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Visitors to Historic Fort Steuben this October will have the opportunity to have a unique experience at the Fort akin to what the soldiers and settlers experienced during the dark nights on the frontier.

In the fall of 1786 at historic Fort Steuben, there was nothing beyond the stockade but dark wilderness. The soldiers and surveyors had only the light of their fires and lanterns in which to keep watch. 

On October 2 and 9 starting at 7:00pm, an open house will be held at Historic Fort Steuben and visitors will be welcome to visit after dark for some afterhours history. Participants will learn about the fort, its role in the settling and surveying of the Northwest Territory and what life was like on the Ohio frontier in the late 18^th century. The buildings in the fort will be open with guides stationed in each one to interact with visitors and share some history.  After visiting touring the Fort, visitors will be welcome to sit by the campfire to listen to stories and enjoy some refreshments. 

Cost for Visiting the Fort by Candlelight is $10 per person; 12 and under $5. For more information, call the Visitor Center at 740-283-1787.

For information, contact Paul Zuros, 740-283-1787.

The annual exhibit, Celebrate the Constitution, sponsored by Historic Fort Steuben and the Fort Steuben Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, opens at the Fort Steuben Visitor Center on Monday, September 6.

The exhibit highlights the signers, the details and the history of America’s founding document which is commemorated every year on September 17, Constitution Day. Included in the exhibit is The Bill of Rights & You, created by the National Archives Traveling Exhibits Service.

“The Constitution of the United States is a document that everyone should be familiar with explained Paul Zuros, Executive Director of Historic Fort Steuben and the Visitor Center. “Our objective is to give all citizens, young and old, a better understanding of the origins and significance of the Constitution and its relevance in our society 21^st century.”

Zuros noted that learning what the founders discussed, debated, and argued over as they decided how the new nation would govern itself is important for appreciating the rights and privileges we have today.

“Our exhibit gives information on the Constitution and on some of those people influential in its writing. The video A More Perfect Union demonstrates the often volatile debates that raged as the delegates tried to balance the concerns of each region.”

The exhibit includes a display on the Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments – that ensured the rights that weren’t detailed in the original document.

“The framers of the Constitution realized that as the country grew, the government would need to adapt and so designed a way to do it through the amendment process. Their foresight prevented the violence that often occurred in other nations when changes were necessary,” he added. “Proposing an amendment is easy, but two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the states must approve the change before it is added to the Constitution. That is why, out of more than 11,000 attempts to amend the Constitution, only 27 have been successful.”

The exhibit also offers visitors the opportunity to sign a replica of the Constitution and receive a free pocket Constitution. Puzzles, information and quiz sheets are available to take home as well.

Constitution Day was the brainchild of Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia who always carried a copy of the Constitution with him and was emphatic about making Constitution Day events a requirement for organizations that receive federal funds.

Individuals, families, school groups and civic organizations are invited to visit the free exhibit that runs until September 18th. The Visitor Center is located at 120 S. 3^rd Street in Steubenville and open from 10-4, Monday through Saturday, and 11-4 on Sunday. For more information call 740-283-1787.

Due to popular demand, Adult Education Classes will be held at historic Fort Steuben on September 13-14-15.  The class will be held from 6-8pm in the Conference Room at the Visitors Center. 

“Building off of our popular Summer Youth Program, Staff at Fort Steuben over the years have received many requests from adults who wanted to take part in the program.” Explained Paul Zuros, Executive Director at Historic Fort Steuben. “Now adults can be a part of the fun originally only offered to youth.” 

Class attendees will cover several local history topics over the course of the program.  Special guest and local author Alan Fitzpatrick will speak on Native American history and culture. Other topics will include the surveying and settlement of the Northwest Territory, the military experiences at the Fort, the Lewis and Clark expedition and the work of archaeologists. Also, they will have a chance to learn about the local creatures in the Ohio River as well as march with Baron von Steuben.

Applications for the 2021 Adult Education Class at Historic Fort Steuben are now being accepted. Applications are available at Fort Steuben, as well as online at www.oldfortsteuben.com. Class sizes are limited, and space is on a first come first serve basis. 

                The program runs from 6pm to 8pm Monday September 13, Tuesday September 14, and Wednesday September 15.  Cost for the program will be $45 total or $15 per day. Pre-registration is required.  For more information, call 740-283-1787. Historic Fort Steuben is located at 120 S. 3^rd Street in Steubenville.

Photo: Students sift for artifacts in the archaeology dig during the Summer Youth Educational Program at Historic Fort Steuben.

Due to so many rain cancellations this season for the 2021 Fort Steuben Concert Series, a special ‘make-up’ concert has been scheduled for Labor Day at the Berkman Amphitheater, 120 South Third Street, Steubenville. The Fossils and SILVER SPRINGS: FLEETWOOD MAC EXPERIENCE will be performing beginning at 7:00pm September 6th.

The Fossils recreate the music from the 70s to today and originals as well. They aim to offer the Best Harmonies in the Valley with the talents of Mary Blake, M.D. Hall and Harry Yeager.

Members of the Silver Springs tribute band hail from Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania and recreate the full experience of Fleetwood Mac. This talented group includes Dave Morgan, Keith Williams, Mike Bess, Joe Mazy, Mindy Bess and Becky Kimble.

Food vendors will also be available.

So come end the ‘summer season’ on Labor Day with tunes and treats at Fort Steuben Park!

As always, no admission is charged, but a free will offering will be collected at intermission.

The 2020 Economic Impact of Tourism in Jefferson County, Ohio as well as the Steubenville/Jefferson County Visitor Center Annual Report (Jan 1-Dec. 31, 2020) have been released.

