Roscoe Village unveils interactive history program

The Roscoe Village Foundation has launched Builders, Traders & Trailblazers, a new interactive educational program that brings Ohio’s canal-era history to life for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The program recently welcomed its first school group — 112 fourth grade students from Galion Primary School, who traveled more than 2 1/2 hours to participate.

“This is way cooler than I thought. I love the cards,” one student said.

Another student, reacting to the canal construction model in the history room that shows how the locks were dug by hand, said, “Oh my gosh, this diorama is so awesome.”

“We designed this program so students don’t just learn history; they experience how a community worked,” said Sharon Bucey, executive-in-residence at the Roscoe Village Foundation. “It’s part of our broader Elevate the Legacy Initiative, which is about making history relevant, engaging and meaningful for the next generation.”

Builders, Traders & Trailblazers guides students through Historic Roscoe Village using a series of clue-based stops across nine historic buildings including the blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, doctor’s office and canal system. At each location students connect real 19th-century roles to modern life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and leadership.

Designed to be hands-on and student-led, participants follow character-driven clues, engage with interpreters, and collect Trailblazer Cards that reinforce both historical understanding and personal development.

The program is aligned with Ohio’s academic standards and incorporates social-emotional learning, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. It also supports the broader effort to bring American history to life for a new generation as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

The program is now open for booking and is expected to serve 4,000-5,000 students annually from schools, homeschool groups and youth organizations across the region.

Historic Roscoe Village, a restored 19th-century canal town in Coshocton, offers a unique setting where students experience how commerce, community and daily life were shaped by the Ohio & Erie Canal.