Spirits of the past

Walking Tours: September 10th, 11th, & 12th from 7pm-9pm
ADA accessible performance:
September 13th at 3pm

A Family Friendly Guided Walk Through Medina’s History

Step back in time and experience the lives and legends of Medina’s early pioneers.
Join us for a 60-minute guided walking** tour around Medina’s Historic Square, where history comes to life through engaging reenactments by talented local actors. Along the route, you'll encounter powerful portrayals of true stories, unforgettable characters, and key moments that shaped our community.
**A special ADA accessible performance is available.

For thirty years, Medina's "Spirits of the Past" has been cooperatively staged by the Medina County Show Biz Company, The Medina County Arts Council, and the Medina County Historical Society. This 60 minute guided walk around Medina's Historic Square shares stories about the lives of Medina's pioneers with dramatic reenactments performed by local actors.

WALKING TOUR

🗓️ DATES & TIMES

Thursday, September 10th
Friday, September 11th,
Saturday, September 12th

7:00pm - 9:00pm
Groups of approximately 20 people will depart every 10 minutes starting daily at 7pm with last tour departing at 9pm (Please note: this is a walking tour with limited or no opportunities to sit or rest.)

📍 WALKING TOUR LOCATION

Check-in & Tour Start:

Behind the Medina County Administration Building (144 N. Broadway Street, Medina)
To assure the tour departs on time, please arrive 10-15 minutes before to check-in and gather your group.

🎟️ WALKING TOUR TICKETS (see below for sale dates/times)

Adults (12+) $8 | Students $4 | Under 3 Free

Each time slot is limited to 20 tickets.
10 tickets per time slot will be available during the pre-sale (online & in person) , and 10 tickets per time slot will be held for day-of sales at the event.


ADA-ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE

🗓️ DATE & TIME
September 13 at 3:00 PM


📍 ADA-ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE LOCATION
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (317 E Liberty St, Medina 44256)

🎟️ ADA-ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE TICKETS (see below for sale dates/times)
Adults (12+) $9 | Students $5 | Under 3 Free
(Seated indoor performance; tickets are limited)

Advance Ticket (Pre-sale) Dates:

🏛️ In-Person

at John Smart House Museum (206 N. Elmwood, Medina 44256)

  • Saturday, Aug. 15th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

  • Saturday, Sept. 5th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

  • Sunday, Sept. 6th from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

  • Tuesday, Sept. 8th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

  • Wednesday, Sept.9th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

  • Thursday, Sept.10th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
    (Please pay by cash or check to “Medina County Arts Council”)

    💻 Online

August 17th until September 2nd
https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/medinacountyartscouncil/Spirits2026

(Limited to 10 tickets per tour time slot for Walking Tour)

🎫 DAY-OF TICKETS

9/10-9/12 Walking Tours: 6 to 8:30pm on the evening of each tour, directly behind the Medina County Administration Building where tour begins
9/13 ADA performance: 2 - 3pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Collaboration between Medina County Historical Society, Medina Show Biz Company, and Medina County Arts Council.

Become a Spirits of the Past Sponsor Today!

Your contribution to MCAC supports our mission and builds opportunities for Medina County’s artists and creative communities. There is no amount too small or too large. Every donation we receive goes to help fulfill our mission. We welcome gifts of any amount, and we have five tiers with varying perks to make your giving experience easy and convenient!


Spirits of the Past 2022

 Walk into history, for a fun evening of stories about early pioneers and historical events from Medina’s past with a guided tour around Medina’s Historic Square. At different locations around the Square, you will hear stories about the events and lives of Medina's pioneers with dramatic reenactments performed by local actors. For more than two decades, Medina's "Spirits of the Past" has been cooperatively staged by the Medina County Show Biz Company, The Medina County Arts Council, and the Medina County Historical Society. 

note: 2020 sHOW cancelled due to the pandemic

Spirits of the Past 2021

Thank you to our guests and partners at Medina Show Biz and the Medina County Historical Society for an enjoyable tour of Medina’s historic past with the 25th Anniversary presentation of Spirits of the Past guided walking tours on Sept. 9-11 and special closing day program on Sunday, Sept. 12 held at Miss Molly’s Tea Room, where audiences Dine with the Spirits and watch historical reenactments while enjoying a great meal. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 show was cancelled, so it was good to be back.

2021 Spirits of the Past cast: First row: Kelsey Merison, Kim Oliver, Angela Wunderle, and Linda Stalvey; second row: Charles Ramer and Anthony Fleece; third row kneeling: Joe Boyle, and Rose Gabriele; and fourth row: Gary Linden, Germaine Wilson, Lincoln Marks, Kelsey Keys, and Aidan Haggard.

Spirits of the Past 2019

For the 24th year, Medina County Show Biz Co., Medina County Historical Society and Medina County Arts Council (MCAC) collaborated to bring another successful ‘Walk into History: Spirits of the Past’ program to life. The event, held Sept. 5-8, attracted 600 attendees and included vibrant historical reenactments based on pioneers and events from Medina County’s rich past.

MCAC promoted the event, featuring actors stationed in locations on and nearby the Medina Square. Medina Show Biz auditioned and directed the actors, who read scripts written by Medina County Historical Society. Performances were conducted near the exact spots where the real-life events took place.

A special closing day program was also held at Miss Molly’s Tea Room, where audiences watched historical reenactments while enjoying a great meal.

Spirits of the Past 2018

Spirits of the Past 2016

Spirits of the Past 2014

2014 "Spirits of the Past" Photos by Sarabeth Clarke

Spirits of the Past 2017

2017 WALK WITH SPIRITS OF THE PAST returned to Public Square Sept. 7, 8 & 9, 2017 with six stories about Medina's history.  The history walk offered dramatized scenes featuring important characters from local history performed by Medina Show Biz.

Spirits of the Past 2015

Spirits of the Past 2013