Reconstructing America: 1880 - 1900

July 5 - 9, 2021

Camp activities geared to students entering 3rd – 6th grades, but open to students age 18 and younger.

Pre-registration required.

Overview of how the virtual camp will work for campers and parents


This year’s virtual History Camp will feature educational classes, fun activities, and engaging presenters, allowing all of our campers to enjoy what they love about camp from home! Camp is geared toward students entering 3rd – 6th grades, but is open for students age 18 and younger.

Each day will feature multiple classes and activities covering various topics related to the era of 1880 – 1900 including Marietta’s 1888 centennial celebrations, the Spanish American War, cultural shifts, and lessons from Senator Theodore Davis, owner of The Castle 1888 – 1917. You can choose to register for individual activities or the entire week.


Planned interaction between campers and teacher/presenters

Classes and activities for camp will have interactive elements and some will be hands-on. We have especially engaging presenters this year who are excited to provide engaging, interactive content to keep the campers attentive and involved. For hands-on activities, detailed below, we have provided cohesive instructions and lists of supplies you can pick up from the museum or have shipped to you if registering by the deadlines detailed in the "Supply Kits" section below. Instructions are provided for supplies that can likely be found around the house.


Supply Kits

Please note: We have extended our deadline to receive supply kits...

Supply kits for our hands-on activities will be available according the following deadlines:
- To have your kit shipped to you, register by Fri., June 25.
- To pick-up your kit from The Castle's Carriage House, register by Fri., July 2.

Kits will be available for pick-up and shipping as early as Thurs., July 24.

Those signing up campers will be contacted to discern if they would like kits mailed to them or made available for pick-up from The Castle Carriage House Visitor Center.

Supplies have been generously funded thanks to the Marietta Welfare League.


Payment, Registration, & Using Zoom

Each activity will take place using Zoom. You can choose to register for individual sessions which pique your camper's interest, or register for the full camp at a discounted rate. Individual sessions are priced at $5/activity or $75 for all 20 activities throughout the week.

Registering for the Week?

To begin, click on the “Full Camp - $75” button below. After completing the payment process, you should automatically receive via email information for connecting to all twenty classes. Remember to save this information.

Registering for Individual Classes?

By clicking “Register,” you’ll be taken through the payment process. After payment, you’ll be able to register for classes through Zoom. Next, you’ll receive an email with instructions to log-in, after it has been manually approved by our Zoom administrators. You should receive this log-in information in less than 12 hours. Remember to save this information.

We suggest registering at least 30 minutes in advance of each class. We would suggest campers have the assistance of an adult to log-in.

For assistance with the registration process or using Zoom please reach out to us at [email protected] or call 740-373-4180.


Receiving Information & Updates – Important!

To receive emails regarding pertinent camp information we suggest adding to your contacts [email protected] and Education Director Kyle Yoho’s email [email protected] to ensure information is being received to your inbox rather than your spam/junk mail folders.


Financial Aid Scholarships

A limited number of full scholarships are available to students entering 3rd – 6th grades within the Marietta City Schools system who are unable to pay for the full camp tuition. Approved scholarship applications will be expected to attend and participate in the camp. To apply for financial assistance, please fill out this form:

Financial Assistance Form

Scholarships are generously administered by the Dorothy A. Oyster Fund through the Marietta Community Foundation.


Interested in registering the full camp? Full camp registrations are discounted for just $75 per camper!

Full Camp - $75


Monday, July 5 “Senator Davis Day"

On our first day of camp we’ll engage in a few Civics related exercises commemorating The Castle owner Theodore Davis who served in the 68th general assembly of the Ohio Senate for the 14th district and was President Pro Tem for that body.

9:30am – 10:30am (EST)

Debate: The Art of a Fact-Based Discourse

In teaching the art of debate, Andrew Mizsak will show campers that being prepared with facts, while also being respectful, oftentimes allows good points to be made and individuals to agree with you. In discussing debate, and the use of the formal language that goes with it, campers will learn how words have meaning and impact… thereby illustrating a point even better. Using proper debate techniques, campers will also begin to understand the ability that one can disagree with another, and it does not have to be a negative experience. The overarching goal of the debate topic is for campers to begin to develop critical thinking skills, where they can take pieces of both (or many) sides, and begin to create their own conclusions based upon the facts presented.

