Gnadenhutten Museum and Historical Site

Gnadenhutten Museum and Historical Site Welcome! Find all the information about visiting Historic Gnadenhutten right here. Because of its success, Rev.

In 1772, Moravian missionaries founded a mission for American Indians in the Ohio Country at Schoenbrunn ("Beautiful Spring" in German). David Zeisberger founded a second village in the same year at Gnadenhutten ("Tents of Grace" in German). Life at Gnadenhutten was similar to life at Schoenbrunn. The American Revolution made life difficult for the residents of Gnadenhutten and other Moravian sett

lements. During the war, the non-Christian Delaware increasingly supported England instead of the rebellious Americans or the so-called "Christian Indians" who hoped to remain neutral. To protect his followers, Zeisberger consolidated the Moravian missions at Lichtenau in 1778, but he eventually reestablished the village of Gnadenhutten in April 1779. In 1781, British authorities ordered the Christian Delawares to abandon their current villages and relocate in northern Ohio along the Sandusky River. Arriving at their new villages in the late fall, too late to plant crops, the Moravians and the Christian Delawares faced serious food shortages during the winter of 1781-1782. Hoping to alleviate their suffering, Zeisberger sent a group back to Gnadenhutten in March 1782, to harvest whatever crops remained in the fields. Mistakenly believing that these peaceful American Indians were responsible for recent raids in nearby Pennsylvania, militiamen attacked the village, captured the inhabitants, and then brutally murdered them. This gruesome event is known as the Gnadenhutten Massacre. After the incident, the Moravians never rebuilt the village.

Please check out our updated hours taking affect this week.
06/15/2026

Please check out our updated hours taking affect this week.

This Saturday! Join us between 8 and 10 am for a Community Breakfast. Tables will be ready for you and a friend! Menu fo...
06/12/2026

This Saturday! Join us between 8 and 10 am for a Community Breakfast. Tables will be ready for you and a friend!
Menu for June 13:
Pancakes and Sausage
Coffee, water and OJ

As part of our Summer Series, the Gnadenhutten Museum will be hosting Second Saturday Community Breakfasts in June, July, and August!

Breakfast starts at 8 am, is open to everyone and will be by donation. We believe strong communities are built through time spent together, good conversations, and caring relationships. Our town has always done that well, and we’d love to continue building on it.

Come enjoy a hot meal, catch up with neighbors, and spend a relaxing morning with friends—both old and new. We hope to see you there!

*Menu:
June 13: Pancakes & Sausage
July 11: Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, Muffins
August 8: Breakfast Sandwich & Hasbrown
Coffee will always be hot and the OJ always cold!

*Will stop service approximately 10 am*

As part of our Summer Series, the Gnadenhutten Museum will be hosting Second Saturday Community Breakfasts in June, July...
05/17/2026

As part of our Summer Series, the Gnadenhutten Museum will be hosting Second Saturday Community Breakfasts in June, July, and August!

Breakfast starts at 8 am, is open to everyone and will be by donation. We believe strong communities are built through time spent together, good conversations, and caring relationships. Our town has always done that well, and we’d love to continue building on it.

Come enjoy a hot meal, catch up with neighbors, and spend a relaxing morning with friends—both old and new. We hope to see you there!

*Menu:
June 13: Pancakes & Sausage
July 11: Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, Muffins
August 8: Breakfast Sandwich & Hasbrown
Coffee will always be hot and the OJ always cold!

*Will stop service approximately 10 am*

As we gear up for Summer 2026, we are excited to bring some new programming to Gnadenhutten! Mark you calendars for Firs...
05/07/2026

As we gear up for Summer 2026, we are excited to bring some new programming to Gnadenhutten! Mark you calendars for First Friday Fireside Chats.

04/28/2026

For anyone interested:
Director Andy is giving a talk tonight on the Gnadenhutten Massacre in the context of the American Revolution.

6 pm tonight at the Tuscarawas County Public Library

The History of Gnadenhutten isn’t just found in books—it lives within our community, and it depends on the community to ...
04/09/2026

The History of Gnadenhutten isn’t just found in books—it lives within our community, and it depends on the community to keep it breathing.

To those who grew up here, the Gnadenhutten Museum and Historical Site may seem small and maybe even barely worth mentioning when you tell people where you are from, but on the greater American stage, it holds significant importance! We are currently seeking civic-minded individuals to join our small, dedicated team of volunteers. By giving just a few hours of your time, you aren't just "helping out"—you are ensuring that the rich history of this town is preserved for the next generation.

How you can help:
We seek additional volunteers to staff the museum & grounds during our summer season (Wednesday–Sunday) and our late-season weekends in August and September. Knowledge of anything related to Revolutionary War history, Moravian Mission Villages, Delaware/Lenape culture and general Ohio/Local History is a bonus, but not a requirement.

We also seek extra "on call" volunteers to help with occasional events and potential fill-ins when a regular shift volunteer has a conflict.

02/12/2026
"The American Revolution" airs TONIGHT on PBS. We hear you asking why we are sharing this tidbit of information here.......
11/17/2025

"The American Revolution" airs TONIGHT on PBS.
We hear you asking why we are sharing this tidbit of information here.... well, as with seemingly everything, there is a story!

A few years ago, the Ken Burns crew reached out about filming at Gnadenhutten Historical Site for their upcoming "American Revolution" series. Plans were hatched, filming was done and new friends were made!
We learned a few months ago that the filming done here at our site didn't make the final cut for what will be aired, but the story of Gnadenhutten and images taken here are in the supplemental book that accompanies the series.

We are grateful for the opportunity to meet the crew and talk history! Check out the new series that airs tonight at 8 pm on PBS.

Official website: https://to.pbs.org/amrevpbs | AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new six-part, 12-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sar...

10/11/2025

Today is the day! The weather looks beautiful and we are almost ready for you to come spend the afternoon with us.

A few things:
Handicap parking will be available near the museum. All others will be asked to park in the field or along the cemetery lane.

We have seating available throughout the grounds, but feel free to bring a chair and mark your spot early for the music, auction and fire!

Dick says the soup will be ready before 4 so come early to grab yours!

Admission is free, but bring cash to enjoy the soup, apple butter, concession stand and various crafters. We also welcome your general donations as that is our sole means of funding. We do accept credit/debit cards in the Museum Gift Shop.

See you soon!

09/30/2025

We are excited for this event! Many thanks to the Braves Nation team for the video.

Address

PO Box 776 182 South Cherry Street
Gnadenhutten, OH
44629

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13304323049

Website

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