Imagine a living history community that offers glimpses into the past through costumed performers, artisan protesters, and vintage shops and restaurants that give a glimpse of life in the 19th century. Living history, blooming gardens, shopping, dining, lodging – Historic Roscoe Village offers something for everyone. A restored 1830s canal town, Roscoe is located along what was once the Ohio-Erie Canal. In an effort to further its mission of bringing about the Ohio Canal Era, each year Roscoe hosts several festivals, special events and holiday activities that educate and provide fun entertainment for visitors. Located in the heart of Coshocton County, Ohio, Roscoe Village is just 90 minutes east of Columbus and 2 hours south of Cleveland, along State Route 16 and near the junction of US Route 36.

Historical tours of the Village take visitors back in time, to the slower pace of life in a canal-side town of the 1830s. As they stroll through the restored living history buildings, visitors can see real craftsmen at work, including a blacksmith, a weaver, a printer, a cooper, and a broom maker; watch cooking demonstrations from days gone by; sit in on a re-enactment of a school lesson from the 1800s; see a full-scale replica canal boat; visit the immaculately manicured gardens displaying a variety of colors; or participate in hands-on learning demonstrations like dipping candles, drilling tin, or weaving.

At the Roscoe Village Visitor Center, find unique handmade items made by Roscoe Village artisans for sale, including chandeliers, quilts, wooden toys, rolling pins and other wooden items, and brooms. Schedule a special candlelight tour with the group’s sales staff or enjoy seasonal tours like “Spirit of Roscoe” (available September and October) or “A Roscoe Christmas” (available November and December). Group rates are also available for all tours.

The Inn at Roscoe Village, a place for fine dining and quaint hotel accommodations, features 51 guest rooms and an elegant lounge, with Shaker-style furnishings, reasonable rates and quality service in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Fully handicapped accessible, the Inn has been updated with new furnishings and wireless Internet service, providing an attractive stay for both the business and leisure traveler. In addition, the Inn features a variety of banquet, meeting, and private dining rooms for every occasion.

Visitors can browse vintage shops housed in original 19th-century buildings and filled with local crafts, elegant home furnishings, books, baskets, gourmet coffees and foods, and much more. In addition to housing its own commercial establishments, Roscoe is also home to several independently owned and operated businesses. Exquisite jewelry, pottery (including a paint-your-own pottery studio), leather goods, musical instruments, antiques, and handmade baskets are some of the original items available at these stores. Roscoe Village stores will open early or stay late to accommodate groups.

While in Roscoe Village, guests can satisfy their most individual appetites at one of two restaurants. Choose the elegant dining of King Charley’s Dining Room and Tavern or the rustic atmosphere of the Old Warehouse restaurant. For a snack while you take in the views, grab some treats or a made-to-order cappuccino or hot chocolate at the Cheesery, Roscoe’s gourmet coffee and tea shop.

Also located in Roscoe Village is the Johnson Humrickhouse Museum, an accredited member of the American Association of Museums, featuring a Native American Collection, an Americana Collection, an Oriental Gallery, the Eclectic Collection, and special rotating exhibits. Additionally, guests can board the horse-drawn Monticello III for a leisurely 40-minute ride along a restored section of the Ohio-Erie Canal. The knowledgeable canal boat captain will entertain his group with ancient stories and interesting facts about the canal. Group cards are available.

Guests looking for a more active day can travel the Towpath, a one-mile walking and biking trail that stretches from Roscoe Village to Coshocton Lake Park. Lake Park has a water park; camping facilities; a variety of nature trails ranging from ½ mile to two miles in length; and rowboat rides. Also in Coshocton County, nearby wineries and the Pomerene Center for the Arts are unique attractions. Roscoe Village is located 30 minutes from the world’s largest Amish population in Holmes County, Ohio, and 20 minutes from the town of Dresden, the basket capital and home of the Longaberger Homestead. The Wilds, a wildlife preserve, is down the street, as is Salt Fork State Park. For more information, call Historic Roscoe Village at (800) 877-1830. www.roscoevillage.com.