ZOAR – Historic Zoar Village is giving historical fiction fans an up-close look at some of the places featured in a novel set in the early days of the town. 

The village will be offering a special tour based on Janet Hickman's "Zoar Blue" on Saturday, June 8th, beginning at 10 am. The novel tells the story of two young people living in the pacifist society of Zoar during the Civil War and the impact the war has on their community and themselves. 

The tour will take visitors to locations that were part of the story’s plot and includes a noon luncheon at the Canal Tavern of Zoar with a Civil War soldier portrayed by a historical interpreter. Site Director Tammi Shrum says the Tuscarawas County Historical Society chose the novel as their 2019 Book Club selection and inspired the village to set up this special tour. 

“We thank them for choosing a book that centers around our history and for giving us the idea for the Zoar Blue Tour," she says.

The cost for the tour and luncheon package is $24. Reservations are due by May 31st by calling 330-874-3011. Copies of "Zoar Blue" are available at the Zoar Store or from the historical society, but people do not need to have read the novel to participate in the tour. 

The Tuscarawas County Historical Society will also be discussing the book during its June 3rd book club meeting. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm at the Tusc Kent Archive in Founders Hall on the Kent State Tuscarawas Campus. 

About Historic Zoar Village 

Historic Zoar Village was founded by German Separatists in 1817 and thrived as a communal settlement for more than 80 years. Today, the village is home to approximately 75 families living in homes built from 1817 to present. Zoar’s historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark District. Dozens of village structures have been painstakingly preserved through the collaborative efforts of the Zoar Community Association and the Ohio History Connection.