Finding aid for the Zoar, Ohio/Florence Kathrein Collection

History of Zoar, Ohio

The Society of Separatists of Zoar arrived in the United States in 1817 after fleeing their homeland of Wurttemberg, Germany in search of religious freedom. On August 14, 1817 they landed in Philadelphia where they were befriended by the Quakers and bought the 5,500-acre tract of land on the east bank of the Tuscarawas River that would soon be the Zoar settlement. In the fall of 1817 the Separatist leader, Joseph Baumeler (later changed to Bimeler), and some other members left for to prepare their new home. On December 1, 1817, the first home was completed. The Separatists wanted to create a self-sufficient community where they would be able to worship freely, but an economic system had to be established. Johannes Breymaier advocated a form of communism that was accepted by most of the member. Both male and female members of the community signed the Articles of Association, which created the Society of Separatists of Zoar, on April 15, 1819. The Articles were revised in 1824 and in 1833 a constitution was announced. It stated the government of the society would be a board of three trustees, a standing committee of five, an agent general, and a cashier. The Society was contracted to dig seven miles of the Ohio-Erie Canal, which passed through their land. Their work was completed in 1828 for $21,000 and allowed the Society to pay off its land debt. The canal essentially opened the area for commerce and at one time, the Society operated as many as four canal boats. Zoar was almost totally self sufficient, and excesses were sold to outsiders. In 1884 Zoar was incorporated as a village with an elected municipal administration. The society administration continued to function and those officers were usually the same as the village. The society started to wane in productivity after Bimeler's death in 1853 and dissent arose toward the end of the 19th century. Part of the problem was that nonmembers were being hired to work in the fields and in various industries, and older members felt their presence had an adverse affect on the young Separatists. On March Today, Zoar a community of approximately 75 families living in houses built from 1817 to the present. The 12 block historic district is unique in that it remains a living part of the community. The Ohio Historical Society maintains many of the buildings as museums, but the remainder is primarily comprised of restored residences. Many of these residences contain home occupations much like in the Zoarites's era. 10, 1898 the formal decision to dissolve the society was made at a meeting of the members. The final settlement for members was they were able to keep their clothing, personal items and their home in the village. They also received about fifty acres of land and a $200 cash dividend. The collapse of the society also meant the end of the Separatist religion.

Scope and Content

This collection contains 38 photographic prints and postcards that were taken by Florence Kathrein (the great-aunt of the donor's husband) when visiting Zoar, Ohio during the Summers of 1915-1920. Included are images of the Zoar depot, family portraits, people posing in a canoe on the Tuscarawas river, John Frogner farming with a horse-drawn plow, and girls playing tennis in the Summer of 1915. Also included are the Zoar hotel, Zoar's Main Street, Residence no. 1, the Hermitage, Christina Peterman's tomb stone, John Ruof's home, and an aerial view of Zoar. Among the people identified are Emma Frogner, Ella Koppel, Rose and Florence Kathrein, the Koppel family, the Sturm family, the Ruof family, Richard and Alameda Beiter, and Edna Bimeler.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Use

This collection is available for the purpose of research. Consideration of all other copyrights is the responsibility of the author or publisher.

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Ohio Historical Society.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

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Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite Zoar, Ohio/Florence Kathrein Collection, AV 5 and the Ohio Historical Society in all footnote and bibliographic references.

Acquisition Information

Mavis Kathrein donated this collection to the Ohio Historical Society in January 2001.

Processing Information

Stacia Kuceyeski, Audiovisual Research Assistant, July 2001