Click here to view 2020 Economic Impact of Tourism

Click here to view Annual Report

Ohio gardeners, rejoice! The Steubenville Flower Cooperative has scheduled its second annual Garden Tour for Saturday, August 14^th from 10am to 3pm.

“Last year’s event was great success with rave reviews and I’m excited that this year we have more host gardens and more time to view them all,” explained Alex Renn, Founder, Steubenville Flower Cooperative.

“We’ve got a diverse selection of gardens including the Steubenville Flower Cooperative’s cut flower garden, multiple downtown vegetable gardens showcasing water reclamation, the crowd-favorite landscape garden featured last year, a brand-new gardening and compost center downtown, and more,” Renn added.

The free event requires registration and is well choreographed to allow visitors to rotate through the locations, preventing any one site from getting overwhelmed. Each attendee checks in and receives a map with directions to their starting garden

“The tour is a fun thing to do on a Saturday, but I hope it also inspires people to start their own gardens said Renn.

And visitors from last year’s tour agreed as one commented, “It was really cool to be able to see people’s gardens and talk to them about it. It was nice to hear about people’s passion for gardening and how much time they devote to their gardens. Hearing about how they started helped me feel more comfortable that I may be able to start my own garden one day.”

For more information, contact Alex Renn at steubenvilleflowercoop@gmail.com or 541.829.3036 or find them on facebook or instagram: @steubenvilleflowercoop.

Due to inclement weather, a number of the concerts at the Berkman Amphitheater in Fort Steuben Park have been re-scheduled. As of July 10, 2021, the following is an updated Schedule.

The 2021 Dean Martin Hometown Celebration will take place this Thursday through Saturday (June 24th – June 26th) starting on Thursday with a live concert at Berkman Amphitheater by the extremely popular “Beatlemania Magic: Experience the Beatles” and a Karaoke Contest at The Spot Bar, then followed by two days of Street Fair with live entertainment , food, vendors, tours of Jefferson County Historical Museum Dean Martin Room, trolley tours. Dino Cruise-in and live entertainment at The Spot Bar.

See full program below:

Welcoming June is a new event, FIRST WEDNESDAY IN WINTERSVILLE. The event takes place June 2^nd on Main Street Wintersville, from 4:30-8:30pm (rain or shine) and features a farmers’ market, craft vendors, food trucks, kids’ games, DJ, wine & beer.  First Wednesday in Wintersville is planned for the first Wednesdays of the month from June through October.

The following day, June 3^rd is the first regular FORT STEUBEN SUMMER CONCERTS, featuring Easy Street and THE VOGUES.   The concert begins at 7pm at the Berkman Amphitheater, Fort Steuben Park. No admission is charged, however, a free will offering is welcome to help pay for the entertainers.  The concerts will continue each Thursday thereafter through the end of July, with THE FANTASY’S, VINCE VILLANOVA BIG BAND, BEATLEMANIA MAGIC, RON RETZER TRIO and many more!

Next, on June 4^th, is FIRST FRIDAY ON FOURTH, with the June theme: Storybook. First Fridays take place on Fourth Street, beginning at 6pm.  There will be music, art, food, beer, wine, and local production for all.  The event is sponsored by The Harmonium Project and Leonardo’s Coffeehouse & Renaissance Coffee Roasting Co.  

The first weekend of the month brings us OHIO VALLEY FRONTIER DAYS, the annual celebration of history and the past.  Meet the Soldiers, Surveyors, and Native Americans who were part of our 18th century heritage.  Taking place at Historic Fort Steuben on Saturday, June 5^th, from 10am to 8pm and Sunday, June 6^th, from 11am to 5pm, this festival brings food, music, crafts, re-enactors and fun for the whole family. Admission:   Adults – $6; Youth (6-12) – $3; and under 6 years old is free.   Also, at the same time visit the OHIO PIONEERS EXHIBIT at Historic Fort Steuben, which is ongoing from May 16^th through June 30^th. 

STEUBENVILLE GOSPEL MUSIC NIGHT, presented by the Ohio Valley Youth Network & The Sycamore Youth Center, takes place on Sunday, June 13^th at 6:30pm at the Berkman Amphitheater, Fort Steuben  Park, 120 S. Third Street.  There are 15 featured artists and special guest: Ashley Marina (seen on America’s Got Talent). Admission is free.   For further info, call Bobby Jon Bauman at 740-409-2986.

Saturday, June 19^th is the JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY FESTIVAL at the Second Baptist Church from 10am to 8pm.  It will feature DJ, all day music, local talent, health and wellness information and screenings, vendors, food and much more.

THE 35^th ANNUAL GRECIAN FOOD FEST at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, takes place from Wednesday, June 23^rd through Friday, June 25^th, from 11am to 9pm each day.   Free admission and parking.  Available for the Festival, they will be accepting carry – out orders via their Online Ordering system.

The same week, the DEAN MARTIN HOMETOWN CELEBRATION takes place, beginning Thursday, June 24^th through Saturday, June 26^th, co-hosted by The Fort Steuben Visitor Center and The Spot Bar. The festival features a street fair, with food, vendors, live (free) entertainment, and car cruise in; and nightly entertainment at The Spot Bar.  For a full schedule visit:  Steubenville Hometown Celebration Facebook page or www.visitsteubenville.com

 The 2021 BREW AND FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL, presented by Festival in the Woods, takes place on Saturday, June 26^th, from 11am – 8pm, 210 S. Park Street, Richmond.