Historical society restores county’s first historic markers

Much of the work of the Tuscarawas County Historical Society goes unnoticed as they operate to preserve history at the Tusc/Kent Archives at Kent State University at Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia. One recent project is going to be very visible, and it took much more work than anticipated to complete.

The first two historical markers in the county were installed in the early 1990s, one marking the location of New Schoenbrunn in 1992 and the other marking the location of the Salem mission in 1993. The markers’ locations were along busy highways leaving them vulnerable to the weather and salt and roadway grime. The Salem marker was even hit by a vehicle, destroying the base that attached it to a pole. The base was rebuilt with different material.

The project was a learning experience — one that may help others responsible for the upkeep of historic markers. The organization that places a marker is responsible for its upkeep, and the company that makes the markers does not do restoration work.

Seth Angel, a trustee with the Tuscarawas County Historical Society, took on coordination of the project. After taking the markers off their posts, the aim was to restore the markers to their original state.

"We actually took color charts and went out to the old markers. We tried to match the colors as closely as possible," Angel said.

Steve Mitchell of Uhrichsville Sandblasting contributed. The business sandblasted and cleaned the castings. They also painted the background color, donating both labor and materials.

The base coat was an industrial automotive paint which was chosen to stand up to roadside abuse and chemicals.

Angel and Mitchell had hoped Uhrichsville Sandblasting would be able to do the detailed painting on the signs, but it ultimately needed to be done by hand.

"He did a very good job of prepping them, getting the background, and then actually, George Laurence (of Museum Acrylics) talked me through how to do the lettering,” Angel said. "It's about six hours on the small lettering and probably another four hours on the larger lettering on each side. So, I've got somewhere around 50 hours in them right now between the two sides."

Laurence provided space at Museum Acrylics to do the restoration.

The paint used on the lettering is four parts industrial automotive paint mixed with one part of a hardener. Once mixed you only have a few hours of working time, so Angel only mixed small batches.

"As you progress through it, the paint keeps getting more and more viscous, so that you have to kind of modify your technique as you go,” Angel said. "I've had a few times when I've had little runs and things like that. If you end up a run, you can go along with a Q-tip, and it'll draw it right up. As long as you don't let it set up first.”

It is hoped that the restoration work will last at least another 30 years.

Angel made good use of his time as he listened to the entire series of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” program via the PBS app while he was painting the markers.

Angel is pleased that both the signs commemorate events that happened in Tuscarawas County more than 250 years ago. He enjoys doing interpretive history program for school and other groups.

“I'll dress up and talk about things like the fur trade and commerce along the frontier,” Angel said.

The first marker restored honors the New Schoenbrunn Mission, which was established April 10, 1779, on the Southside of New Philadelphia at 1103 Commercial Avenue (state Route 416) and Rev. David Zeisberger.

Zeisberger was born in Zachtenthal, Moravia (now Czechoslovakia). He came to America in 1738 to join his parents who were missionaries to the Cherokee Indians at Savannah, Georgia. In 1741 the family moved to Pennsylvania and helped found Bethlehem, which became the headquarters of the Moravian Church in America. He served in missionary work with Native Americans for 63 years.

The second marker restored is at 12015 state Route 36 south of Port Washington near the intersection of Salem Park Road. It honors The Salem Mission, which was founded April 6, 1780, led by John Heckwelder.

Heckwelder was born in Bedford, England, March 12, 1743. He immigrated to America with his parents at the age of 11. In 1762, at the age of 19, he accompanied Christian Frederick Post to the Tuscarawas Valley in an aborted attempt to found a mission among the Delaware. Their efforts were interrupted by an uprising and Heckwelder barely escaped death from those opposed to the project. He later became a missionary.

The find more information about historical markers around Ohio visit www.remarkableohio.com.