Century Village Museum in Burton offering free tours

Geauga County Historical Society is conducting a bit of an experiment this year.

The organization is offering free guided tours at Century Village Museum on Saturdays from May through October, except during a few festivals.

This is an attempt to attract more people to the museum, especially those who have never visited or haven’t lately, said Bill Jackson of the GCHS Publicity Committee.

“Instilling an interest in our shared history has become increasingly difficult in recent years with so many competing demands for our limited time,” he said.

“The board of the society, supported by a generous grant from three Geauga County families, has determined to offer the free Saturday guided tours during the warm weather months of 2018 as an inducement to families and individuals who might not otherwise visit.”

Space will be limited, so visitors will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduled tours will take place at 11 a.m., and 1 and 3 p.m.

The tours will be about 1 1/2 to 2 hours long and visit as many of the historic buildings as possible during the time. The public will have the opportunity to choose particular buildings of interest to visit.

The free tours won’t be available during the Antique Power Exhibition, the Raccoon County Music Festival nor the Apple Butter Festival.

A number of improvements have been made to existing displays and new exhibits added in the last few years.

Some buildings that have been completely renovated and restaged include the Hitchcock House, the Boughton House, the Cook House, the Bainbridge Store, the Schoolhouse and the Ladies’ Friend. Among the new venues are the Apothecary, the Leather Shop and the soon-to-be-opened Maple Museum.

The Law House is now the home of the annual Textile Exhibition, which in 2018 will feature the clothing of the World War I period.

Individual and group tours can be arranged on other days for $8 per adult and $5 for children ages 6 and older. Non-Saturday tours are subject to at least three-day advanced notice so that an interpreter can be scheduled to guide the tour.

“The museum is one of the largest and best-staged history sites in Ohio, and offers many opportunities to learn more about the rich pioneer and settlement history of Ohio’s Western Reserve,” Jackson said.

Century Village Museum is located on the southeast corner of Burton Square, 14653 E. Park St.

For more information on the society’s tour program, call 440-834-1492.

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