Ohio History Connection to resume operation of Schoenbrunn Village

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum is turning back management of Historic Schoenbrunn Village to the Ohio History Connection in Columbus, which owns the site.

The Dennison Depot took over management of the reconstructed 18th century Moravian–Delaware village in New Philadelphia in 2008, when the Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society) was seeking help from local community organizations to lead and bring stronger community engagement to its network of 58 sites across the state. The Depot was one of the first organizations to take on the challenge.

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Since that time, the Dennison Depot has developed a tourism partnership known as “the History Loop” that connects three Tuscarawas County historic sites, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, Historic Schoenbrunn Village and the Clay Capital Heritage Center in Uhrichsville.

Why is Ohio History Connection taking over Schoenbrunn Village?

Depot board President Scott Robinson explained the need for the change:

“Since we took over the site, the Depot has continued to expand exponentially. Our campus has grown to include the recently opened Pullman Bed & Breakfast, the Streetside Center, and the Business Car as well as major construction at the Clay Museum which includes a new collections storage facility.

"Our visionary team of staff and volunteers also has many other exciting projects in the pipeline that require attention. It was the unanimous consensus between the board of trustees and the staff that we needed to refocus on our attention on these initiatives. Throughout our tenure, we have greatly valued our partnership with OHC, and the support of our Schoenbrunn volunteers the community of New Philadelphia.”

The Depot will continue to operate the site through the end of March.

"We are going to ensure Schoenbrunn Village opens for the 2023 season (spring through fall) under Ohio History Connection management," said Jennifer Aultman, chief historic sites officer for the organization.

"For this interim period, we’ll look to the staff members and volunteers there who know the site best to keep it up and running under Ohio History Connection management.

"Meanwhile, we’ll meet with stakeholders to develop a vision and profile for the next site management partner. This includes engaging the Moravian Church and the Delaware Tribes so they can share input on the future of site management."

More hours, more stuff at Schoenbrunn Village

She added, "The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum has done such a fantastic job of managing this site, and we want to build on their hard work with that next partner."

During the time the Depot operated Schoenbrunn Village, it increased hours of operation and developed an event calendar with a variety of events such as the Colonial Trade Faire, Sleepy Hollow Outdoor Drama, spring and fall lantern tours, the Great Pumpkin Glow, Children’s Day, the Food Truck Fest and Homeschool Day.

More on Schoenbrunn:Mural marks 250th anniversary of Schoenbrunn Village founding in 1772

In 2022, the Depot led a 250th anniversary of the founding of the village, marking the occasion with a ceremony and commemoration.

A number of legacy gifts were completed, including two new cabins, a Delaware sculpture, a tree planting effort and Phase I of the new interpretive plan which adds a stronger Delaware voice into the narrative. The anniversary will wrap up in May when Phase II of the new interpretation plan will add a new exhibition.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dennison Railroad Depot Museum ends management of Schoenbrunn Village