Historic Roscoe Village

Name: Historic Roscoe Village Christmas & Candlelighting Ceremony
Start: 2026-12-05
End: 2026-12-12
Location: 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 the Canal Town Discovery Walk tour 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.

When you go:

Arrive at the canal boat landing 20 minutes prior to your scheduled ride.

The 45 minute canal boat ride includes tales of life on the canal as riders glide down the 1 mile of Ohio and Erie Canal.

Handicap Parking is available at the Boat Landing, use the gravel driveway to access these spaces.

Restrooms, snacks and souvenirs are available at the boat landing.

The boat will run in light rain, but not during thunderstorms or high winds. Please call ahead in questionable weather. (740)622-3415

Leashed pets are welcome to ride with their families.

It’s a good idea to wear insect repellent on the boat.

The horses are very gentle and may be greeted when in their shelter, but not while working.

Johnson Humrickhouse Museum

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 public hours Monday-Friday. Please contact 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 $5.00 ¦ Children $4.00 (7 – 18 yrs.) ¦ Family $15.00 (2 adults with children living in household). Annual memberships are available and offer unlimited free admission and other discounts.

Crafts available will vary.

Practice the craft of a tinsmith by transforming a simple piece of tin into a decorative ornament.

Using only their fingers and a piece of pre-cut wicking, participants hand-dip the wick to form their own small pair of candles.

Duplicate the early methods of weavers to create a small (approx. 2” square) weaving to take home.

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.

After learning about some Canal Era toys, participants are invited to decorate a wooden top, a 19th century favorite, using washable paint.

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.

A warehouse owned by James LeRetilley once occupied this site. It was reclaimed as a garden by Mrs. Montgomery in 1975.

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.

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.

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.

A stone wall and picket fence are the focal points of this garden which was created along the path of the canal.

Mrs. Montgomery designed this garden using stone from an existing house foundation and stone from the old Coshocton County Jail.

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.

A Chandler Hut and Gazebo anchor this area to provide a place to sit and rest.

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.