Although Marietta is not the largest town in Ohio, there are still plenty of places where your inner nerd or geek can learn new and exciting things. Some places help to re-create the past, while others bring you closer to the natural world, or even help you connect with tomorrow’s science and industry. Here are a few of my favorites.
The Castle – via Google Earth (C) 2014, all rights reserved
If you’re looking for a time capsule, this little gem is one of the best in this area of Ohio. The Castle’s grounds are maintained to provide visitors with the most accurate historical and architectural representation of the Victorian Time Period in Marietta, Ohio. Visitors can experience life as a child in Victorian Ohio, learn about the complex language of fans during this time period, and even play games popular during the time period. If you’re a history buff, and you’re looking for a truly immersive experience, this is a great choice.
If history isn’t to your liking, and the ever changing natural world is, one of the best places to get outside and experience the wilderness is located in nearby Caldwell Ohio. Wolf’s Run State Park is a natural preserve where you can experience rugged valleys, ancient sandstone deposits transformed by glacial melt water streams, and some of the most prolific and variety flora and fauna in southeastern Ohio. Plants that a visitor is likely to encounter include oaks, tulip trees, maples, beeches, white ash, and cherry trees, and animals can include anything from racoons and wild turkeys, to weasels, bats, and great horned owls to name a few.
Marietta College Department of Chemistry Outreach Programs
Located in the heart of Marietta, the Marietta College Chemistry department offers a wide array of outreach programs designed to introduce and engage kids of all ages with the science and technology that is modern chemistry and how it effects the world around us. Programs such as Women in the Sciences (WITS) offer the future female sciences the chance to work in a real world setting taking water samples and doing water analysis, and during National Chemistry Week, local businesses and industries join forces with the college to show students exactly why science is such an integral part of our daily lives. Finally, since there is always a little bit of magic in the world of science and technology, the faculty and students of the Marietta College chemistry department perform annual magic shows that not only amaze, but teach some valuable science.
These are just a few of the many different places and events around Marietta Ohio where you, as a certified geek or nerd can find out new things, and possibly meet new friends. Which ones have I missed? Would love to hear in the comments below!