Step Back in Time: Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Announces June Walking Tour
May 13, 2024
By Rachel Scofield
The Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society is inviting residents and history enthusiasts to step back in time during a special walking tour of Olde Pickerington Village. Scheduled for June 2, this event promises to offer a unique glimpse into the rich history of the area.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore 17 historical stops around the center of Olde Pickerington Village, each with its own story to tell. Including Mason’s Meat Market (21 W. Columbus St.) which became a post office and was the site of the first Historical Society Museum, the Valley House (NW corner of Center & Columbus) which is the reason Violet Township established a fire department and Moore’s Pool Hall (18 E. Columbus St.) where card games would last more than 24 hours.
The tour will begin at the Historical Society Museum, located at 15 E. Columbus Street, a building steeped in history itself. Originally built as a Carnegie Library in 1916, it served as the local library until 1993 and now houses a museum that tells the story of Pickerington and Violet Township.
The length of the tour is approximately 45-50 minutes and will involve two blocks of leisurely strolling.
Local history experts will serve as the tour guides including Historical Society president Peggy Portier and several board members who have lived in Pickerington their entire lives. Each guide will have a microphone to be heard over passing cars.
Violet Township resident Jeannie Mauger, who attended last year’s inaugural tour, also plans on attending this year’s event which will feature several new stops.
“It’s always fun to learn something about my ‘adopted’ (nearly 50 years) hometown,” Mauger said. “Last year, I learned a lot about one business that had a significant impact on Pickerington – the Creamery. It was a big presence in yesteryear Pickerington and a major employer in the area for decades.”
Tickets for the walking tour are available for $5.00 at the Humble Crate Artisan Marketplace (18 West Columbus Street) or can be ordered through Pickerington Online for $5.50. A limited number will be available for purchase at the museum the day of the event. Children ages 12 and younger, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can join the tour for free.
The tours leave every 20 minutes beginning at 2 pm. You must purchase tickets for a specific time. The last group will leave at 3:40 pm.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in historic ‘downtown’ Pickerington to mark June 2 on their calendar,” Mauger said. “it’s a good way to learn more about the area and to support the area Historical Society and it’s hard-working members.”
The Historical Society’s mission is to preserve the community’s past for future generations to see and use. Their efforts have maintained a museum in the community’s Carnegie Library since 1993, showcasing artifacts that include prehistoric Native American tools, an original town pump, and photos of high school graduating classes from 1909-1981.
This walking tour is more than just a stroll through the village; it’s an educational experience that brings the history of Pickerington and Violet Township to life. Don’t miss this chance to connect with the past in a way that’s both informative and enjoyable.
