NorthEast

Reviews about the Northeast Corner of Ohio

Repost: Blossom Center for the Performing Arts and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Blossom – https://www.clevelandamphitheater.com/

Cuyahoga Valley National Park – http://www.nps.gov/CUVA/index.htm

Blossom Center for the Performing Arts is located in Cuyahoga Falls outside of Cleveland. It is an outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts and is the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra. Blossom’s pavilion section seats 5,700 people, with space for about 13,500 more on the lawn. Blossom is a great place to see the orchestra and more upscale productions, but has does not always receive favorable reviews for rock concerts. The are many options of what to see at the Blossom, so one should go to the there first before deciding the place is a waste of time. The best seats are under the pavilion (no worries about rain), but expect to pay more than a lawn seat.

The Blossom Music Center for the Performing Arts is located inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This park was first established as a national recreation area in 1974 by President Ford and designated a national park on October 11, 2000. It was established because many people in the area wanted to prevent urban sprawl from taking over the land.

There are many things to do inside the park. Some of them include backpacking, bicycling, bird watching, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, golfing, picnicking, horseback riding, train riding, and winter sports. There are also Ranger led events all year long. Now this is something for everyone.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates 12 months a year and offers transportation in the park. This is a great way to not have to drive in parts of the park. One wanting to ride the railroad should first visit http://www.cvsr.com/. This will give a good idea of prices and where to board the train. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates outside of the park also, so definitely visit their site to figure out which city to board in so you are on the right train trip that goes through the park.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a national park is hiking and Cuyahoga does not let down. Cuyahoga has over 125 miles of hiking trails. A portion of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail also passes through the park. There is a trail for everyone at the park. One trail of mention is the Towpath Trail. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is nearly level and accessible to all visitors. The trail follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal. You can walk or bike on what used to have mule pulled canal boats on it.

The park offers campsites and even offers a small bed and breakfast. The park is located between Cleveland and Akron Ohio, so those two cities also have hotels and so do many of the cities in between. Lodging in or around the park is not a problem.

One can spend the day hiking then seeing a concert at Blossom Music Center. The Blossom Center for the Performing Arts and Cuyahoga Valley National Park are two great places in Northeast Ohio not to be missed.

Malabar Farm State Park

4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843

https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/malabar-farm-state-park

Just outside of Mansfield is a unique state park. It is probably the most movie related state park in Ohio, and the only working farm in the system. This park was once the home to a world famous author, whose world famous friends got married there. It was also one of the shooting locations for one of the most famous film made in Ohio.

In 1939, author Louis Bromfield built a large 32-room Western Reserve style house, known as the Big House, on 580 acres of land he had purchased in the Pleasant Valley area. The house and farm were famous from the beginning. Many of Louis’ famous friends would visit him and spend time working on the farm. On weekends, tours were given. On May 21, 1941, the most famous event at the farm would solidify its fame. On that day, Lauren Bacall married Humphrey Bogart in the Big House.

Twice daily, April through December, the park offers tours of the house. The tours are reasonably priced and can last from 75-90 minutes, depending on the group size. The tours visit almost every room of the house and give both the history of Louis Bromfield’s work, how he and his family lived at the farm, and insight into the wedding and other famous guest visits. It is a must-do while at the farm. Another must-do while at the farm is a tour of the farm. The hour-long wagon tours, offered May through October, are the best way to see the fields, a bit of the woods, and most of the harder to reach buildings. The tours talk about the history of the farm land, the out buildings, the ghost, and about what’s going on during the current season. The two tours are generally offered back to back and are started at the Big House. Visit the visitor center for details.

After the tours leave time to visit the farm. The state park is not the only park to once have been a farm, but is the only park that is a still working one. Near the Big House is the main barn. Here dances and other events are held through out the year. This is also where the animals of the farm reside. Traditional farm yard animals like goats, sheep, cattle, and more are on view for visitors to see. Around the barn large farm equipment and other workings of th site can be found. Along with the barn are many other small buildings used for farm work. The type of work and going-ons vary through out the year.

While the main attraction at the farm is called the Big House, the name is also a term used to describe large state prisons, like the nearby Ohio State Reformatory, where The Shawshank Redemption was famously filmed. Around the area of the farm and prison is the Shawshank Trail. This trail leads to filming locations outside of the prison. One site, the cabin in the opening of the movie, is located at Malabar farm. Just outside of the farm is the location of the tree, which has since been removed due to damage. The site is on private property but is best viewed from a pull off on the state park grounds.