Provider: Andrew Mizsak – Government Affairs Consulting Firm of Mizsak, Feinberg, Phillips, Bruckman, and Wade.

 

Andrew Mizsak is the Principal of the Government Affairs Consulting Firm of Mizsak, Feinberg, Phillips, Bruckman, and Wade. In his many roles, political campaign management, debate preparation, research, and messaging are four of the services he provides to clients. Mizsak has served as a senior staffer on numerous campaigns, including county-wide, state legislature, and congressional, and has been a part of several presidential campaigns. He is also an experienced legislative advocate at the state and federal levels. In addition to his professional work, Mizsak is an avid historian with his area of interest being the politics of the mid-19th Century.



The Government Affairs, Community Planning, and Political Consulting Firm of Mizsak, Feinberg, Phillips, Bruckman, and Wade LLP

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11:30am – 12:30pm (EST)

Running for Office

What does it take to become an elected official? In this engaging presentation campers will have a chance to understand the process behind becoming a candidate for public office from a pioneer in local and state politics which led to her to become Ohio’s first woman to serve as governor. You never know, these skills might come in useful for you one day!

Provider: Nancy Hollister

Nancy Putnam Hollister was Ohio's first female governor. She served on the Marietta City Council from 1980 until 1984, and she then became mayor of Marietta, holding this office until 1991. In 1991, Governor George Voinovich appointed Hollister as the director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia. In 1994, Hollister won election as Ohio's lieutenant governor. Upon Governor Voinovich's resignation to become one of Ohio's two United States Senators, Hollister became Ohio's first female governor. Her term was a short one, however, lasting only eleven days from late December 1998 to early January 1999. Upon leaving office, Hollister won election to the Ohio House of Representatives. She remained in this office until 2005. Since then, Hollister remains active in many community-service initiatives.

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1:30pm – 2:30pm (EST)

How a Bill Becomes Law

In this session, join a former legislator to engage in the many facets of the legislative process. Participants will determine the need for a new law in Ohio, examine the motives of those who seek changes as well as those groups who might oppose such changes. All will better understand the complexities of making laws and the process behind it.

Provider: Dr. John R. Patterson, Jr.

 

John is a former state legislator from a rural district, reelected the maximum three times. He has passed 15 pieces of bipartisan legislation, including overhauling the state education funding system, cleaning up Ohio waterways, expanding healthcare for rural residents, and strengthening the future of agriculture in the state. John was previously a public high school history teacher, Model U.N. advisor, and athletic coach who, for three decades, inspired rural students in a small school district nestled in northeastern Ohio. He was also a twenty-year chief negotiator for local teachers’ unions.

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3:30pm – 4:30pm (EST)

State Government: What is it?

Local governments are led by mayors and they do things like pick up the trash and provide police protection. The federal government is led by the president and it provides for our military, national parks, and many other things like highways and help ensure our air and water stay clean. In the middle is our state government, which is led by a governor and it plays important roles that affect us every day. Join Governor DeWine’s Director of the Office of Budget and Management Kimberly Murnieks as she leads our campers in discussing what a state government does and why it’s important.

Provider: Director Kimberly Murnieks – State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management

 

Kimberly Murnieks was appointed Director of the Office of Budget and Management by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019. Her office develops, coordinates and monitors the individual budgets of state agencies, provides the Governor and administration with policy analysis, and reviews all financial transactions made with public funds. From January 2011 – 2018, Director Murnieks was Chief Operating Officer for the Ohio Attorney General's office. Prior to joining the Attorney General's leadership team, Director Murnieks served in senior staff roles at the Ohio Department of Education from 2000 to 2010, including Executive Director.

Her career in public service began as a Budget Analyst with the Office of Budget and Management in 1996. Director Murnieks is a graduate of Marietta College with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and The Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs with a Master of Public Administration. She is an American Mensa member and volunteers with Girl Scouts of the USA as a troop leader. Director Murnieks is originally from Washington County, Ohio and currently resides in central Ohio with her husband and three children.

