Zoar resident assumes job as full-time Schoenbrunn site manager

NEW PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in the 14 years that the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum has managed Historic Schoenbrunn Village, the village has its first full-time site manager.

Kris Eddy of Zoar began working there on May 24.

"I'm just thrilled to be here," she said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for me, and I hope I can do this wonderful history the justice it deserves and just keep Schoenbrunn going in a good, positive direction."

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She joins the staff at an important moment in the history of Schoenbrunn. The village, owned by the Ohio History Connection, is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding with a yearlong slate of events.

"With Kris' help, we will be able to move our vision and strategic plan forward to grow the site," said Depot Director Wendy Zucal. "The attention of a full-time, experienced director is another great outcome of the 250th anniversary of the site.

"For example, we just completed rebuilding two missing cabins for the 250th.  We now are moving toward rebuilding the other remaining two. These cabins were originally restored in the 1920s-1930s. They were lost over time to fire, decay. Once these four are rebuilt, the village will focus upon rebuilding some of the other cabins that have never been restored."

Eddy said she doesn't plan any major changes at the village in the near future.

"This year, there are a lot of great activities already planned," Eddy said. "It's the 250th anniversary, so I'm very fortunate to walk in on this celebratory year. The depot, Wendy and their advisory committee have worked so hard. The celebration committee has put so much time and effort into the things they have planned this year.

"So this year, I'm looking forward to just getting to know the volunteers and the staff that is here and at the depot and really kind of relearning this history. It's been a long time since I've dived into this."

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

Eddy grew up at Atwood Lake and is a graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School. Her love of history began when she worked as a costumed volunteer at Zoar Village.

"I'm always interested in local history," she said. "I think it's very important for people to know their local history and be involved with it. People need to know what their home means, and you should be proud of it. Every town is different and has a different story. It's always fascinating."

Prior to coming to Schoenbrunn, she worked three years as assistant site director at Zoar.

Officials at the Ohio History Connection are pleased with operations at Schoenbrunn.

"Our partners at Dennison Railroad Depot Museum have done incredible work growing audience and community engagement at the site and this opportunity to work together to have a full-time site manager is an opportunity to wisely invest in Schoenbrunn’s future," the organization said in a statement.

"The Ohio History Connection is excited to support this work in collaboration with Dennison Railroad Depot Museum staff and board."

In another staff addition, Kelsey Golec has been hired by the depot to be manager of the museum's popular Polar Express train excursion. She will also serve as the depot's legal affairs director.

Golec is a graduate of Ashland University and earned her juris doctorate degree from Capital University in Columbus.

A longtime depot volunteer, she started working on the Polar Express in the fourth grade. She previously worked at the museum as registrar and membership coordinator.

She also chairs the museum's Emerging Professionals, which holds the depot's gala each year

"Through our recent 5-year strategic planning, there was a consensus that we needed to hire a Polar Express manager," Zucal said. "There are very few people who thoroughly understand the vast scope of a project that entails over 300 volunteers, multiple partner contracts and 15,000 passengers each year.  Kelsey is one and she will be a very welcome addition to the museum team."

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Zoar resident assumes job as full-time Schoenbrunn site manager