fort laurens state memorial

We visited as I am very interested in history and this is the only Revolutionary War Fort in Ohio. The video, a bit out of focus, was interesting and the small museum has some interesting artifacts. The docent could answer all of our questions and was quite informative. However, there is nothing left of the fort. We spent 45 minutes - so it is a quick stop.

This small park is right off I77. There is now a nice restroom there, and volunteers have delineated the perimeter of the original Fort, so if you read the signs and walk around it, you will know quite a bit, already. There is a remnant of the canal in the park, as well, and a hiking-biking-horse trail. There are two shelterhouses with picnic tables, but there is a lot of noise from the highway.From the outside, you can tell the museum is very small. There is a large room in the center with seats, a screen, and a facsimile of an archeological site. The hallway around the outside has a few replicas of uniforms, tomahawks, and tools. There are some Revolutionary War Era rifles, and some displays about the Native Americans who lived here. A few small artifacts from the site round out the exhibit, as well as a very small gift shop.It would be an easy add on to a trip to nearby Schoenbrunn or Zoar, or to a picnic or lunch in Bolivar (I recommend Canal Street Diner)

I liked the history, the grounds and the staff who are helpful and friendly. We visit a couple of times a year on bicycle rides through the area.

Located on the site of the only American fort built in Ohio during the Revolution, Fort Laurens offers a look at the harsh time in the late 1770's where soldiers from Virginia and Pennsylvania faced the hardships of what was essentially wilderness as well as the constant threat to British-allied Natives. A short film can be seen, as well as artifacts from the fort and area, clothing displays, the chance to find out how a moccassin tastes and a tomb of an unknown soldier. There is also a tomb with a few known soldiers who perished at the fort within the memorial's museum

this is a must for history lovers. i had learned about this when i was in school, but now my cihildren learn nothing of this. so on our trip through the forts we had to stop so our teens could moan and groan about vacation being history class on wheels during summer break. but they actually enjoyed it and my daughter is in the process of writing a report for her school reqesting more info taught in classes. the museum is small and full of information. it is an eye opener into the conditions of outposts during the revelutionary war.

With the way history was taught when I was a kid, one would think that New England through Williamsburg, Virginia was the only part of the U.S. involved in the Revolutionary War. I was excited to find out that we have some sites that were involved in that war, including Ft. Laurens. The museum itself is modest, and the fort is currently little more than an outline on the grounds. However, what is there is well interpreted, giving one a sense of how different the war was in Ohio from the more commonly taught East Coast experience of the war. One of the highlights was talking to the knowledgeable and friendly staff member, who gave us more insight into Ft. Lauren's history. It was really interesting talking with her. I will definitely have to get back there during one of there reenactor events. I also hope that the Ohio History Connection is able to reconstruct the fort before the Revolutionary War's 250th anniversary in 2026.

If you enjoy history, make a stop. Interesting little museum about the only Revolutionary War fort in Ohio. You can have a picnic at one of the tables and then take a walk on the Erie and Ohio Canal Towpath.

We stopped at the Fort Laurens State Memorial to see the only Revolutionary War Fort in Ohio. Visit the Museum first to learn of the importance of the fort in this section of Ohio and to see the artifacts from the excavations of the fort that "tell" of the lives of those living in the fort. Walk outside to see the monument and the tomb of the Unknown Patriot. Note the marked outline in the grass of the original fort and picture the life there in Revolutionary War days. There are also picnic areas near the fort and room for kids to run and play.

Take a few minutes to learn about Fort Laurens and the Ohio history located there. A short video is offered and interesting and comprehensive displays help tell the story of this historical site.

We have gone by this memorial for years and never stopped, shame on us. It is a lovely park like setting with a very nice little museum. The park like grounds are very nice and peaceful. It is well worth the stop.

The Revolutionary War reenactment on the Weekend of July 13 and 14 was interesting. Museum was underwhelming. Video presentation was informative, but clearly dated. Had never known of this Fort, so that was interesting. Not sure it would be worth a stop on a non-reenactment weekend.

This site is dry and dated like so many other Ohio Historical Society sites. This is a very small museum with admission (if you are not an OHS member) that hasn't been updated since it opened in the 70s. Watch a short movie and see a few exhibits. If you want to see it, go soon. OHS probably won't keep this one open much longer. Also, do NOT use the restrooms outside!! They are the most disgusting things I have ever seen. Old-fashioned pit toilets with spiders, mosquitoes and who knows what else living in there. The Health Department should really see this one!