Art & Architecture in Historic Downtown Lancaster

A Downtown Stroll Painted in Sunshine and Stories

It’s the kind of morning that practically begs you to step outside. The breeze is soft, the sun is warm, and downtown Lancaster feels like it’s waking up with a smile. The air is scented with freshly brewed coffee and spring florals drifting from cozy cafés and tree-lined streets, while shop windows catch the golden light—reflecting a city gently shaking off winter’s slumber and embracing the promise of spring.

On days like this, Lancaster becomes more than a destination—it becomes a living canvas. One brushed with color, texture, and stories that tug at your curiosity. Whether you’re wandering with a sketchbook tucked under your arm or simply chasing that spark of inspiration, the Lancaster Art Experience Trail and the Square 13 Historic District Walking Tour invite you to explore a one-of-a-kind blend of creativity, character, and historic charm. This is where past and present meet with a smile—and every turn reveals a new story waiting to be uncovered.

An Artistic Itinerary for the Soul

The Lancaster Art Experience Trail is your ticket to creative immersion. You won’t just view art here—you’ll feel it, shape it, and maybe even take a piece of it home. Dive into the mesmerizing world of glassmaking at the Ohio Glass Museum when you sign up for a hot or fused glass class (find the schedule here), then explore the legacy of hand-painted elegance at the Gay Fad Studios Glass Museum.

Want to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? Head to Mud Gallery or Art & Clay on Main, where your own creativity is what brings the clay to life. These are places where artistic expression is more than admired—it’s encouraged.

Even kids (and the young at heart) can join the fun with interactive projects at Young at Art Studio. And when it’s time to frame up your memories, The Frame Shop has you covered. A family-owned gem for over 50 years, this creative space specializes in custom picture framing, photo restoration, and personalized laser-engraved gifts—each piece crafted with the same care and artistry that defines Lancaster’s spirit.

Feeling a little more daring? Step into MermGoddess Tattoo Studio & Gallery, a woman-owned studio where creativity takes on bold, colorful forms. In addition to the stunning body art, the gallery features unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else—a celebration of self-expression in its most vivid form.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a hands-on maker, or simply someone chasing a spark of inspiration, there’s something uniquely fulfilling about exploring a place where creativity flows like spring rain—and where the memories you make can come home with you in the form of a one-of-a-kind creation.

Step Back in Time: Square 13 and the Architecture of Ambition

Just a few blocks away, you’ll find a neighborhood that’s less of a detour and more of a time machine. Welcome to the Square 13 Historic District—a lovingly preserved

block listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and one of the finest concentrations of 19th-century architecture in the nation. If downtown Lancaster is a canvas,

then Square 13 is the masterwork—rich in character, layered with stories, and framed by centuries of architectural artistry.

This is more than just a walking tour—it’s a visual love letter to Lancaster’s past. As you wander, you’ll encounter sandstone retaining walls that stand strong against the passage of time, iron fences forged in early foundries, and woodcarved fanlights and columns crafted by skilled hands. The double stone steps, intricate woodwork in entryways, and graceful fanlights once welcomed guests into grand parlors—they’re not just decorative touches, but historical fingerprints left behind by the artisans who helped shape this town into the vibrant community it is today.

Wander through more than a dozen styles of architecture as you make your way past stately homes and beautifully preserved businesses. Many of the homes were built by craftspeople invited here by the Zane family themselves when they laid out the town of New Lancaster in 1800. These streets, these buildings, this entire district… it was all designed to impress—and it still does. Whether you’re a true historian, an architecture enthusiast, or someone who just loves a good walk, Square 13 delivers with both style and story.

Among the 34 stops along the walking tour, a few standout landmarks deserve a lingering look:

• The Georgian Museum (105 E Wheeling St.) – A Federal-style gem that offers a window into the lives of Lancaster’s early movers and shakers. Its symmetrical facade, brick exterior, and delicately detailed doorway speak to the elegance of the era.

The Ewing-Kirn Home (163 E Main St.) – Built in 1824 for Thomas Ewing, this elegant Federal-style home features a grand doorway with an elliptical fanlight, a Palladian window above, and a semi-circular window in the pediment. A sandstone wall and graceful entranceway add to its stately charm. Ewing, a U.S. Senator and the first Secretary of the Interior, raised young William Tecumseh Sherman here—who would later become one of the Civil War’s most famous generals.

St. John’s Episcopal Church (134 N. Broad Street) – Modeled after St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, this 1848 Tudor-Gothic Revival church impresses with hand-molded brick walls, octagonal towers, Tudor arches, and delicate stone carvings. Just beyond the striking facade, the garden courtyard offers a hidden pocket of calm—perfect for catching your breath between adventures.

Reese-Peters House and Saylor House (145 E. Main Street) – Perched atop a hand-built sandstone terrace, the 1835

Reese-Peters House whispers of old-world craftsmanship, with its carved Corinthian columns and a spiral staircase once lit by a glass belvedere. Behind it, the 1790s Saylor House stands as one of the earliest surviving brick homes in the county, with hand-blown windows and a primitive fireplace that tell stories of Lancaster’s frontier days. Together, these two homes span centuries of history, now serving as the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio—where the past and present connect through beauty, art, and the legacy of one of Ohio’s most distinguished families.

What sets Square 13 apart isn’t just the styles—though you’ll spot everything from Victorian flourishes to Italianate elegance—it’s the way each home and building tells a story of Lancaster’s ambition, artistry, and industrious spirit.

Inspired by the Past, Created in the Present

Whether you’re glazing a keepsake mug, admiring the etched elegance of vintage glassware, or pausing to snap a photo of a stunning doorway framed by dogwood blooms, this is spring in Lancaster—an experience that invites exploration, inspires curiosity, and offers something beautiful at every turn.

So, come ready to learn, create, and connect. This isn’t just a day trip. It’s a journey into the artistic and architectural soul of Fairfield County, where every sidewalk and studio opens a door to the extraordinary.

And if you’re not sure where to begin, we’ll make it easy:
Download the Visit Fairfield County App to access trail maps, check-ins, audio tours, and more.
Visit the VFC Visitors Center for local advice and a Square 13 brochure that will guide your next steps.