Museum tours

Rhoads-Harter Home

Built in 1847
An altered Greek revival, this was one of the finest homes of its time in the Village of Clinton. Prior to 1860, it was owned by Harvey Maranville, a prominent official on the Underground Railroad along with Masa Wales of Massillon.

It is listed as a SUMMIT COUNTY UGRR site. In 1874 it was purchased by Pearson Washington Rhoads, a Civil War Veteran and his wife, Sara Jane Foltz, a schoolteacher at the “Old Stone” school.

They made several Colonial Revival updates to the home, including literally “raising the roof” and built the Carriage House to the rear of the property. Here, in the tiny part of the original home, they raised eight fine children.

Carriage House

Built approximately 1875

Now, the Heritage Education Center, is made possible by two grants funded by the Akron Community Foundation.

As you enter the Rhoads-Harter Home, you feel as if the family has just stepped out for a moment. It is a window into family life in a canal town at the latter part of the canal era. (Please don’t ask the Docent why there is a rooster in the kitchen.)

Entering the Carriage House, you step into Pearson’s Harness Shop and then into the adjacent Canal Industries Room. There you will see what made Clinton the “boomtown to be reckoned with along the canal”.

Both Museums are open for free guided tours the first Sunday of each month, April through December from 2:00 to 4:00.

Group tours are available at other times by appointment.

WE INVITE YOU TO SPEND A PLEASANT AFTERNOON VISITING OUR QUAINT VILLAGE!

The Clinton Historical Society is an all volunteer, 501C3, organization dedicated to the education, preservation and promotion of the rich heritage of the greater Clinton area and its role along the Ohio & Erie Canal Corridor.

©Clinton Historical Society