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Tuesday, July 6 “Changing Times”

​Join us as we explore a few topics relating to the cultural shifts that took place during this period.

9:30am – 10:30am (EST)

Beyond "Real": Impressionist Art in the late 1800s

Learn about the Impressionist style of painting, how it was different from the art that came before it, and how it broke the rules in traditional fine art. Learn to see and paint like an Impressionist painter, and make your own "Impression" with watercolors on canvas.

Provider: Michelle Waters

 

Michelle Waters is a working fine artist and portrait, lifestyle and documentary photographer in the Mid-Ohio Valley. While she has a Fine Art Degree from the University of Akron, she feels anyone can be an artist, and we all have creativity inside of us. Michelle also teaches art for the ArtCart elementary school art program through Artsbridge, as well as adult and children's art classes at the Parkersburg Art Center

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11:30am – 12:30pm (EST)

Piecing Together the Story of Reconstruction: Creating a Story Quilt

Reconstruction began when the first United States soldiers arrived in slaveholding territories and enslaved people escaped from plantations and farms; some of them fled into free states, and others found safety with US forces. The experience of Reconstruction, and the rebuilding of the Union following the Civil War, played out across America. For enslaved African Americans and the newly freed, quilts had hidden messages, shared special messages, and told stories hidden in plain sight. Students will learn important aspects of the Reconstruction era (1861 to 1900) and create their own story quilts, incorporating images of the nation’s history that interest them, as well as Reconstruction Era history in their home state.

Provider: Victoria Smalls, National Park Ranger – Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

 

As a proud Gullah Geechee native of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, Victoria Smalls serves as a National Park Ranger for the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County, S.C. In this park, Ranger Victoria shares Reconstruction Era, 1861 through 1900, the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economic, and labor systems. The people, places, and events in Beaufort County, South Carolina, reflect on the most important issues of this tumultuous time. Ranger Victoria currently serves as a State Commissioner with the SC African American Heritage Commission, as a Maven with the Art of Community-Rural SC, an initiative of the SC Arts Commission, she is a Leo Twiggs Arts Leadership Scholar, and is also a Fellow with the Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Initiative at Furman University.


About the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park:

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, and was established in January of 2017 to tell the story of the Reconstruction era in the United States through the lens of the Port Royal Experiment in the Sea Islands during the Civil War.

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1:30pm – 2:30pm (EST)

Birds Then and Now

Did you know some of the most common bird species found in the Mid-Ohio Valley today weren’t even on this continent in the late 19th century? Back then, bird species that are now extinct were familiar here. For example, vast flocks of passenger pigeons sometimes darkened the skies for days as they passed over, and Carolina parakeets were often spotted along riversides. In the late 1800s, massive declines in bird populations resulted from hunting to obtain feathers for women’s hats—a popular fashion craze. During this time, efforts to change this trend began a conservation movement, which persists today. Join us as we explore this fascinating and often forgotten history of how birdlife has changed in the past 150 years or so.

Provider: Dawn Hewitt, Editor- Bird Watcher’s Digest

 

Dawn Hewitt is editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, North America’s oldest popular magazine for bird watchers, which was founded in Marietta in 1978. She is also editor of its sister publication, Watching Backyard Birds. The magazines have tens of thousands of subscribers across North America and around the world. Dawn has been a birder for more than 40 years and has traveled across the country and abroad just to see new bird species.

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3:30pm – 4:30pm (EST)

Tools of the Trade

It’s time to move. Your destination is west in search of more farm land, but how do you plan for what awaits you? Through this engaging critical thinking activity, campers will be placed in the shoes of many families that moved west after the Civil War. Using objects and primary sources from the acclaimed Eric Sloane Museum in Connecticut, campers will have a chance to see firsthand how to start a farm in the late 1800s

Provider: Kyle Yoho, Education Director – The Castle

 

Kyle Yoho has served as the Education Director for The Castle since 2015 and is an Adjunct Professor of Museum Studies for Marietta College. He received his BA in History from Marietta College and MA in Public History from Wright State University. Kyle has planned museum public programs for all ages for 15 years.

