Be a Tourist in Your Own Town Experience comes to Seneca County

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN! Be a Tourist in Your Own Town is an initiative and event where residents of Seneca County have the opportunity to explore the experiences and attractions in their own backyards. Seneca County is a community full of life, culture, and a uniqueness all its own, and we can't wait for participants to be immersed in the culture of their community in a whole new way and see the attractions, businesses, and more in a new light. During this weekend of March 24, 25, and 26, enjoy free admission to every museum and gallery along with several experiences throughout the county from 12 to 4 PM. Donations are accepted and encouraged.

Participants will have the opportunity to win more than $500 in prizes by completing a passport.  You can print out a copy of the official passport or pick one up at any of the experience locations. Complete 2 experiences and visit 6 of the attractions and return your passport back to an experience location to be entered to win some awesome prizes! Get your passport here.

REMINDER: If you do not print off your own passport, they can only be picked up at an Experience Location (Fostoria Iron Triangle, Hawkes Crystal Workshop, The Poignon Project, or The Ritz Theatre.) ALL completed passports must be returned to an Experience Location only to be entered into the prize drawing! 

Participating Experiences 

Experiences will begin every hour, on the hour! (12, 1, 2 & 3 PM)

Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark, B & O Railroad Caboose | 499 S. POPLAR ST., FOSTORIA

Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark is a 5-acre tract directly inside the three double-track mainline freight rail lines that meander through Fostoria. Open 24/7, this park provides a 360-degree viewing platform that allows one to experience the sights and sounds of the 60-plus trains that pass through Fostoria daily. In the spring of 2021, the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society added a B&O 3000 series caboose that was built from 1965 to 1966 by International Car Company in Kenton, Ohio. Enjoy a guided tour and walk through history of the caboose and the impact of the rail industry on our community throughout time.

Hawkes Crystal Workshop | 1656 N SR 53, TIFFIN

Watch a live glass cutting demonstration with Tiffin-native, Aaron Gooding, at the Hawkes Crystal workshop. Aaron is an apprentice under Master Brilliant Cutter and Designer, Aidan J. Scully, one of a few master brilliant cutters in the United States.

The Poignon Project | THE 227 E. PERRY ST., TIFFIN

Sitting in the front row of the glass blowing demonstration, you can feel the heat from the fire as the glass expands and bends to make a unique shape. It looks as though it could melt and drip onto the floor, but it never does since the highly skilled glass blower continuously turns the hot glass, fighting against gravity. Even through the protective glasses shielding your eyes from the light of the flames, you can see this amazing artwork forming before your eyes. Looking around at all the glass pieces in the shop, it’s amazing to consider that this is how they were all made.

The Ritz Theatre | 30 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

*No tours on Friday (3/24) due to a show.* Let your worries melt away and enjoy the fabulous Ritz Theatre for an interactive tour! A historic 1928 vaudeville era movie palace renovated in 1998, the Ritz serves the Northwest Ohio region as a performing arts center hosting national headliners, touring productions, dance, comedy, family shows, community theatre, and more. Restored almost to the original condition in 1998, four original textone murals are breath taking as they adorn each side of the stage. A mammoth 1,200 lb. chandelier made of 20,000 Czechoslovakian crystals hangs impressively in the fine arts center. Learn new facts and stories about this Seneca County staple and experience it in a whole new way.

Participating Attractions

American Civil War Museum of Ohio | 217 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

History buffs and families will learn about the Civil War and Ohio’s role in this unique educational center meant for all ages. This 10,000 sq. ft. facility offers exhibits, research library, theatre, gift shop, and 40 hands-on activities. If you’re planning a visit on a Saturday, call in advance.

Diane Kidd Gallery at Tiffin University | 195 MIAMI ST., TIFFIN

The mission of The Diane Kidd Gallery of Art is to educate, enrich lives, and enlarge the world of students, staff, and the larger community by providing a dedicated venue in which to present quality arts exhibitions and programs by talented professional, amateur, and student artists. The gallery will be featuring the Patterns in Clay exhibition by Kaname Takada and  Sumiko Takada during this weekend.

The Enchanted Moment Doll Museum & Gift Shoppe | 174 JEFFERSON ST., TIFFIN

You are invited to come tour this amazing collection of more than 3,000 dolls and other items from many nations and cultures.

