A Walk in the Past in Schoenbrunn Village

A Walk in the Past in Schoenbrunn Village

Nestled into the rural landscape near New Philadelphia, Ohio exists the remnants of a lovely village that was a successful adventure in early American acceptance and inclusion. This reconstructed village offers a glimpse into the past when Ohio was considered frontier and was largely populated by Indigenous People–the Delaware. Schoenbrunn Village is the site of Ohio’s first Christian settlement, first church, first schoolhouse and first code of laws. “The village, restored to appear as it did more than two centuries ago, includes the original cemetery and 16 reconstructed log structures, as well as the church and gardens.”

In the spring of 1772, a group of German-descended Moravian missionaries led by David Zeisberger left their settlement in Pennsylvania. They had been invited by the three Delaware clans–the wolf, the turkey and the turtle–to join them to establish a new home in the beautiful country near the Tuscarawas River. The missionaries named their village “Schoenbrunn,” meaning in German, “beautiful spring.” 

Along with building homes, the group planted crops on the fertile land. They also built additional sturdy, log buildings for community use. There were three streets and approximately 60 buildings. Simple round log cabins were built for visitors, but once a person converted to the Moravian faith, he would be given a small portion of land on which to build a more permanent home and plant his own garden.

“The smallest homes were one-room cabins made out of round logs, with dirt   floors and a hole in the ceiling where smoke from a central fire could escape. Larger, nicer homes made out of hewn logs could have multiple rooms and fireplaces. Zeisberger’s home even had stairs to a second floor and a study in the back, where he could write his sermons before walking over to the church.”

A large schoolhouse was erected where the Moravians provided an education for both males and females, a progressive idea for the time period. 

“The Moravians and Delaware converts lived peacefully together according to a set of laws, which forbade alcohol and dancing, and mandated that villagers observe the Lord’s Day.” They continued until the coming of the Revolutionary War. “Seeking to avoid violence, the villagers remained neutral in the conflict, causing both the British and American colonists to distrust them. Rumors swirled that Zeisberger may even have been a spy for the Patriots, though that’s never been proven. Sadly, the villagers at Schoenbrunn felt caught in the middle and decided to abandon the Village, mostly to Canada, dismantling their homes and church on the way out” (https://historicsites.ohiohistory.org/schoenbrunn/).

Today, visitors may stroll down the grassy streets, enter the cabins (some of which contain period furnishings), wander through the school, church, and cemetery. The people are gone, but the peaceful atmosphere remains. One can walk the grounds and feel the history of the people groups who came together under the watchful eye of  a heavenly Father.

Schoenbrunn Village is worth a stop for all ages. The site is beautiful and interactive, and there is a lovely picnic area to share a meal. 

God bless you, and lead you to peaceful places.