BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Crawford County is “opening its doors” to visitors through a series of events which kick off this weekend.

It’s all part of a statewide initiative called Ohio Open Doors (OOD); a biennial event sponsored by the Ohio History Connection.  Activities take place Sept. 5-15 in communities across the state.

“It’s very exciting.  We have a lot going on for a small town in the next month and a half,” said Elaine Gebhardt Naples, a volunteer for the Crawford County History Alliance.  “This is a fantastic opportunity.”

During OOD, building owners and landmarks around the state open their doors to the public for special tours and programs.  The idea is to promote and inspire pride in Ohio’s heritage.

The newly formed Crawford County History Alliance has several members participating, according to co-chair Randy Fischer.  “We have a rich, rich history here in Crawford County but it’s but it’s better if we collaborate.”

The Bucyrus Historical Society is kicking off activities with a Cemetery Walk through Oakwood Cemetery Sept. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m.  At the same time, the Harvey One-Room School is celebrating “Prairies to Pow Wows.”

The old school, 1120 Caldwell Road in Bucyrus, is having an apple pressing demonstration for visitors.  It will also be home to a travelling Johnny Appleseed exhibit.

The Bucyrus Public Library, 200 E. Mansfield Street, is joining the OOD bandwagon Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with “Behind the Scenes” tours of the downtown landmark.

On Sept. 13, the Bucyrus Historical Society will host the “Great Apple Giveaway Day” from 1 to 4 p.m. at its museum, 202 S. Walnut Street.  Applesauce will be made, and tours will be available.

The city’s rich train heritage will be showcased Sept. 14 with “Locomotives to Caboose” activities at the historic T & OC Train Depot, 700 E. Rensselaer Street, put on by the Bucyrus Preservation Society.

The day will begin with a breakfast at 8 a.m., and speakers will share locomotive memories at 9:15 a.m.  A live auction of train memorabilia is at 9:45, followed by guided tours of the depot and the 1969 Norfolk & Western caboose from 11 to 2.

The Crawford County Art Center will host the program “Memoir as History: Writing and Publishing Your Stories” on Sept. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1810 Mansfield Street in Bucyrus.

Elsewhere in the county, OOD events continue at Lowe-Volk Park in Crestline where park naturalists will present “See Snakes, Frogs, and So Much More Up-Close” Sept. 7 from noon to 2 p.m.

For two days, Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, the Crestline Historical Museum will be open for tours from 2 to 4 p.m.  The museum is located at 400 Scott Street.

In Galion, both historic Brownella Cottage, 132 S. Union Street, and the Galion History Museum will offer tours Sept. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. hosted by the Galion History Center.

Local Ohio Open Doors events will conclude Sept. 15 when the Friends of the Big Four Depot hosts tours of Galion’s restored train station, 127 N. Washington Street, from 1 to 4 p.m.