 

Provider: Andrew Rowand, Museum Assistant – Eric Sloane Museum
 
Originally from West Virginia, where he received his BA in Social Studies Education from Shepherd University, Andrew Rowand comes to the Eric Sloane Museum with experience working at public history sites like Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park, South Mountain State Battlefield for the Maryland Park Service, and Henricus Historical Park managing their 17th century Virginia tobacco farm. In his spare time, Andrew is an avid agriculturalist and supporter of historical trades and may be found working aboard tall ships. He and his wife are thrilled to be living in New England in a small timber-framed farmhouse with their two pups and cat. Andrew is honored to be a steward of one of Connecticut’s valuable cultural resources.

 

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7:00pm – 8:00pm (EST)

"That Chinese Girl": How Mamie Tape Won the Right to Go to School

This bonus class is FREE to any campers who have registered for the full week or additional camp classes. This class will be the usual class fee of $5 for anyone wanting to select only this session.

The United States has often been described as a nation of immigrants, promising freedom and opportunity to those who arrived in America – but not everyone was welcomed. As early as the 1850s, Chinese immigrants were treated unfairly, with laws that made it difficult to enter the country, and restrictions on where they lived, worked, and educated their children.
In this presentation, students will learn about the lives of Joseph and Mary Tape, who were Chinese immigrants living in San Francisco; as well as the struggles of their daughter, Mamie Tape, in getting to attend a public school in 1884. Referred to as “that Chinese girl” in the newspapers, Mamie Tape’s perseverance, and the winning decision in the Tape v. Hurley (1885) case, made history in the rights of all children to public education. Several primary sources, including court documents, a letter from Mrs. Tape, and photographs of the family, will be used to explore how the Chinese community fought for their civil rights and equality.
All participants are invited to join in the interactive journal activity and group reflection, which will follow the presentation. We recommend that you have paper and writing utensils nearby!

Provider: Anneliese Meck - Manager of Community Lifeways at the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY

 

Anneliese Meck is the Manager of Community Lifeways at the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY, and has worked as a historical interpreter since 2014. She holds a B.I.S. in costume technology and textile arts from Kent State University, and enjoys creating historical clothing and educational programs. She honors her Chinese and American heritages by providing an accurate, informative, diverse, and inclusive interpretation of history and material culture.

 

Please note: This bonus session, like the classes for this camp, is geared toward students entering 3rd - 6th grade, but open to those age 18 and younger. These sessions are limited to this age range for educational purposes as well as to create a safe digital learning environment for our young campers.

We hope to offer sessions like this as a part of our "All Ages History Camp" in February 2022.

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Wednesday, July 7 “Marietta’s 100th Birthday: Day 1”

Today we’re getting involved in some of the activities behind Marietta’s historic centennial celebrations of the beginning of the city and establishment of the Northwest Territory!

9:30am – 10:30am (EST)

Decoration & Display

It’s time to prepare for a celebration! With this hands-on activity, campers will have a chance to make some fun decorations appropriate for 1888. We’ll be featuring multiple easy to follow crafts that will help set the scene for our camp’s centennial activities.
(Downloadable instructions and materials list will be emailed to campers without supply kits)

Provider: Jerrie Berentz, Volunteer – The Castle
 

Jerrie is retired from the Marietta City Schools where she served for many years as an elementary guidance counselor. From the time she was very young Jerrie loved sewing and fabric arts especially making cloth dolls. She has been associated with The Castle since 2016 where she serves as a docent, volunteer liaison, and works on curatorial inventory.

 

Provider: Terri Marlow, Volunteer – The Castle

 

Terri Marlow is a Castle volunteer, serving as a docent and a member of the Educational Task Force. After her 40+ years as a high school Spanish teacher, Terri now enjoys learning Marietta history with younger students during “Day at the Castle” activities as well as exploring various aspects of US history during History Camp.

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11:30am – 12:30pm (EST)

Take Care to Curate!

