CLARK COUNTY – On Saturday March 18 the exhibits of the Heritage Center of Clark County to magically come to life. Historical surprises will be in store at the tenth annual Night at the Museum.
Visitors of all ages are invited to take part in an entertaining evening of history, laughter, music, and dance.
Beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday March 18, small groups of guests will take guided tours of the museum. Throughout the evening, tours will start every ten minutes. Visitors will meet historical people of Springfield’s past, including President and Mrs. Teddy Roosevelt, Orville Wright, Simon Kenton, A.B. Graham, the founder of 4H, Gus Sun, Lillian Gish, and the infamous Fair at New Boston Ratcatcher.
Frontiersmen, inventors, and sister suffragettes will mix with farmers from the 1920’s as the stories of Clark County are told by those who once used the artifacts in the museum. Some new characters will be mixed in with familiar favorites as they bring the museum to life.
The tour begins and ends with music; colonial ballads, banjo music and dulcimers. President Teddy Roosevelt and the lovely Mrs. Roosevelt will tell about their visit to Wittenberg. A.B. Graham will explain how 4-H got its name. Chief Black Hoof will remind us that the Shawnee lived here first. The infamous Fair at New Boston “Ratcatcher” will make sure that no “vermin” will bother visitors.
A reception with dulcimer music will be held afterwards in the Hellmuth Rotating Gallery on the second floor.
Characters will be portrayed by living history specialists from the Fair at New Boston, the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association (GRCHA), the Clark County Historical Society, Crabill House, the Davidson Interpretive Center, Hertzler House, and other community volunteers. Proceeds are to benefit The Heritage Center of Clark County and George Rogers Clark Heritage Association.
This event has been recognized by the Ohio Local History Alliance (OHIOLHA) for its outstanding achievement in Local History Outreach. OHIOLHA is affiliated with the Ohio Historical Society (OHS).
Reservations are required. Tours will begin at 10 minute intervals from 6 to 9 p.m. and last approximately 50 minutes. Visitors are asked to arrive 20 minutes before their scheduled tour. The Heritage Center of Clark County is handicap accessible and is located in downtown Springfield at 117 S. Fountain Avenue. There is plenty of nearby free parking.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adult’s admission is $12. Clark County Historical Society and GRCHA member tickets will be $10. Children and students under 18 years are only $5. To make reservations, call the Heritage Center at 324-0657.