Fostoria Community Arts Council Gallery | 125 S. MAIN ST., FOSTORIA

The Fostoria Community Arts Council Gallery showcases the work local and area artists. 

Foster's Museum on Main | 105 N. MAIN ST., FOSTORIA

This museum houses a permanent collection of items that belonged to Fostoria's namesake native, Ohio Governor Charles Foster, and his family.

Fostoria Area Historical Museum | 123 W. NORTH ST., FOSTORIA

The Fostoria Area Historical Society Museum contains many items of interest from Fostoria's past, including an extensive collection of items from John B. Rogers Producing Company, America's largest producer of amateur theatricals; many items that belonged to Governor Charles Foster, Fostoria's most important citizen; a classroom display containing many items from the former Whittier School; a Victorian life exhibit and a 1918 Allen Motor Car, manufactured in Fostoria on the site now occupied by the Fostoria Post Office.

Fostoria Glass Heritage Gallery | 109 N. MAIN ST., FOSTORIA

The Fostoria, Ohio Glass Association’s Glass Heritage Gallery is dedicated to preserving and illustrating the history of Fostoria, Ohio glass. Fostoria had 13 different plants at various times during the period of 1887-1921. Most of the 1,000 pieces of glass in the Gallery are on loan from over 100 collectors. Each glass case has signage designating the manufacturer and the name or number of the pattern

Hawkes Crystal Store | 207 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

Whether you're looking for a memorable anniversary gift or a Christmas ornament to commemorate the past year, you can find a beautiful piece of etched glass among the rich history at Hawkes Crystal, a custom glass shop that specializes in making limited edition, American Brilliant cut glass pieces. You will also have the opportunity to view a live glass cutting demonstration by Tiffin-native, Aaron Gooding, at Hawkes Crystal's workshop as one of the participating experiences. Combine this attraction with the experience to get the full picture of Hawkes Crystal coming to life. 

Lake Erie & Western Depot | 128 W. NORTH ST., FOSTORIA

This 1880’s LE&W (Lake Erie & Western) depot is one of Fostoria’s historic railroad buildings still in existence. The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society (FRPS) is the current owner of this passenger depot. Railroad historic items are on display for the public to view.

Seneca County Museum  | 28 CLAY ST., TIFFIN

*Not open on Saturday (3/25) due to presenting at the Ohio History Alliance Annual Meeting.* Your window to Seneca County's history is framed and ready for viewing at the Italianate-style 1853 home of Tiffin's first millionaire, Rezin Shawhan. Experience the elegant drawing room with original furnishings and elaborate architectural details. The parlor, with its original wallpaper, marble fireplace, and chandelier, showcases early means of musical entertainment. The remainder of the first floor has been renovated to enhance displays of glassware, primitive kitchen items and military uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia. The library and research center offers material on wide range of topics and the new gift shop features historically themed items and books by local artisans and authors.

Stemtown Historical Society Museum | 111 E. MORGAN ST., GREEN SPRINGS

Featuring books, postcards, photographs, Seneca Indian collections, WWl & WWll memorabilia, old copies of “Green Springs Echo,” video-taped interviews of residents, and local historical memorabilia are available for you to browse and view. See the stories of Green Springs come to life!  

Tiffin Art Guild & Gallery | 130 S. WASHINGTON ST, TIFFIN

TAG is Tiffin's premier artist's organization, which features an outstanding gallery and gift shop.

Tiffin Glass Museum & Shoppe | 25 - 27 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

The Tiffin Glass Museum honors the heritage established by the men and women of Tiffin’s “Glass House”. Through preservation and education, the museum safeguards glassware made by the artisans from the factory’s nearly hundred-year history. Museum preservation work includes acquiring memorabilia and historical documents from the factory’s beginnings in 1889 until its closing in 1984. Gift Shoppe features products from the original Tiffin Glass Factory where beautiful stemware, tableware and decorative ware was produced from 1889 to 1980.

Wesley Memorial Art Gallery | 1200 VAN BUREN ST., FOSTORIA

The gallery, a member of the Fostoria Community Arts Council, is located in the narthex of Wesley United Methodist Church and features unique art for your viewing pleasure. 

We hope that being a tourist in your own town opens your eyes to everything Seneca County has to offer and excites you about the past, present, and future of our community. Thank you for participating and for supporting our local destination, businesses, and more!