During the centennial, displays of historical artifacts drew large crowds. Many of these artifacts were a hundred years old, but sometimes much older. How do you guarantee objects last so long? The answer is curation! Curation is an important “behind-the-scenes” activity at museums, and is essential for preserving the artifacts of history. This session will explore the meaning and activities of curation, observe how curators helped assure the “Star-Spangled Banner” lasts another 250 years, and provide a hands-on experience of proper curation methods.

Provider: Wesley Clarke, Collections Manager & Archaeologist – The Castle

 

Wesley Clarke is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with training in historiography, art history, and material culture analysis. He has conducted field research in Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Thailand, and Cambodia, and is currently excavating the 1808 Clark Pottery site at The Castle Museum.

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1:30pm – 2:30pm (EST)

Exhibits At Home

At the city’s centennial, 100 year old objects were put on display to show a physical reminder of the early founders and times past. In this activity, you’ll learn how to create an exhibit to tell a story through objects, any story you want! Careful planning, proper handling, and labeling of objects in your own house can lead to some really interesting exhibits outside of the traditional museum.
(Downloadable instructions and materials list will be emailed to campers without supply kits)

Provider: Leslie Wagner, Historian – Dawes Arboretum

 

Leslie Wagner is the Historian at The Dawes Arboretum in Newark. She creates a new exhibit every year from artifacts in The Arboretum’s historic collections. Leslie has a BA and MA in American Studies from Youngstown State University and Bowling Green State University.

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3:30pm – 4:30pm (EST)

Following a Historical Recipe

In this hands-on session we’ll be making Mrs. Betsey Mills’ baking powder biscuit from Marietta’s 1887 Centennial Cookery Book. In addition to making this enjoyable treat, we’ll discuss some of the difficulties with older recipes and how to decipher cooking instructions.

Click here to download the activity instructions and recipe for this session!
If you’re cooking along with us, we suggest having an adult nearby.

Provider: Kyle Yoho, Education Director – The Castle

 

Kyle Yoho has served as the Education Director for The Castle since 2015 and is an Adjunct Professor of Museum Studies for Marietta College. He received his BA in History from Marietta College and MA in Public History from Wright State University. Kyle has planned museum public programs for all ages for 15 years.

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Thursday, July 8 “Marietta’s 100th Birthday: Day 2”

We’re going to continue keep yesterday’s celebration with more activities exploring the many interesting facets of the 1888 centennial commemorations. .

9:30am – 10:30am (EST)

On-the-Spot: Imaginative and Improvisational Theater

During the centennial, community members, including local children, performed a historical pageant taking on the roles of figures from Marietta’s past and using imagination to transport themselves into the shoes of persons who lived 100 years ago. Through theater they were able to bring history to life. In the late 19th century, entertainment in the home and especially for children relied heavily on imagination. In this activity, campers will learn the basics of how imagination provides the groundwork for improvisational theater. After a brief demonstration, they will then break off into small groups and create their own improvised scenes which will be performed for the group.

Provider: Roving Rogue Productions

 

Roving Rogue Productions is a theater troupe based out of Northeast Ohio which focuses on new and unique forms of entertainment. Branching from a background in historical interpretation and traditional theater, the Rogues strive to provide a wide range of entertainment options, including live and virtual performances, audio dramas, and social media storytelling. The troupe also offers educational outreach and community opportunities to cultivate a love for theater and explore a variety of passions and mediums.

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11:30am – 12:30pm (EST)

Let’s Make a Plan

Why were Marietta’s centennial events so successful? The answer is because of good planning. During this activity, two seasoned event planners will engage campers in honing their craft. Campers will actively learn the basics of promotion, communication, flexibility, and logistics through critical thinking exercises and group activities.

Provider: Kyle Yoho, Education Director – The Castle

 
Kyle Yoho has served as the Education Director for The Castle since 2015 and is an Adjunct Professor of Museum Studies for Marietta College. He received his BA in History from Marietta College and MA in Public History from Wright State University. Kyle has planned museum public programs for all ages for 15 years.

 


Provider: Cristie Thomas, Executive Director – Marietta Main Street
 
Cristie Thomas is the Executive Director of Marietta Main Street and as such, oversees all of Main Street's internal and external operations. Cristie is from Long Island, NY. She earned her BA from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA and her MA from SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, VT. With a strong background in organizational management, nonprofit governance, community development, strategic planning, communications, and civic engagement, Cristie strives to build community, always, and to do all she can to contribute to Marietta’s vibrancy as a thriving town in rural Appalachia.

