Museum Mania along America's Byway

About the Sampler

Estimated Time: Make a day of it!
Travel Components: America's Byway
Special Interest: Art & History
Starting Point: Stark County
Ending Point: Stark County
Cost: Museum fees ($4–5 person)
Submitted By: Todd Clark, Historic Programmer/Naturalist, Stark Parks
Connie Rubin, Public Relations/Grants, Stark Parks

A pleasurable day’s worth of opportunities abound to explore culture and history where America’s Byway meets the Lincoln Highway. History buffs and art aficionados will have an especially enjoyable time, as a memorable drive along two of Stark County’s historic routes brings you to great venues along the Canalway.

Step by Step

America’s Byway and Lincoln Highway

Begin your adventure of America’s Byway on Route 21 heading toward Massillon where it intersects the route of the Lincoln Highway at Lincoln Way (Rte. 172). The Lillian Gish Boulevard S.W. exit connects you to Lincoln Way and the heart of the downtown Massillon business district. Turn right onto Lincoln Way, but don’t go too far just yet …

The Massillon Museum

Look for the Massillon Museum on your right on Lincoln Way East. Find parking on the nearby streets and prepare to peruse rotating exhibits from the museum’s collection of more than 100,000 artifacts. After visiting the museum, cross over 1st Street for a tasty treat at Liebermann’s Bakery, where local favorites include brownies, smiley face cookies and maple cream sticks!

Once you’ve filled up and are ready to go, explore the surrounding neighborhood. Nearby attractions include the Lions Lincoln Theater, Massillon Public Library, Ohio Military Museum and myriad murals and eclectic shops hidden amongst the downtown buildings.

On the road again — to Spring Hill

Once you’ve taken in the sights downtown, take to the road again and travel east along Lincoln Way until you reach Wales Avenue (Rte. 241). Turn left on Wales and follow the route north until you reach the Spring Hill Historic Home. Spring Hill is the historic home of the Rotch-Wales families, who were strong supporters of the abolitionist movement and opened their home to runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad.

Heading to the Exploration Gateway

Upon leaving the Spring Hill Historic Home, return the way you came along Wales to the first traffic light at Hankins Street. Turn left on Hankins and follow the America’s Byway signage east to the Stark County Park District’s Sippo Lake Park. Located on the northern shores of Sippo Lake sits the Exploration Gateway and the Congressman Ralph Regula Canalway Center. Inside the Canalway Center, explore the history of the Ohio & Erie Canal in Stark County through interactive exhibits focusing on early Ohio, Stark County’s industrial growth and development, and the relationship of Stark Parks to the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. Spend some time overlooking the beautiful 97-acre Sippo Lake with a relaxing stroll on the park’s family-friendly trails

Continue on to Canton

Continue along 12th Street toward downtown Canton, where a special branch of the America's Byway will take you near a variety of museums, including the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, Professional Football Hall of Fame, Canton Museum of Art, First Ladies National Historic Site, Canton Classic Car Museum.

Traveler's Tips

Make sure to check calendars and operating hours of each planned stop to ensure the location will be open, and to take advantage of any special exhibits or events that may be taking place.
Don't want to feel rushed? Consider spending the night in Massillon on Canton so you can take full advantage of all this branch of America's Byway has to offer. There are many local eateries and cultural spots to fill out your trip.

Museum Mania Along America's Byway

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cleveland/cuyahoga county

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