A Past Students Knew Little About Comes to Life through America 250 Project

Harmon Middle School Students Explore Pickerington History Through America 250 Project

Recently, 6th graders at Harmon Middle School presented the results of their research and creativity for the America 250 Project. Their work will be featured in the upcoming Big Road Show: Transportation Milestones That Shaped Pickerington, held in late-April at the Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Drive.

The project began when Harmon Middle School teacher Jennifer Harris connected with the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society after hearing about a similar project in a neighboring district—and soon, students were diving deep into the town’s past.

“This is the first time we’ve collaborated with 6th graders—typically we work with 3rd graders as part of their curriculum,” said the President of the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society. “We were thrilled when Jenny reached out. It was very fortuitous that we were planning for America 250 and highlighting the four types of transportation that changed Pickerington.”

A past many students knew little about quickly came to life through their work. Their focus:  Zane’s Trace, a historic 230-mile frontier road built in 1796–1797 by Colonel Ebenezer Zane. Originally only wide enough for horses and riders, the Trace connected Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), to Limestone, Kentucky, through the Northwest Territory. It helped early Ohio towns like Zanesville, Lancaster, and Chillicothe grow and laid the foundation for later roads, including the National Road.

“My team teacher and I work with the Partnership for Authentic Learning to develop projects that engage students in real work for real people,” said Harris. “Having an authentic audience changes the purpose and value of projects.”

Students brought history to life with videos, maps, and posters, while also exploring the Ohio & Erie Canal, the railroad that came through Pickerington, and the interstate highway (now I-70) that transformed the community. 

Along the way, they uncovered fascinating details: Owen Foster enjoyed creating posters, Roman Timsina brought history to life through colorful drawings, and Eli Giles was intrigued by how Zane instructed his family to dig out the Trace. Addison Ackley reflected, “Learning local history helps us understand ourselves and the place we live.” Jannate Karkoub enjoyed retracing letters and seeing everyone focused, and shared that she would tell others about Abraham Pickering and how he named Pickerington. Hayden Mackley added that being part of the Big Road Show is “pretty exciting and pretty cool,” and that learning this history helps people understand how the community was founded.

“The students learned so much about local history and transportation,” Harris said. “They also developed the skills to decide how best to share information, what engages an audience, and how to collaborate within and across groups. Team Wonder is so excited to see their efforts on display for the public to enjoy and learn from.”

Their hard work and collaboration are now part of a larger celebration of Pickerington’s transportation history—connecting the past with the present for the whole community to enjoy.

“We are so grateful that Peggy Portier from the Pickerington Historical Society allowed us to be part of the America 250 exhibit,” Harris added.

From frontier trails to modern highways, these students aren’t just learning history—they’re helping bring Pickerington’s story to life for the entire community.

The three-day exhibit, Big Road Show: Transportation Milestones That Shaped Pickerington, will take place at the Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Drive:

• April 24: 4–7 p.m.
• April 25: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• April 26: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

A LEGO display will also be part of the three-day event at the Senior Center, along with hidden Easter eggs for visitors to find.

And if you love learning about trains, hourly guided tours at the Pickerington Train Depot on Center Street will also take place on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The Depot operated from 1879 to 1958 and even welcomed Pickerington’s first automobile, owned by Dr. W.B. Taylor—“some assembly was required!” Today, the Depot is home to the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information check out the Pickerington-Violet Township website, at www.PickHistory.org, Facebook Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, email PickHistSociety@hotmail.com, or call 614-333-8951. 

Download Big Road Show: Transportation Milestones That Shaped Pickerington flyer