CIRCLEVILLE, OH — As the United States gears up for its historic 250th birthday on July 4th, communities nationwide are balancing look-ahead visions for the future with a deep respect for the past two and a half centuries. While the official founding of the Ohio Territory and Pickaway County came a few years after 1776, the local history wrapped up in this region is equally rich and worth celebrating.
Local residents looking to connect with their roots this holiday season are invited to take a step back in time with a visit to the Pickaway County Historical and Genealogical Library, located at 210 North Court Street in Circleville.
From Ancient Mounds to Modern Headlines
The library offers far more than standard family trees. Tucked inside its walls is a vast repository of local lore spanning centuries, including:
- Artifacts and records from the ancient days of the Hopewell mound-builders.
- Comprehensive local Civil War records.
- Archival 21st-century newspaper records tracking modern history as it happened.
For those whose ancestors lived, worked, or farmed in the area, a quick search by a library volunteer into the facility’s master database often reveals surprising glimpses into the daily lives of Pickaway County’s founders.
Exclusive Open House Tours & Giveaways
To celebrate the upcoming national milestone, the library is hosting personalized, volunteer-led tours on Wednesday, July 1st, and Thursday, July 2nd, during normal operating hours from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- No Appointments Needed: Visitors can drop in at their convenience. Tours are tailored to individual interests and can take as little as 30 minutes.
- Free Memorabilia: Each family unit attending the open house will walk away with a complimentary gift bag packed with a stash of unique county memorabilia.
- Grand Prize Raffle: Guests can also register for a chance to win a vibrant, 23”x35” color print showcasing Circleville exactly as it stood in 1836.
Following the guided portion of the tour, visitors are encouraged to stick around to browse the archival collections, dive into their own personal research, or check out the library’s book sale, which features titles curated for both serious historians and casual readers alike.