Outside of the Shawshank trail, the house, and the farm are many acres of hiking trails, hills, springs, ponds and other attractions. One of the lesser known but very popular trails is Butternut Trail. The mile long trail leads to Butternut Cave, a small cave in a wood outcropping of rocks. A few other small trails run through out the park. There also is one long distance 7 mile bridle trail, with hiking permitted. The visitor center and gift shop has a few exhibits on the type of farming done at the park, the nature, and history, of the area, and more. It should be the first stop on a visit to the park.

While not as outdoor focused as other state parks, Malabar State Park has enough stuff to fill a day of history, hiking, learning, and good times.

Tip: Mohican State Park is only a few miles away and offers lodging, food, and more hiking trails.

Age of Steam Roundhouse

213 Smokey Lane Rd SW, Sugarcreek, OH 44681

https://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.org

in 1837 the first steam locomotive began running in Ohio. It ran a 33 mile, three hour, trek between Toledo and Adrian. With in 50 years the entire nation was being connected with steam powered railroads. Only 50 years later and the first diesel engines started to revolutionize the rail industry. By the 1990’s steam was only used for recreational uses in amusement parks, tourist lines, and museums. In the eastern part of Ohio is one such museum preserving these classic locomotive, along with a few diesel’s, and some rolling stock.

Jerry Jacbson was once the owner of the Ohio Central Railroad from 1988-2008, when he sold it to Genesee & Wyoming. He didn’t sell everything to them, however, keeping the vintage equipment and a depot in Sugarcreek. To house all of his historic trains, and open them up to the public, he built a large roundhouse, the first in the US since diesel took over.

The Age of Steam Roundhouse is more than just a static collection of trains on display. The 34 acre site contains “two miles of storage tracks, a depot, store house, coal loader, wood water tank, ash pit, back shop” and of course the roundhouse. The 18 stall roundhouse is open April through November on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Guided tours at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm are the only way to see the building and the 115 foot turntable behind it because it is a working shop. Along with regular tours the museum hold special events. Evening lantern tours, Father day train events, Steam to Victory World War 2 remembrance weekend, Longer more in depth tours, and of course Santa visits in December.

The tour lasts about 1 – 1.5 hours. Starting in the middle of the round house a basic explanation of how a steam engine works is given. After that the tour moves on to the massive engines on display. The guide we had was very knowledgeable about the locomotives and seemed to have more facts than the hour tour would allow. As he informed the group about the history of each engine he included them in the overall history of steam power, from its rise over slower modes of transportation to its transition to diesel. Along with history we were given loads of interesting facts, like the use of Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 No.1278 in the cult classic 1980’s Terror Train. Halfway through the tour we were taken outside and saw the large turntable that made the roundhouse possible. It was an impressive site. By the end of the tour we knew a lot about the history of steam power, the trains on display, and the industry the were used in.

Outside of the roundhouse is 2 miles of storage track filled with the rest of the rolling stock, some diesel engines, and other equipment being worked on. Some of it is harder to see being stored in the new storage facility just created. The best way to see it is with a train ride. The train rides however are only offered on special occasions. The ride is a slow paced journey, on about 1/4 mile side track, goes to one end of the yard to the other about 2 times. Overall it is a simple about 15 minute journey. Fun but not really a train trip as much a train ride. Seeing as how it is only offered at special events, it is a must do if available.

When we visited it was a special occasion. The Steam to Victory yearly world war 2 remembrance event was in full swing. Being that diesel was just starting out, Lindbergh had just recently flown across the Atlantic, and that large amounts of people and products were need to be transported for the war effort, steam was a big part of the Allied victory in Europe. For the event the roundhouse grounds were transported back to these days. Multiple reenactment groups showed up to help recreate the look and feel of the time. The roundhouse tour was the normal tour, but outside was a full on GI encampment with tents, small arm and artillery demonstrations, medics tents, and lots of ground vehicles. To the side was even a smal German set up. Included in the price of admission was the tour, unlimited train rides, military demonstrations, military vehicle rides, and a small battle reenactment. All this for only $5 more than the regular price of a tour.

Warther Carving Museums

David Warther Carvings

1775 State Route 39, Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681

http://www.warther.org

David Warther Carvings is a museum/gift shop/workshop/headquarters. It is located in the heart of Ohio Amish Country. David Warther is a master carver who has been carving since a young age. he comes from a tradition of carving, as his grandfather, who also has a museum (see below), is a carver. The main carvings that he does are ships made of ivory.

