By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Historical figures from Canal Winchester’s past will roam sites across the city on Oct. 14 and 15 as the Canal Winchester Area Historical Society and the Lions Club prepare to co-host the annual Historic Ghost Tour for the first time.
In 2015, after 10 years, historical society organizers planned to put a successful end to the series of “drama bringing history to life.” However, after historical society representatives talked with the Lions Club, both organizations felt there were more stories to tell and will continue the non-scary tales of people from the past.
“This past February, the Lions Club asked me to speak at one of their meetings,” said Canal Winchester Area Historical Society President Mike Ippoliti, “and I told them about our plans to end the Ghost Tour. After the meeting, members of the club said they wanted to keep the tour going and asked if we would continue it if they got involved as co-sponsors.”
Period-costumed volunteer actors portraying notables from Canal Winchester’s colorful history will relate little known incidents and sometimes surprising activities that took place in locations throughout the streets of old Canal Winchester.
The six stops and characters on this years’ tour include: the Bob McDorman Museum, Bob McDorman; Rex’s Barbershop, Ed Jeffers; Game’s Opera House, Virginia Patterson; Boy’s School, Levi Moore; Cherry Hotel, Noah Cherry; and O.P. Chaney Mill with O.P. Chaney.
Family friendly walking tour groups depart at 7 p.m. from the Frances Steube Community Center, 22 S. Trine St. and last approximately 90 minutes, rain or shine. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students ages 6-18 and free for children age 5 and under. They are available Oct. 14 and 15 prior to the start of the tour or online via PayPal at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/canalwinchesteroh or visit www.canalwinchesterlions.org. Please leave pets at home.
Tickets can also be purchased by mail from the Canal Winchester Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 15, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 and picked up either evening.
Tour proceeds help support the Canal Winchester Area Historical Society’s core programs and preservation projects.
For information, visit cwhistory.org or www.canalwinchesterlions.org .
