Timeline exhibit traces Tuscarawas Valley history from 1750 to 1783

George Laurence of New Philadelphia likes history and collects flags, which means there are some projects that are just meant to be. Laurence recently finished a timeline of Tuscarawas County history from 1750 to 1783 showing the area’s significance to the beginning of the nation. The timeline was created to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

"I've always loved timelines. I've done many in the past decades, but this one, though, because it's so close to home, literally and figuratively, and I have a passion for the time period, it just worked," Laurence said.

The timeline is on display in the lobby of the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau in New Philadelphia.

The backdrop of the timeline is on three flags – the French Bourbon flag representing French control before the French and Indian War, the Union Jack flag representing British control after the French and Indian War, and the Betsy Ross flag representing American independence after the Revolution.

The project consists of three panels that are each four feet wide and seven feet tall. The total display is 12 feet wide.

The Ohio Arts Commission funded the project through a grant.

Laurence didn’t want to build a boring, flat timeline. The panels have different levels to their displays.

“I've always liked dimensionality. We wanted to incorporate several elements, like the time ribbon, this blue ribbon, which a lot of people equate with the Tuscarawas River. It makes a lot of sense actually. That was never my intent, but I love the color work against the contrast of the flags,” Laurence said.

The project was in planning for about two years and in construction for about nine months.

“The entire thing is really a story of the Tuscarawas Valley and what our influence was before and during the Revolution,” Laurence said.

He would like to add to the project in the future.

Assisting with historical research, writing, support and vision for the project was Seth Angel, Doug Angeloni, Tanner Immel, Kim Jurkovic, Andy McMillan and Thomas Pieper. Organizations providing assistance were Fort Laurens, Newcomerstown Historical Society, Schoenbrunn Village, and the Tuscarawas County Historical Society.

Contractors helping with the project include Celuch Imaging, Communication Exhibits, D.J. Welding, First Stop Signs, Pro-Art Graphics and USP Sandblasting. Laurence created the exhibit at his business Museum Acrylics Company in New Philadelphia.

The information on the panel display includes:

- A timeline of key events in the Tuscarawas Valley and the nation.

- The images of the flags show the changing control of the area.

- Maps and related historical information.

- Photos and highlights from archaeological digs, including artifacts like musket balls, coins, trade beads, and hardware.

-Paintings of the important people at the time including who they were, when they lived and died, and what they did.

- Text is printed on transparent bronze acrylic, so as not to block background images.

Dee Grossman, director of the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is pleased with the result and how it documents the history of the region.

School groups are encouraged to visit.

“We wanted this to appeal to kids. We think our kids don't know enough about our history,” Grossman said. “This allows them to touch the furs, touch the corn, the beans and the squash. There's a QR code that they can scan to get a 45 second rendering of the Gnadenhutten massacre, the last night on earth for the Native Americans.”

Tom Reed, who performs in Trumpet in the Land, recorded the message. The display is very interactive and very changeable for future additions.

The public is invited to see the display during regular office hours at the CVB Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If another time is needed, arrangements may be made to accommodate them.