08/30/2026
Enjoy “Geauga History Around the County” when Bainbridge Historical Society. Chesterland Historical Foundation, and South Newbury Union Chapel National Register Historic Site team up to participate in Ohio Open Doors. Admission to all Ohio Open Doors events is free.
Special activities will take place at Bainbridge Historical Society’s Bissell-Tucek House Museum on September 12 from noon-4:00 p.m., at Chesterland Historical Foundation’s Village on September 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and at South Newbury Union Chapel National Register Historic Site on September 19 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Bainbridge Historical Society will present Living History Demonstrations and Hands-On Experiences on Saturday, September 12 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. at their Bissell-Tucek House Museum at 17870 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge Township, OH 44023. The museum is located within Heritage Park, just south of the Bainbridge Township Fire Station. If weather permits, some demonstrations will take place outside in the grass or pathways surrounding the house.
Join costumed interpreters as they bring history to life through demonstrations and discussions. Built in 1835, the Bissell-Tucek House Museum will be open for tours. Guides will give you a glimpse of what life was like for Geauga pioneers who worked the land and built towns with schools, churches, blacksmith shops and more. Learn what life was like for a teacher in a one-room school-house. Try your hand at some of the domestic chores required of pioneer women. See how farm work took strength and stamina to use the tools and equipment of the times. The two-story house is handicapped accessible. This event is appropriate for children and adults.
Chesterland’s Historical Village will feature “A Day in a One-Room Schoolhouse” on Saturday, September 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the village at 7698 Mayfield Rd. Chesterland. Visitors will experience what it was like to attend a one room school around 1900. What lessons were taught, what games were played, did you have recess? Learn what teachers needed to be able to do to teach and some history of early education in Chester Township.
South Newbury Union Chapel National Register Historic Site will open its doors for an open house on Saturday, September 19, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at 15829 Ravenna Rd, Newbury Township. Drop in for a sneak peek before the restoration project begins on this National Register property. Chapel trustees will share the current status and future plans as well as compelling stories of the past, including bloomer girls, suffrage marches, and election smoke-outs. Learn about the area’s associated historic sites, including the 1876 Centennial Oak and the South Newbury Cemetery. Merchandise on sale will include acorns from the Centennial Oak, art prints, and Cat’s Meow Village Union Chapel and Centennial Oak.
This is the first year for the “Geauga History Around the County” initiative that encourages collaboration between local historic sites and historical societies during Ohio Open Doors.
During Ohio Open Doors, visitors can discover Ohio’s amazing heritage from Friday, Sept. 6, through Sunday, Sept. 15, as historic buildings and fascinating places across the state open their doors for tours and events as part of the Ohio History Connection’s annual event. A list of the statewide events and activities is available at ohiohistory.org/opendoors.
“Ohio Open Doors shares stories of important landmarks and interesting sites right in our backyards, highlighting the history and unique nature of some of Ohio’s most treasured places,” said Diana Welling, Director of the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office and State Historic Preservation Officer.
Ohio Open Doors is state-wide event that takes place every other year. During Ohio Open Doors, stewards of historic buildings, places and spaces, open their doors to the public for special tours and programs. Many events are exclusive to Ohio Open Doors. Since the program started in 2016 hosts have noted upticks in visitation during Ohio Open Doors.
The Ohio History Connection created Ohio Open Doors in 2016 to promote and inspire pride in Ohio’s heritage and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Oct. 15, 1966, the Act has proven instrumental in
transforming communities from coast to coast, establishing the legal framework and incentives to preserve historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites. It drives economic revitalization by attracting investment, supporting small business, stabilizing neighborhoods and creating jobs.
Ohio Open Doors partner organizations include the Ohio Arts Council, Tourism Ohio, the Ohio Travel Association and Heritage Ohio. For more information go to ohiohistory.org/opendoors
