Historic Zoar Village offers audio tours
Historic Zoar Village recently partnered with Kent State’s spring business consulting practicum undergrad students and WJER’s morning show co-host Ryan Pastircak to create audio tours now available on Spotify, a free digital music, podcast and video streaming service.
“Understanding history is critical, and in these modern times, it is important that we don’t forget to preserve history as we progress,” said Dr. Geri Puleo, a professor involved with the practicum and project. “Zoar provided a creative and engaging project for these students that will be a great addition to their resume.”
The students conducted research, wrote the audio scripts and worked with Pastircak, a local Tuscarawas County broadcaster, to record the tours and publish them on Spotify.
Listeners can learn facts about the village’s history and buildings. For instance Zoar’s Town Hall has served as a barbershop, post office and fire department. And when the Separatists arrived in Tuscarawas County, an acre of land cost about $3.
“It was exciting to work with a local organization that the students could visit and interact with while also understanding the importance of history and its preservation,” Puleo said.
The audio tours were created to give guests an alternative to guided tours by costumed interpreters and self-guided tours without audio. It is recommended visitors listen to individual episodes as they tour specific locations within the village. Episodes include an introduction to Zoar and details about the schoolhouse, Zoar Garden, tin shop and bakery.
“We are so excited to have this new option available for our busy summer season,” said Tammi Shrum, site director. “By integrating technology into our tours, we hope to reach new audiences with engaging details about what life was like in the 19th century and the impact Zoar had on Ohio history.”
Visitors can purchase the audio tour at the Zoar Store for $10 per person. The tour includes over a dozen stops. Have the Spotify app predownloaded on a smart device before visiting.
Visit www.historiczoarvillage.com or call 330-874-3011.
