Community gathers to celebrate Schoenbrunn
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (May 3, 2022) – Hundreds of people packed into the Performing Arts Center this morning to help the Dennison Depot celebrate Historic Schoenbrunn Village on the 250th anniversary of its founding by David Zeisberger and his followers.
Pastor John Wallace from the Dover First Moravian Church guided attendees on a more long journey into the village’s past and present that included a Moravian Music Medley and readings from Zeisberger’s journal.
Several representatives from the Delaware nation were on-hand for the ceremony which also included remarks from New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day and Congressman Bill Johnson.
“We are blessed to be living to celebrate the 250th anniversary. Without the reconstruction of Schoenbrunn Village, the importance of it to our city, our state, and our nation would have probably been lost,” Day said. “Now, you can walk the same streets and the Moravian and Delaware brethren, enter their homes, the school houses, the church and view some of their final resting places.”
“Today, we honor Schoenbrunn Village, a historic place for all ages and a must-stop spot for any historian interested in Ohio’s significant contributions to our country,” Johnson said. “I’m really proud that you asked me to be a small part of it.”
Dennison Depot Executive Director Wendy Zucal publicly thanked the village’s volunteers, its board members, and Ohio History Connection officials, saying supporting the historic site ‘takes a village.’
Schoenbrunn is known for many things, but above all, it is known for his people. David Zeisberger loved his village and loved his people, and I’m happy to say that 250 years later, we still have people who deeply love and care for that village.”
Officials had planned to hold the ceremony at the village so they could unveil its new museum exhibits, welcome sculpture, and reconstructed Schebosh cabin. They moved the festivities across the street anticipating rainy weather and instead shared photos of the additions.