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1:30pm – 2:30pm (EST)

Stand up – Speak out!

When Marietta celebrated its centennial in 1888, many famous speakers presented speeches and large crowds came out to listen. But you don’t have to be famous to give a speech! Everyone has information, stories, and thoughts worth sharing, but many people feel anxiety when asked to speak in front of a group. In this session we will find some fun ways to lessen the anxiety so you can stand up and speak out about your interests and thoughts. Once you learn some basics, public speaking can be fun! Maybe you will be the next “famous speaker” to take the stage at a celebration in your hometown!

Provider: Dr. Linda Lockhart – Marietta College

Linda Lockhart first discovered her love of public speaking in 4th grade when she was asked to give a presentation for visitors of a poem the class was learning. As a student at Marietta College, she earned a BA in public relations and a certificate in oral communication. She also was the winner of the Jewett Prize for oration, for which she was awarded the opportunity to give the commencement address in 1994. Linda also has an MS and a PhD from Ohio University, in strategic communication and historiography. She is now an assistant professor of communication at Marietta College where she is the director of the fundamentals of communication course and the Communication Resource Center, which provides support for students who want to improve their oral communication skills.

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3:30pm – 4:30pm (EST)

Creating a Cookbook & Recording Recipes

For Marietta’s centennial a group called the Woman’s Centennial Association created a cookbook said to have include some of the city’s most historical and favored recipes. Do you have the recipes for your favorite meal or a dish you really enjoy making? Whether it’s a family recipe or one you found on the internet, it’s important to know how to read and write recipes for future use. In this session we’ll teach campers the skill of writing their own recipes so they can begin their own cookbook!

Provider: Dagmar Kupsche, The Cook’s Shop

 

Dagmar Kupsche, owner of The Cook’s Shop in Marietta Ohio, discovered the joy of cooking as a child while helping her mother in the kitchen and watching Julia Child on TV. Her other talent, sewing, led her to an Apparel Design degree from Rhode Island School of Design, a career as a knitwear designer with The Limited and her own custom bridal gown business. Over the last ten years she has had the opportunity to be trained as a chef by Dave Rudie, a friend and mentor.

 

Provider: Kyle Yoho, Education Director – The Castle
 
Kyle Yoho has served as the Education Director for The Castle since 2015 and is an Adjunct Professor of Museum Studies for Marietta College. He received his BA in History from Marietta College and MA in Public History from Wright State University. Kyle has planned museum public programs for all ages for 15 years.

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Friday, July 9 “World Events”

On our last day of camp, we’ll explore America’s involvement in some world changing events that occurred at the end of the century highlighting the Spanish American War and a new progressive musical movement sweeping across the nation.

9:30am – 10:30am (EST)

Empires Rise & Empires Fall

With the world poised to begin a new century, a series of events in the last years of the 1890’s caused a dramatic shift in the established world order. As one nation aggressively worked to increase its influence and power, another lost its last colonial possessions, signifying an end to its long-standing supremacy. What role did the United States play in this drama? Find the answer and discover the dynamic personalities and momentous events that brought about this profound global change. Test your knowledge of geography and history and enjoy hearing music and learning a few phrases in another language as well!

Provider: Terri Marlow, Volunteer – The Castle

 

Terri Marlow is a Castle volunteer, serving as a docent and a member of the Education Task Force. After her 40+ years as a high school Spanish teacher, Terri now enjoys learning Marietta history with younger students during “Day at the Castle” activities as well as exploring various aspects of US history during History Camp.

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11:30am – 12:30pm (EST)

Yellow Journalism or “Fake News”?

This presentation will explore how yellow journalism of the late 1800s used sensationalized and exaggerated news to attract readers and increase circulation. Learn why it was called "yellow" and about the circulation wars of two prominent New York newspapers. Although a dark period in journalism history, some good came from that era, including the use of investigative reporting.