The museum is a display of David’s carvings. There is a cost to visit but the building has many spacious rooms. The displays are of sailing ships throughout history. There are boats from ancient Egypt all the way up to the 1900’s. The museum offers tours, which is a great way to learn not just about the ships, but also the carving techniques. A lot of the time David Warther himself will show some of his techniques or lead a tour. The museum guests are helped out by magnifying glasses strategically place around the exhibits. You really need these to see all the tiny details. The carvings have lots of tiny scrimshaw, intricately carved pieces, and small work on the ships, which is amazing to look at. When we were at the museum we were able to talk to David and he showed us some of his techniques. You can also see into his workshop and him at work. You get a feel for his passion and his willingness to share, when you go to the museum.

This is truly and not to miss attraction. The museum is easy to navigate. The price is well worth it. You will not be disappointed.

Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens

331 Karl Ave, Dover, OH 44622

https://thewarthermuseum.com

In Amish Country many things are handmade. In Dover is a museum dedicated to some extremely beautiful handmade works of art.The Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens celebrates the life and work of the carver Ernest Warther.

Ernest Warther was born in 1885. He started carving after finding a rusty knife in the dirt. At the age of 14 he started working at the local steel mill. At the mill he found his second love the steam engine. Through out his life he would be carving, sometimes his simple wooden pliers design, sometimes elaborate steam engines and trains.

Eventually his work would outgrow his home and a museum would be opened. The museum would be in his home’s backyard. Visitors from around the world loved his work and the museum too out grow his home. An expansion was built in 1963. For the next decade more carvings were added until Ernest Warther’s death in 1973. 15 years later the museum was expanded again to include the original workshop, and a theater telling the life of the artist. To this day the museum is still in the process of expanding including a kitchen cutlery shop and factory.

American Sheet and Tin Company model by Ernset Warther

The first thing ones sees as they tour the museum is the original workshop. Basically a small shed. The shop is set up as it would be when Warther used it. The tools and materials telling of how intricate the work of carving was. Inside the next room the wall cases are filled with more tools and very small detailed pieces of his work. This is where examples of the more hidden pieces on the larger displays are shown. The carvings look beautiful, but when the small hidden details are shown the work takes on a whole new meaning. With such details one can return and find new things to be awed by. In the center of the room is an animated model of the factory where Ernest Warther worked, including some of his coworkers.

In the theater a short video retells a little of the life story that has already been heard, but also expands on the story of the wooden pliers. The pliers were a simple carving that could be made with under 6 cuts. The design became iconic of Warther and he was seen working on them and giving them away almost all the time. The room includes a large pliers tree with branches made of pliers made of pliers. It is a sight to see.

Finally the last section of the museum houses the larger carvings of trains, canes, and other things. This large section has each work beautifully displayed in a glass case with great lighting. Some of the trains here were made for, or displayed, during Warther’s New York Railroad Tour.

Meeting of Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads

The museum can be toured in half a day, but also begone back through to review any carvings before leaving the grounds. Outside of the museums are Ernest’s wife Frieda’s gardens. They are lovely and worth giving time to. Inside an out of the way building is her button collection. Freida was known for collecting and displaying them. The room is filled floor to ceiling with them.

While most have not heard of the artist, or might have heard of his grandson David Warther, who’s museum is on the main drag between Berlin and Sugarcreek, Ernest Warther’s museum tells the story of his life while focusing on the work. It’s the reason people have been coming to a small home in Dover for the past 80 years and is one of Ohio’s many hidden gems.

Alpine Hills Historical Museum & Sugarcreek Information Center

106 W Main St, Sugarcreek, OH 44681

http://www.villageofsugarcreek.com/experience-sugarcreek/

This museum has three floors and tons of displays. The museum displays the Amish, Swiss, and German heritage of the area. There are interactive and static exhibits. They do a good job of showing how people lived, and live, in the area. There are many displays showing the insides of homes and businesses in the past. There is an audio narration accompanying many of these displays, which is a nice touch. Everywhere you turn in this museum you will find an artifact. It is stuffed with items to look at. The overall time in museum will depend on how long one stops to read and look at each artifact. One could spend between 1 to 3 hours in this place. There are many interesting items to look at. This museum also serves as the information center for the town and is a must stop if in the area. When we went the museum was free, but accepted donations. It would be a good idea to bring a little cash to donate, so the museum can continue.

