Patriot Youth Rally returns to New Towne Mall
Most of the exhibits and displays are interactive. Norma Johnson Center will bring mounted native Ohio animals.
With so many historic sites in or near Tuscarawas County, a chance to see most of them represented in one place has made the annual History Patriot Youth Rally at New Towne Mall a well-attended winter event.
The rally for 2020 is set for Saturday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, the 10th year for the Patriot Rally, carries the theme, “History, Gateway to Adventure.”
The idea for the rally came about as a way to bring local historic sites and museums together in one indoor location for families to explore and learn about local history during the winter months.
“It’s the place to be because you can see so many places and learn about them in one location,” said Marsha Freeland, director of the Norma Johnson Center, which is hosting the event for this year. “And it’s perfect for families. There will be historic sites, libraries and museums, and we all get to meet people and talk about what we do and offer through the year. It’s great for both sides. You can do and see a lot in a short amount of time.”
Freeland said most of the exhibits and displays are interactive. “Norma Johnson Center will bring mounted native Ohio animals, and we’ll have a Connect Four trivia game, puzzles and other games available,” she said.
Taylur Cunningham, marketing coordinator for Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Dennison, said among the early confirmations for the rally are Historic Zoar Village and Fort Laurens, Minding Midvale History, Age of Steam Roundhouse of Sugarcreek, Schoenbrunn Village, the Norma Johnson Center, the Museum of Clay Industry and Folk Art in Uhrichsville, and the Tuscarawas County Historical Society.
“The first 300 children who attend the Patriot Rally will get a free backpack filled with goodies,” Cunningham said, “and we are also giving away bags with great things for the first 50 teachers who attend.”
Cunningham also stressed the interactive nature of the History Patriot Youth Rally. “There are scavenger hunts for children to piece together clues until they’re entered into some great prize drawings,” she said.
A mascot race and the chance to meet Private Bulldog Bing, WWI hero, also are featured that day. “It’s always a lot of fun for kids, and it’s meant to be that way,” Cunningham said. “History is never boring at the Patriot Rally.”
Tammi Mackey Shrum, director of Historic Zoar Village and Fort Laurens in Bolivar, said the two sites have been a key part of the Patriot Rally since the beginning. “We’ve participated every year,” she said. “There are so many of the local sites there in one place that it’s really a valuable thing for families to do. Kids can get a real sense of county history and have a lot of fun doing it. It’s one of the ways we can pass on local history and our story to the next generation.”
Zoar and Fort Laurens will bring a yoke and buckets, which children can try their hand at carrying on their shoulders, old-time style. They also can participate in miniature archaeological digs and other scavenger-hunt activities.
“It’s a tremendously worthwhile thing to do,” Shrum said. “Most of the local history museums and sites are always there and offer a variety of activities. There’s a lot to learn about and see and take in, and it gives you an idea of the many places you can visit throughout the year to learn and see more.”
New Towne Mall is located at 400 Mill Ave. SE in New Philadelphia.
The event is free.