Provider: Professor Lori Smith – Marietta College

 

An assistant professor of communication at Marietta College, Lori Smith also advises the college chapter of the American Advertising Federation, coordinates student internships, and is involved with teaching in the first-year student program. Smith is the grant coordinator for WMRT/WCMO, securing underwriting grants from community organizations to help fund programming. Prior to working in education, Lori worked for 15 years in the newspaper industry and still serves as a volunteer editor. She also is on the board of directors of The Castle Historical House Museum.

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1:30pm – 2:30pm (EST)

The US Soldier of the Spanish American War

Who were the soldiers that made up the US Army during the Spanish American War? Let a soldier tell you! He’ll show off and explain his army issue clothing and equipment. Don’t’ miss this opportunity to learn about the life of a Spanish American War soldier!

Provider: Sergeant First Class Joshua Mann, Historian – Ohio Army National Guard

 

Sergeant Mann is the Historian for the Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG), a position he has held since 2005. In addition, he serves as the curator of the OHARNG Historical Collections. He enlisted in 1995 and served in the Scout Platoon of the 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry before assuming his present assignment. He was a member of the Ohio World War I Centennial Committee, the Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and a working group member of the Ohio Civil War 150 Commission.

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3:30pm – 4:30pm (EST)

Ragtime Tunes

The end of the 19th century saw a drastic shift in musical stylings and the way the general public interacted with music at home and in concert venues. During this session, students enjoy a fun, informative, and energetic ragtime session closing out our camp on a high note!

 

Provider: John Connors, Military Musician and Music Historian – Readiness NCO, 122nd Army Band 

 

A native of northeastern Ohio, John Connors has been in the Ohio Army National Guard since 2007 and serves full-time as the Readiness NCO and as a trombone player with the 122nd Army Band of Columbus. Earlier in his military career, he performed the solemn duties of Funeral Honors bugler, sounding Taps hundreds of times each year. Connors graduated in 2019 with a Master of Music degree (with licensure) in Music Education from the University of Akron. He is also a 2014 graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where he earned a Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance. Prior to that, he received a Bachelor of Music degree, magna cum laude, in Trombone Performance from Ohio University in Athens.

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This camp is generously supported by grant funding from the following organizations:

Marietta Welfare League

The Marietta Welfare League has provided grant funding to support this year’s supply kits

Marietta Community Foundation

The Marietta Community Foundation has provided monetary supports for this year’s speakers

Dorothy A. Oyster Fund – Marietta Community Foundation

The Dorothy A. Oyster Fund provides financial assistance for our Virtual History Campers

Thank you to these organizations and contributors for their support!!!

Interested in registering the full camp? Full camp registrations are discounted for just $75 per camper!