Lehman’s

https://www.lehmans.com
4779 Kidron Rd, Kidron, OH 44618

In Northeast Ohio is a large hardware store. Unlike the Home Depot’s and Ace’s of the area, this store is a major tourist attraction. While it may seem odd for a hardware store to be a destination, once one visits it is easy to see why. Lehman’s is know for two things, its store, and what it sells.

Jay Lehman opened the store in 1955. Originally it sold non-electrical products to the Amish of the area. With the largest concentration of Amish in the world business was good. As the 70’s rolled on world events caused people to look for alternatives to modern products. Many wanted to have old fashioned things that would work with out the need for modern energy, with its ever rising cost. Lehman’s soon became known as the go to destination for non-electrical and old fashioned things. Originally an old 1915 gas station / hardware store, in 2007 the store expanded to the 35,000 square feet tourist destination it is today.

The exterior is a mishmash of building resembling a small town. The inside is a maze of aisles and departments. It is very easy to get lost in the rooms full of products. This maze like layout and the antique decorations combine to make the shopping experience a fun endeavor instead of a chore. The store has been described as the Jungle Jim’s of hardware stores.

Known for having “low-tech” products the store is a great place to buy things for the homemaking hobbyist. Everything from gardening and farming equipment, to kitchenware and cast iron supplies, to canning supplies can be found. The store also houses bath products and bath product making supplies. Almost any of the traditional hobbies can be supplied at the store.

Besides just being a site for hardware the store has a great selection of snack foods and sodas rivaling the specialty shops of the larger cities. Over 30 different kinds of Root Beer and countless other varieties of soda line the shelves. Further on a toy department houses board games, puzzles, dolls, and an overwhelming selection of non electronic toys and activities.

The store also has a museum like quality although most everything is new and for sale. The thing that gives it its most museum like qualities are the two museums inside. The Aladdin lamp display tells the history of the kerosene lamp company that now resides in the area of the store. The other display is the Buggy Barn which houses the lots of Paul Weaver carvings. These 3D landscapes and farm scenes are a treat to see. The carver is in store every month to talk about them. Along with the carvings the barn also houses demonstrations of the the products the store sells.

Every weekend is a hub of activity with different events happening. While this can be a good thing, it can have down sides. Thousands of visitors can come just to see the store and shop and the events can draw even more. At times it can and will become crowded.

Overall Lehman’s is a great place to take a few hours and travel back to a simpler life. Even if nothing is bought the store itself is worth a visit when in Amish country of Ohio.

Canton Museum of Art

1001 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44702

https://www.cantonart.org/home

First started as a gallery inside of the Canton Public Library in 1935, the Canton Museum of Art has become a treasure trove of art from local artist, to world famous creators. The museum has from its early days been a meeting place to celebrate local artists and create new works. In 1941 the museum moved in to the Case Mansion, who’s doors are still on display. There it thrived. In 1970 the Cultural Center for the Arts was built. The Center has 2 stages , a recital hall, rehearsal spaces, offices and the Art Museum on its 9 acre campus.

The museum can feel small compared to the larger museums around the state, but the it uses its size very well. The Museum consists of 2 major galleries, a gallery for temporary exhibits, with 2 smaller galleries off it, and a permanent collections gallery. The main galleries are large enough to seem massive, but small enough to not overwhelm. The Temporary Exhibit hall focuses on exhibits of national know artists, or themes of major importance. The Permanent collection gallery focuses more on a variety of artist and local creators.

With only two major galleries one might make one think of limited visits, this is not the case. The exhibits change about every four months with almost all new art through out the museum. Every visit can be like going to a whole different museum. The rotation of works means that the museum can have a larger collection than the galleries allow. While with most museums this means that many pieces are in storage all the time, the Canton Museum rotates through its collection much more frequently.

As part of the larger Cultural Center for the Arts the museum adds visual arts to the performance arts. Together they can make for a great evening of the arts. Going to a show on a weeknight? The Museum is open till 8pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Not going to the show but have 2 hours free on a Thursday? Thanks to PNC Thursdays are free. Going Downtown for first Friday celebrations? The museum is free First Fridays too.

