Independence Day may be over, but the America 250 celebration in the Anthony Wayne area will continue with Twilight on the Battlefield, Kids Dig History and the opening of a Waterville-focused museum at Wakeman Hall.
Twilight on the Battlefield

(Courtesy Photo)
On Saturday, July 11, the Fallen Timbers Battlefield Commission will host Twilight on the Battlefield from 6 to 9 p.m. at Fallen Timbers Metropark, 4949 N. Jerome Rd. Several reenactors portraying the participants in the battle – including the Native Americans, French, Canadians, British, Kentuckians and other Americans – will be situated along a one-mile guided walk.
“This is a chance to meet historical figures and learn how this truly significant battle changed their lives,” said FTBC President Julia Wiley. “You can see how the battle impacted them at the time of the battle in 1794 and after. What a great way to experience the early history of this part of the country and to continue celebrating America 250!”
Children 17 and younger are admitted free with an adult donating $20. Tickets are available at watervillehistory.org.

Wakeman Hall Museum opens
On Tuesday, July 14, the Wakeman Hall Museum will debut “America 250-Waterville: Stories of our Past, Stories for our Future.”
The exhibit includes:
• Waterville firsts – including Native people, the French, settlers and founder John Pray, as well as the first school, mayor and other milestones.
• Transportation – from the trails and waterways used by the first inhabitants, to the stagecoach line that was the impetus to founding the Columbian House and other hotels, the display also highlights the canal, railroads and other changes in transportation.
• Works takes a look at early business and industry, including farms like Farnsworth Orchard, which at one time took up a large portion of town.
• Creativity provides a glimpse at some of the many talented individuals to live, work and play in Waterville, like Brian Lonsway, Jim White and many others who have been profiled by the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission.
• The exhibit also looks at how Waterville Historical Society has worked alongside younger generations to provide an understanding and appreciation of the past – and how it impacts the future. For decades, Waterville Primary third graders have taken walking tours of the historic downtown, and the high school Student Advisory Council prepares interactive presentations to get younger children interested in history.
The museum, the Kids Dig History and a monthly speaker series – which will pick back up this fall – are the three main focal points that WHS member Beth Hyder outlined in a grant application to the state. The WHS netted the $5,000 America 250-Ohio grant to cover costs for these and other events related to the semiquincentennial.
The museum will remain open for special events, including the Sept. 19 Roche de Boeuf Festival, as well as regular hours that will be announced at watervillehistory.org.
Kids Dig History/Eats and Beats

On Tuesday, July 14 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission, Waterville Historical Society and City of Waterville will host a special Eats and Beats Food Truck Tuesday with Kids Dig History activities for the whole family at Conrad Park, 798 Michigan Ave. in Waterville.
Some of the free Kids Dig History activities include:
• A limestone fossil dig. Look for signs of life long ago embedded into the limestone. The event is hosted by the city, Boy Scout Troop 101 and Dr. Barry Argentine.
• Learn ropemaking with Jeff Buehrer of Fulton County Historical Society.
• Try tin punching with WHS member Bob Chapman.
• Fallen Timbers Battlefield Commission will have displays, activities and free pins.
• Pick up a unique America 250 flag and participate in crafts sponsored by Mary Billmaier, regent for the Fort Industry Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Free America 250-Waterville and Waterville Historical Society memorabilia will be available for kids, including hats, stickers and drawstring bags.
• Waterville Playshop will have a photo booth set up for fun family photos with lots of props.
• Visit miniature horses and dogs with Anne Foltz of Paws and Hooves.
• Enjoy a pajama storytime inside the Waterville Library with Manager Will Harbauer.
Several reenactors will also be on site. Bill Grimes will portray John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed); Jim Conrad will share perspectives from Waterville founder John Pray; and Abigail Simmerson and Taylor Moyer of the Black Swamp Intertribal Foundation will dress in traditional regalia to share the history of Native people during the Northwest Ohio Indian Wars from 1790-1796.

(Courtesy Photo)
The band Hit & Run will perform on the gazebo stage.
Nearby, 10 food trucks will be open for business:
Big Mealz on Wheelz
Deet’s BBQ
Detroit Mini Donuts
Koral Hamburg
Los Pollo Loco
Saucy Slamwich
Snowie Summers
Susie Lynne’s Lemonade
Uncle Louie’s
Several nonprofit organizations and artisan vendors will be set up around the park, including:
Anthony Wayne Nutrition
Cookie General
Crunchy Mama
Donleyn Meyers
Forever Flower Bouquet Bar
Jason Sheskey
Jen Schneider
Joan Hetzner
Judy Kossow
Kathy Eis-Heenan
Kelsey Surface
Keith Neubert
Linda Myers
Linda Stewart
Pour Soul Art
Rachel Clark
Sausy Bites
Sweets by Kelsey
Valerie Hunsaker
Vicki Knauerhase
Waterville Sweets
Waterville United Methodist Church
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to enjoy the music, arts, activities, food and community!



