Full Camp - $75


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Frequently Asked Questions

A. History Camp is a 5-day camp filled with engaging and educational activities geared toward students entering 3rd – 6th grades, but open to those age 18 and younger. Activities like crafts, games, music, dancing, and impressive presentations are utilized to connect campers to the past. Each year’s camp features a different period of history focusing on the history of our local area. Camps have ranged from the early 1800s to as late as the 1960s. We pride ourselves on providing active, participatory, and educational activities to connect our campers to important facets of each time period we cover. To help us create professional quality and student-friendly programs, The Castle collaborates with professional interpreters and educators, skilled artisans, and historians passionate to connect a young audience to the past. This camp is perfect for any students with a passive or intense interest in history! We guarantee a fun, engaging experience for all who come to learn.
A. History Camp strives to cover the major movements and changes that take place during the camp’s selected historical time frame. Much of our content is focused on engaging campers with the cultural and social history of the given time period through an active learning environment comparing and contrasting the differences between present-day and the era being discussed.
A. Our providers for History Camp activities include Castle staff and volunteers, skilled artisans, educators, historians, and professional interpreters. History Camp reaches out to local, regional, and sometimes experts from across the country to provide fascinating, engaging experiences for campers. In the past, our camp has worked with the Historian of the Ohio Army National Guard, Marietta College professors, local art and music instructors, expert collectors, regional singer-songwriters, and nationally acclaimed interpreter Cheyney McKnight of Not Your Momma’s History. All presenters are carefully selected because of their historical expertise and passion for actively engaging a younger audience with the past.
A. In February 2021 The Castle was able to offer its first “All Ages Virtual History Camp.” At this time we hope we may be able to offer a similar experience for campers who are above the age 18 limitation for our summer camp, but nothing is set in stone as of yet. Stay tuned to The Castle’s social media, email notifications, and our website for any announcement on this as well as learning about several engaging, educational opportunities for all ages offered throughout the year. You can see these events listed by following this link to our event calendar We will continue to explore imaginative and manageable ways we may be able to offer additional programs for all ages!
A. As one of the larger educational programs the museum offers, this camp utilizes a large amount of resources. Additionally, to ensure campers enjoy the highest quality experience, several professional presenters are hired to create a great camp experience. To support the educational mission of this camp, donations can be made to The Castle online by following this link: <a https://mariettacastle.org/support/give/ . For further information on how you to support this camp, please contact the museum’s Director Scott Britton by calling 740-373-4180. Volunteers who support our educational mission for students provide a huge contribution to this camp. If you are interested in volunteering with The Castle, please follow this link to our online volunteer application form https://mariettacastle.org/support/volunteer/
Safety: Per the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Ohio’s Responsible Restart Ohio Summer Camp Guidelines we were operating under when we first began planning camp early this year, we would be unable to operate a physical camp in a capacity that we feel would be comfortable, enjoyable, or practical for the camp’s mission to create an engaging, educational, fun, and, most importantly, guaranteed safe experience for any potential camper. While it was a very difficult decision to continue our camp virtually for another year, we believe this is the right decision to ensure a quality camp experience and the safety for our campers, volunteers, presenters, staffers, and the families of all involved.

Accessibility: History Camp, an annual program hosted by The Castle for the past 26 years, has grown exponentially over the past five years. The camp now serves more than 30 campers each day, with the support of fifteen volunteers and six staff members. Given the human scale of our camp and limited size of our facilities, we would have to turn away many campers to maintain safe social distancing. We believe that educational opportunities, like our History Camp, should be openly accessible for students. Between the choice of not providing any camp experience and hosting a virtual camp, we have chosen to continue our educational mission by providing for any camper who wishes to join us online. It is our hope that through these virtual offerings this year, we might engage any potential campers in a fun, active, and educational learning experience.

Logistics: Planning for History Camp starts at least six months in advance of the event date, but ideally even earlier than that. Researching, brainstorming, and a lot of creative thinking is required to take a twenty year span of local, state, national, and world history from which we can choose relevant, interesting, and entertaining activities for campers. Communication takes place with a myriad of speakers and organizations to find expert presenters to create twenty activities from scratch that bring over 100 year old history to life. This takes a lot of coordination and, as you may guess, A LOT of time. When it came down to crunch time in our planning this year, we had no updated guidelines and no forecast for the Covid-19 pandemic, much less how state or local guidelines would affect this year’s camp. Taking these factors into consideration, The Castle’s Programming & Community Outreach Committee made the decision to continue our History Camp virtually. As discussed above under “Safety” and “Accessibility” this decision allowed us to continue planning a camp we knew would be safe for all involved and still be able to take place despite circumstances of the pandemic. With the hope that this may be our final fully virtual year, we have strived to put together a great camp utilizing expert local presenters, but also presenters from across the nation who, under normal circumstances, may never have been able to attend our in-person camp. We have put every effort into ensuring The Castle’s 2021 Virtual History Camp is an exceptionally engaging, entertaining, and, of course, educational experience for all our campers.

Quotes

“It's always great, fantastic, every year. And it's always different.”
Virtual History Camper 2020

“Marietta's history is an amazing part of our town. We wanted to learn even more about it.”
Virtual History Camper 2020

“I’ve done this before…and I really, really love it.”
Zoey M.

“It’s just really cool to learn about the history of where we live.”
Jarrett P.

“We’re doing so many interesting things!”
Frances C.

“Each day has a different theme, so we try to touch on topic areas that were important to that time frame.”
Kyle Yoho, Education Director, The Castle


History Camp Photo Library


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