|
Field
Trips > NW Region >
Piqua Historical Area
To schedule your class visit please call 800-752-2619
Tours are offered September, October, April, and May, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Admission: Student and adult chaperones $3.00, Teachers and drivers FREE.
The Piqua Historical Area covers 2,000 years of Ohio history - from prehistoric Indians to Ohio's
canal ere. John Johnston's farm is the focal point of the property. A farmer, public official, and
U.S. Indian Agent for western Ohio from 1812 to 1829, Johnston was a major contributor to the growth
of early Ohio.
The 250-acre park includes Johnston's two-story, brick farmhouse in Dutch Colonial/Georgian-style
along with a spring house and cider house. The massive, double-penned log barn is thought to be the
oldest and largest barn of its type in Ohio.
The museum, constructed to resemble the blockhouse style of Fort Piqua, General Anthony Wayne's 18th
century supply post, traces the story of the Eastern Woodland Indians of Ohio and the newly acquired
Fort Pickawillany site, located adjacent to the Piqua Historical Area. Artifacts from Ohio's canal era
are also on exhibit.
On the grounds is a ring-shaped mound earthwork. Discovered and preserved by Johnston, the earthwork
was constructed by the Adena culture more than 2,000 years ago.
Behind the museum is a restored, mile-long section of the Miami-Erie Canal, which once extended from
Toledo to Cincinnati. As a state canal commissioner, Johnston, helped to improve Ohio's canal system.
Today, the mule-drawn, 70-foot mixed cargo, canal boat, the General Harrison, can be ridden as
costumed guides relate the history of the canals.
Facilities Information
Chaperones: Chaperones: one adults per 10 students
If you are canceling your visit, please refer to your tour confirmation for instructions.
The museum is wheel chair accessible. The Johnston Farmhouse and associated outbuildings are not
accessible. Modern restrooms are available in museum only, and do not completely meet the most recent
ADA requirements. The path to canal boat dock is gravel covered and a bit steep. A service vehicle is
available to assist visitors who wish to ride the canal boat. Visitors must have some ambulatory
abilities to take advantage of this service. One wheel chair is available free of charge in the site
museum by request.
As students will be outdoors during part of their experience, we suggest they dress appropriately for
the weather.
There is no indoor eating facility on site. Picnic tables are available outside on a first come, first
serve basis.
Museum Shop on site
There is a Museum Shop on site in the museum. Extra time should be planned for shopping.
Teachers
receive a 10% discount on all educational purchases.
Hours of Operation
April, May, September, October Monday - Friday 9:00-2:00 by appointment for school visits.
June, July, and August Thursday & Friday 10:00-5:00, Saturday & Sunday Noon-5:00
Closed Memorial Day and Fourth of July
Labor Day Weekend Piqua Heritage Festival - site is open
Admission
$3.00 per student; $3.00 per chaperon; teachers & bus drivers are free
Location
The Piqua Historical Area is on North Hardin Road just off of State Route 66, 3 1/2 miles northwest
of
Piqua in Miami County.
Directional Map [Yahoo] - Will load in a new window
Bus Driver's Instructions
Buses will drop off and park in the parking lot.
If you will be delayed in arriving at your appointed time, please call 937-773-2522 or 800-752-2619.
Bus drivers are admitted free to the Piqua Historical Area.
Guided Tours
The following tours/programs have condensed files that include links,
content standards and other resources.
Requires  Adobe Acrobat ® Reader, and will load in new browser windows.
Guided Tour: Farm, Museum, and Canal Boat (September, October, April, and May) (173 k)
Students will learn about the Woodland Indian cultures of the area, family life in
early Ohio focusing on the and the role of John Johnston as a settler and Indian
agent, and the impact of the canal era in Ohio. Included is a ride on the General
Harrison canal boat if time and class size permit. Groups of 60 or more students
will be divided.
Tour: Teacher Guide (3,154 k)
This Teacher Guide with activities takes the students back to the 1800s when Indian Agent John Johnston
resided on his farm near Piqua. Later the Miami and Erie Canal was constructed with a section running
by that farm. This lesson should be used in conjunction with a visit to the Johnston Farm and the
Miami & Erie Canal.
FIELD TRIPS > NORTHWEST REGION SITES:
|
and 
