We welcome good news since the Columbus MetroParks will no longer
allow letterboxes. But what areas do the Ohio Historical Society own
and run? Is there a web site? -Rose

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, lizardloversbox@... wrote:
>
> Good news for Ohio boxers: The Ohio Historical Society encourages
boxes to
> be hidden in areas owned and run by the Ohio Historical Society.
They are
> looking for ways to encourage people to visit their sites. Maybe
this will
> make up for the problem with the park system.
> Helena
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Here's the detail...

The following article appeared in this month's issue of Echoes, the
newsletter of Ohio Historical Society. After reading this article I
emailed them to inquire about Letterboxing and the reply was that "We
are currently finalizing our geocaching program. We are aware of
letterboxing and feel that this could fall under the same parameters.
Please revisit our website after May 15 for information and to
download an application."

Their web site is at .

Be aware, though, that this week OHS's web site has been down while
they install some new systems.

___

OHS Sites Seek Geocachers

Starting in May, 12 Ohio Historical Society sites will become more
than just destinations for history lovers - they will be targets for
geocachers as well.

Geocaching is a combination of a treasure hunt and a hike that
requires the use of a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. While
some people define it as a sport and others as a hobby, it is an
activity that can be enjoyed individually or with groups of family and
friends.

Todd Tucky, the Society's information systems manager, has been
involved in geocaching for two years. Last year, he introduced
geocaching to his wife Mimi and children, Hannah, 10, Ethan 8, and
Emma, S, and it quickly evolved into a regular family activity.

"For me, it's the thrill of the hunt and the beauty of the outdoors,"
Tucky said. "For the kids, they love the technology and take turns
holding the GPS receiver. They also enjoy looking when I we get close
to the cache."

The objective of geocaching is to locate hidden "caches" using GPS
technology and a little sleuthing. A cache is a waterproof box that
contains a log book for all successful searchers to sign and a few
small trinkets like foreign currency, small rubber animals and toy
action figures that geocachers can exchange with each other.

The geocaching craze has been gaining in popularity in the United
States and around the world since 2000 when the U.S. Government opened
up GPS satellite technology to civilians. The GPS uses longitude and
latitude coordinates to pinpoint the exact position of hand-held GPS
receivers. Geocachers begin their search for caches at the
Web site where they can find the coordinates of
caches in specific areas defined by ZIP : codes or large cities.

Society staff became aware ~ of the popularity of geo- caching about
three years ago.

"We had a lot of people e-mail us and ask about putting caches on our
sites," said Erin Bartlett, community and support services
coordinator. "As we received more and more inquiries, we decided to
get more proactive and investigate the possibility of placing some
caches of our own."

In late 2005, OHS formed a geocaching committee to develop a policy
and plan for the activity at OHS sites. Geocaching will be allowed a
only in nonsensitive areas of OHS sites where archaeological,
historical or ecological areas will not be disturbed. It also details
rules for the placement of outside caches on Society property. Caches
will be placed at Adena Mansion & Gardens, Armstrong Air & Space
Museum, Cedar Bog, Flint Ridge, Fort Ancient, Fort Meigs, National
Road/Zane Grey Museum, Ohio Historical Center, Piqua Historical Area,
Serpent Mound, Wahkeena Preserve and Youngstown Historical Center.

Another way to combine interest in geocaching and history is through
waymarking. Waymarkers find Ohio Historical Markers by using latitude
and longitude instead of street addresses, and then collect and store
the coordinates in handheld GPS units to prove they have visited the
locations. Longitude and latitude coordinates for many Ohio Historical
Markers are available on the Remarkable Ohio Web site at
www.remarkableohio.org. Geocachers interested in leaving caches at
Ohio Historical Markers must contact each marker's local sponsors for
permission. A list of sponsors for each marker is found on Remarkable
Ohio.

For OHS, getting into the geocaching craze presents an opportunity to
get more people interested in history.

"I think it's going to bring in a whole new dynamic of visitors,"
Bartlett said. "We're going to attract people who have never visited
our sites before and hopefully they'll gain a deeper appreciation of
Ohio history after their visit."

For more information about geocaching at Ohio Historical Society
sites, visit our geocaching Web page at .