Historic Schoenbrunn Village will come alive under the glow of candlelight during this weekend's Autumn Lantern Tours. (Submitted photo)

New Philadelphia, Ohio - The community is invited to explore Historic Schoenbrunn Village by the glow of candlelight during this weekend's Autumn Lantern Tours.

Ordinarily closed to the public between Labor Day and Memorial Day, the village will reopen this Friday and Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. to offer visitors a unique look at 18th-century life after dark.

Jacob Masters is the manager of brand relations and consumer engagement for Historic Schoenbrunn Village and its sister museums, the Dennison Depot Railroad Museum and the Uhrichsville Clay Museum. 

He describes the appeal of the event that has become so popular that it was expanded this year from one day to two:

“The only light you’re going to see is the light from the luminaries and the lanterns in the village. Everything is lit up by candlelight. The ambiance of this event is so cool. That is the best part. Schoenbrunn is already peaceful as it is, but it just comes to life and it’s so beautiful during the Lantern Tour. That’s the draw for this.”

Masters notes that juried reenactors will also be stationed throughout the village during both evenings and giving demonstrations by candlelight. 

“There may be someone who is weaving, and there’s somebody who is telling stories, and there’s another person who is woodworking, and then there are people making butter. There are people in the school doing quill writing, and we have hymns being sung in the church. It’s such a fun, cool event. The village comes to life, and you really see what life was like in 1772.”

Admission to the village for the Autumn Lantern Tours is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and over, $4 for children ages 6-17, and free for children under 6. All tickets are general admission and can be purchased on site the night of the event.