Hoover Historical Center

1875 E. Maple St., North Canton, Ohio 44720
https://www.walsh.edu/hoover-historical-center.html

In the 1870’s North Canton’s Hoover family was busy making leather goods. They had started making goods for carriages, but eventually transitioned to making pieces for cars. In 1908 James Murray Spangler, also of North Canton, invented the first upright vacuum. It was simply and basic. He set up a business building them with his family. Both the Spanglers and the Hoovers were doing good business in the area. One day Spangler gave a sweeper to his cousin Susan. Her family was so impressed with it that they stopped making leather goods and bought the patent. The vacuum and the Hoovers of North Canton had become forever linked. The company they formed would became the #1 floor care company in the world. It was so popular that people didn’t just know the name, but used it as a verb describing using the act of vacuum. In 2008 marked the end of an era as the company moved from the Canton area.

Between the 1870’s and 2008 a lot of history happened. The Hoover Historical Center tells the story of this famous family and the company they founded. From the leather tannery they had in their barn to the soap box, broom, and motor they used to change the world. The bulk of the history is housed in the Hoover’s former house, now located down the road from its original location. While the tour is in the house, very little of it is about the location.

Taking about an hour, the tours are filled with facts about the cleaners, the story of the company, and the impact in had on the area, England, and the world. Guides take visitors through out the house showing off each room. Every one is dedicated to a different era. As the guide talks about the advancement of the vacuum technology, visitors can see the products and artifacts they are talking about. It can be very interesting to see how the early models changed until the 1930’s when the classic design was introduced. From that time on the models improved but the over all design stayed the same. Unless it was some of the more unique varieties the company offered. At times there are even demonstrations on the tour of some of the more interesting products.

The center is open afternoons, Thursday Fridays, and Saturdays, March trough October. At less than an hour and for the cost of donations, The Hoover Historical Center is well worth a stop when in the area.

The Buckeye Trail

https://www.buckeyetrail.org

One might not think of walking from Cleveland to Key West, Florida. The journey would pass through 5 states and take weeks to hike. But what if there was a way to hike that far all with in our great state? At 1444 miles long the Buckeye Trail is the longest distance trail all in one state.

In the 1950’s TV , movie, and other forms of entertainment were drawing people away from traditional outdoor activities. In the late 50’s an article was written by Merrill Gilfillan suggesting that a trail be made linking the northern Lake Erie area to the river town of Cincinnati. This trail would give people a way to see the natural beauty of the Buckeye state. By the next year a group of people met in Columbus to discuss the idea. In June of 1959 they formed the Buckeye Trail Association to over see the project. By September they were ready. On September 19th the dedicated the first 20 miles in Hocking County, the home of Hocking Hills. By 1980 that first 20 miles had grown into the 1444 it is today and had encircled the entire state.

from https://www.buckeyetrail.org/overview.php

Ohio has many amazing state parks, county parks, and city parks. A lot of them have very well maintained trails. In building the Buckeye Trail the Association used them, routing the route along the already established paths. The trail is know to make use of the famous, and well loved, Old Man’s Cave Trail in Hocking Hills State Park, or the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath in Cuyahoga National Park. The use of these smaller trails means that while hiking on a loved trail, one might be hiking the Buckeye trail without knowing it. This also gives attention to the lesser known, but still great, hikes around the state. Most of these smaller trails, however, are not connected and some portions of the trail follows paved roads to connect to the next off road section. In Dayton a 40 mile portion of the trail is on paved roads. At one time almost half of the trail was on roads, but the Association has been working to make more and more of it a natural off road trail.

At such a long distance it would be too hard to treat the trail as one part. The Trails Association has broken it into smaller sections. Each section has a page dedicated to it on the BTA’s website. A small blurb about the section, a guide to services provided, and updates to the map are included. The website also has information in each section on the Trail towns. Along the way hikers can stop in the small towns, and some cities, that have been designated. In theses towns visitors can pick up information about the trail, get something to eat, or a place to stay. A large number of the parks have overnight outdoor camping sites for anyone who wants to stay as close to nature as possible. Each sites is maintained by local park system and information on sites and reservations can be found on their respective websites.

The trail is still overseen by the Buckeye Trail Association, but maintained by its volunteers. The volunteers, which anyone can be (https://www.buckeyetrail.org/involved.php), do a fine job of maintain the trails along side the workers of the parks the trail visits. With the trail going through difference portions of the state it can, and will, have varying levels of maintenance on it. Some portions will be less maintained than others. The weather will also vary greatly along the trail.Be sure to check the trail updates before heading out.

Even if it is just a small local portion of the trail, everyone should try to get out and hike the Buckeye Trail this spring.

Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens

331 Karl Ave, Dover, OH 44622

https://thewarthermuseum.com