Links Home Gallery Miners Registry Blossers Blog Books and Gear Maps Visitor Guides Tours Little Cities of the Forest About Links Directory Info Tour de Forest Join Appalachian Festival Little Cities Day Voices of Little Cities Little Cities of the forest Visitor Guides
 
Heritage Tour
 
Our Heritage Theme packages features mineral extraction, labor union, ethnic and civic history of the boom-to-bust coal mining towns of the Hocking Valley known as the Little Cities of Black Diamonds.  Also featured in these experiences is consideration of how our past history instructs us today and in the future as we work to rebuild an economy and environment that was once heavily dependent on mining.  Important sites include Nelsonville, the original Little City of Black Diamonds and home to the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad and  various authentic displays of locally made brick; the Shawnee National Register Historic District, Ohio’s best standing example of boom mining town and the Shawnee Coal Museum, Robinson’s Cave, the birthplace of the United Mine Workers; Haydenville, a company town and National Register District known for its unique brick and tile architecture; Eclipse Company Town, an intact coal company town and dozens of other towns with historic sites to visit.  Local Living History characters tell the story at several locations.  Sub-theme collaboration opportunities include labor union history, coal mining, African American history, European immigration patterns, railroads, oil drilling, opera houses, brick making, and community redevelopment with heritage as a focus

Lodging and Hospitality
Little Cities Experiences has lodging arrangements available with two major lodging vendors: The Inn at Hocking College and Burr Oak Resort & Conference Center, as well as five bed and breakfasts in the area:  Hickory Hill, Wildwood Inn and Lama Farm, Fox Farm and FullBrook Lodge.  Several food caterers are available for lunches at off the beaten path sites as well as local small town diners and one gourmet restaurant, The Rhapsody, in Nelsonville.

Guides & Transportation 
Little Cities Experiences provides narrated guide services as part of its packages.  Interpretive hosts are available at many tour sites to welcome visitors.  The service has a fifteen passenger van for small group tours and will sub-contract larger or additional transport.  Step-on guides and site hosts are available to tours who wish to visit the area. 

Booking
A six week advance notice is necessary for groups wishing to arrange visits.