A meticulously restored and reconstructed 19th-century settlement, Historic Kirtland showcases the vitality and spirit of the early American frontier. It also offers a colorful glimpse into the Second Great Awakening, a period of religious fervor in the United States in the 1820-30s, as it tells the story of early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).
Attractions include:
The Ashery. Explore the only restored ashery in North America. Asheries produced potash or pearl ash, an essential ingredient used to manufacture glass, soap, and gunpowder. Learn how this 19th-century chemical plant produced this highly useful commodity from ashes that were collected, purchased or bartered from the settlers.
The Schoolhouse. Get a feel for a day in a student’s house nearly 200 years ago. Inside the 1819 “little red schoolhouse” rests a cast-iron stove surrounded by authentic tiered seating. Students of all ages met together to learn reading, writing and arithmetic.
Newel K. Whitney Store. See how shopping has changed over two centuries! This restored “general store” has been stocked with commodities listed in the owner’s 1826 ledger and account book. Shoppers bartered personal belongings for household supplies: brown sugar, molasses in 15-gallon wooden kegs, cooking oil in hand-thrown pottery, and fancier “imports” like shoes, bolts of fabric, and dishes.
The Whitney home has been painstakingly rebuilt, redecorated and furnished in 1830s frontier fashion.
The Sawmill. Smell the scent of fresh cut timber as you study the operation of a reconstructed, fully functional sawmill. An impressive water wheel powers saw blades that move up to 60 strokes-per-minute and can handle logs up to 16 feet long. You will see historically correct tools and machinery, including a wood lathe, newly created by talented craftsmen.
The John Johnson Inn. This charming inn looks as it did in the 1830s. Inside, meander and interact with the display kiosks that visually portray the lives of the Kirtland settlers and the region they lived.
Historic Kirtland is east of Cleveland, Ohio, just minutes from I-90 and other major highways. FREE TOURS are available beginning at the Visitors’ Center. Modern facilities, available at no charge, include ample parking, clean restrooms, and picnic areas. Lodging and restaurants are available within a mile.