Ohio County Launches Free Historical Passport Program

A new passport program in Trumbull County, Ohio is turning history exploration into a treasure hunt that anyone can join for free.

"This Is Trumbull: A Local History Adventure" invites residents to visit 34 historic sites scattered across the county, from Civil War monuments in small towns to museums in larger cities. The program, created by the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau and local historical societies, removes the usual barriers that keep people from exploring their own region.

Savannah Moss, collections manager at the Trumbull County Historical Society, spent months designing a system that works around limited museum hours and admission fees. Her clever solution puts all the answers to passport questions on outdoor signage marked with Ohio's America250 logo.

"We wanted it to be something where people didn't have to pay an admission fee as well as not have to struggle with all the open hours," Moss said. Participants can complete their passports any time of day or night without stepping inside a single building.

The program intentionally skips well-known downtown destinations in favor of hidden gems across the entire county. Monument Park in downtown Warren didn't make the cut, but Civil War monuments in tiny Southington and Bristolville did.

Moss made sure the answers couldn't be googled from a couch. "We really wanted to make it where people had to go," she said, encouraging residents to venture beyond their usual neighborhoods.

The Ripple Effect

The passport program does more than check off tourist stops. It's reconnecting people with their own communities in an age when many residents stick to familiar corners of their county.

A companion website at theclio.com offers detailed information about each location with text-to-speech audio and downloadable maps with directions. The accessibility features ensure everyone can participate, regardless of reading ability or mobility.

Free passports are available at the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau and Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. Everyone who completes the program and answers correctly gets entered into a December raffle for gift baskets from Peter Allen Inn and the End of the Commons General Store.

The timing aligns perfectly with America's 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026, but Moss hopes the impact lasts longer. She's seen how personal family history sparks curiosity that grows into regional pride and deeper community connections.

Residents have until early December to complete their passports, giving them months to explore at their own pace and rediscover the stories hiding in plain sight.