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Zoar Village

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Led by Joseph Bimeler, the Zoarites, came to America in 1817 seeking freedom from religious persecution. Bimeler and his followers ad separated from the Lutheran church in Germany. Through the Northwest Ordinance, Ohio ensured the religious freed sought by these Zoarites.

After two harsh winters in Ohio, the Zoarites formed a society where all property and work were equally shared. This experiment in communal living lasted until 1898 when the Society of Separatists of Zoar disbanded and divided its assets among the remaining members.

Subject areas that can be illustrated through Zoar Village include: Ohio and American history; religious settlements; communal societies; 19th-century home and community life; transportation; architecture; and German-American heritage. Ten historic buildings are open for touring; not all buildings are included on every tour.