so learn to make this delectable treat for you and your family.

Cost for the class is $50/person and includes all baking supplies needed. There is a limited amount of space available in the course, so call (330) 874-3011 to make your reservation today.

Group Tours

Groups of 10 or more are welcomed by appointment for guided and specialty tours.

Group tours may be booked any time of the year. Groups of 10 or more may tour our historic museums with a costumed guide for $7/adult and $4/child. Add a tour of the Zoar Church for $50. Allow for an additional half hour for this presentation and organ performance. Call 330-874-3011 for availability.

Lunch Options:

Enjoy a boxed lunch in the Zoar Schoolhouse from local eatery Zoar Market, or choose a German menu catered by Benson’s Market and Catering.

You may also contact Canal Tavern of Zoar (330-874-4444) or Firehouse Grille and Pub (330-874-2170) for lunch in a historic Zoar building.

Nearby Bolivar offers American dining at the Towpath Tavern (330-874-6141) or a diner-style menu from Canal Street Diner (330-874-4814).

Tours leave each night at 6:30, 6:45, 7:00, 7:15, or 7:30. Costumed interpreters share spooky tales of the former inhabitants as you walk through the historic buildings and streets by lantern light. Encounter ghosts in the buildings and gardens of Zoar!

Cost for these tours is $15/adult (11+), $10/child and reservations are required.

Learn the Christmas legends and traditions of Zoar like the broomstick tree and the clay horn. See the buildings decorated for a 19th-century Christmas and enjoy Christmas carols played on the organ in the original Meeting House — now the Zoar United Church of Christ.

Cost is $8/adult and $4/child for groups of 6 or more. Tours are by appointment only, so call to make reservations and to add an authentic German lunch to your day!

Saturdays in Zoar: Free Speaker Series

This award-winning series takes place on the first Saturday of every month, at 1pm in the Zoar Schoolhouse. Topics focus on the people and events that made local, state and national history. Check our calendar for upcoming speaker events. Visit our blog for recordings of previous speaker series events.

Learning Resources

Learning resources are available for preparing your students for their visit to Zoar.

Civil War in Zoar

September 16 & 17, 2023

Please note online ticketing has closed for Civil War in Zoar, but you can still purchase walk-on tickets. 

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