Historic Sauder Village

Sauder Village
22611 St. Rt. 2
Archbold, Ohio 43502
In Northwest Ohio
1-800-590-9755

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Rates. Dates & Hours

Educational Overview | Ohio Social Studies Curriculum | Plan Your Visit
Special Events & Programs | Reservation & Payment Forms

The Historic Village... Curriculum
New! Meet the People
An Exhibit Highlight: The District 16 School
Terms to Explore From the Ohio Social Studies Content Standards
Connections to Ohio Social Studies Content Standards
Suggested Activities With a Visit to the Historic Village

Natives & Newcomers... Curriculum
An Exhibit Highlight: The Council Oak Carving
Terms to Explore From the Ohio Social Studies Content Standards
Connections to Ohio Social Studies Content Standards
Suggested Activities With a Visit to Natives and Newcomers
Further Information About the Natives and Newcomers Exhibit

The Historic Village... An Introduction for Teachers

Sauder Village was opened in 1976 by Erie J. Sauder (1904-1997). In the beginning, our name was actually Sauder Farm and Craft Village. Throughout the 1970's, Erie collected buildings from around Northwest Ohio that had been built nearly a century ago. And, over the years, his small museum and village have grown into the large living history complex that Sauder village is today.

Approximately 40 years before creating his Village, Erie founded Sauder Woodworking, which is today the largest manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture in the country. Although he only completed the eighth grade, Erie valued and supported education throughout his life. In fact, during his lifetime Erie was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Northwest State Community College, Defiance College and Ohio State University. Erie specifically created Sauder Village so that future generations of children would understand and admire the daily struggles and triumphs of those who settled the Great Black Swamp.

Today we continue Erie's plans in the more than thirty historic and craft buildings that make up the Historic Village. The historic interpretation traces the growth of this region from 1803-1910. Our costumed interpretive staff shares information of rural life of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries while they demonstrate many activities common during that period. While the Historic Village does now offer students the opportunity to learn from both electronic and print media, our main method of interpretation is through living history. That was Erie's plan, and that is why your Historic Village experience will be filled with costumed interpreters bringing history to life!

A visit to the Historic Village will allow your students to experience Historic Residences (including barns and other outbuildings), Historic Community Buildings and Services, our Museum Building, as well as Historic Trades and Crafts and Continuing Trades. The Historic Trades and Crafts focus on craftspeople using traditional methods to produce goods common in pre-industrial America. And, our Continuing Trades feature craftspeople using very modern methods to produce art inspired by traditional craft.

To view materials designed to help teachers make use of the Historic Village in their classrooms, please click the links provided (located at both the top and bottom of this page).