Hidden History

Life in the village, formed by the Society of Separatists of Zoar, was both idyllic and filled with hard work. Leader and minister Joseph Bimeler is credited for steering his community, once totaling 7,000 acres, into prosperity. Bimeler’s original, modest log cabin still stands and can be viewed from the outside. But to engage more with the environment, look for the beautiful two-and-a-half story red brick and sandstone Number One House, built in 1835 as a home for the elderly. It was given to Bimeler for his personal residence after older members of the village decided they would rather live in their own homes. And now it stands as a museum full of Zoar Village artifacts, including tools, cooking utensils and historic documents.

Zoarites rose early and worked long hours six days a week in specialty fields. Some made metal cups or bread pans in the Tin Shop. Bakery workers added dried hops to dough to help in the rising process and kneaded round loaves of bread to feed the entire village. The blacksmith hand-forged rakes, shovels and nails, while seamstresses created linens and clothing around a long table in The Sewing House (these women often worked with the same one-print-suits-all dress fabric). Shepherds tended sheep, as mutton stew was a frequent meal. Women also toiled in the laundry, a structure with only two walls so clothes could be hung and exposed to the air and sun to dry.

Children age three and over were given chores and lived in boys’ and girls’ dormitories, enabling parents to work all day. Family members mostly interacted only on weekends, but the dormitories were discontinued in 1845.

The beautiful brick Meeting House was built in 1853 with a cupola and bell said to be cast with silver dollars mixed with ore to give it a distinct sound. These days, the building is the Zoar United Church of Christ, welcoming all for service. The Zoar Hotel, built in 1833, was a favorite retreat for President William McKinley and visitors of every social level, and brought more wealth and outsiders to the village. While exterior renovation is now finished, it will still be a while before the interior is complete and ready to be viewed by the public.

“Zoar is still a stage where Ohio’s history is told,” says tour guide Craig Stambaugh, whose wife’s great-grandfather was a member of the communal society.

Zoar Today

Zoar’s communal society was abandoned after the influence of outsiders, a changing American economy and evolving transportation methods tested residents’ devotion and personal plans. When the society ended its formal arrangement, the land, businesses and buildings were distributed to remaining residents. But much of the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere was not lost and about 45 historic buildings have been saved in Zoar.

Self-guided tours are enjoyable and informative thanks to educational signage. But small-group tours offer the best way to really appreciate the lifestyle and culture of Zoar Village residents, especially since the guides will often wear era-appropriate clothing to help set the scene. Your guide will point out the community’s architectural gems and easy-to-overlook building elements, such as tiny windows at the top of a two-story building that served as entries to a pigeon roost.

Tickets for tours conducted by guides are available at the Zoar Store and Visitor’s Center at 198 Main Street. Since its construction in 1833, the structure has always been a retail space of some kind; today it houses a gift shop with items like beeswax candles, local history books and apple butter. Be sure to stop for blackberry scones, vegetable dill sandwiches, stuffed pepper soup and other made-from-scratch goodies at the Tin Shop Coffee House, located in the center of the village.

“You feel like you jumped back a couple centuries here. It’s really just amazing to walk around and feel the tranquility. Even if you aren’t a history buff, the buildings are beautiful and the garden is spectacular,” says Historic Site Manager Tammi Mackey Shrum.