The Museum will offer free public admission and share lesser-known stories of Christian Waldschmidt’ Homestead. Built on 1,000 acres purchased from his friend and colleague John Cleves Symmes, owner of the Symmes Purchase, the homestead reflects the friendship and business ties between two early pioneers. Visitors will also learn about Symmes’ life during the American Revolution, and his move to the wilderness he purchased, Waldschmidt’ founding of New Germany on the Little Miami River in 1794, and Symmes founding of Cleves on the Ohio River in 1818—both opened areas for settlers near Cincinnati in the Northwest Territory.

In April 1861, when the Union needed a large recruitment and training site near Cincinnati, the Homestead provided the land. Join us to hear the story of Camp Dennison, past and present, and of the General who chose it.