Blogs

History Hunts

Puzzle-hunting your way through local history

Do you love to play games, solve puzzles, explore, decipher codes, geocache, follow maps, hunt for treasure or learn about local history? Our History Hunts are perfect for extra credit for history class, scout troops, family fun day, team building/group dynamics, senior, and anyone who wants to have a blast!

History Hunts

Meet Horace: The Original Game

Our first-ever History Hunt game was one of several events we sponsored to commemorate Horace Greeley’s 200th birthday. It has evolved from a low-tech paper game to a web-based game to now an app-based game.

Players are led through the life and times of Horace Greeley, starting at the New Castle Historical Society (Greeley’s very own summer home), and quickly jumping out “to the field.” Be prepared to walk in and around town, follow maps, solve puzzles, and search for caches.

The game consists of nine stages and must be played sequentially, meaning that one stage leads to another. After finding and entering the correct answer, the player will only then be allowed to proceed to the next stage. The game can be completed in an afternoon (but doesn’t have to be) and is not car dependent.

“Meet Horace” is perfect for multi-generational families to play together, although it is certainly appropriate and fun for kids aged 13 and up to play by themselves (or in teams!) We think you’ll have a great time playing!

To play ‘Meet Horace’ you must download the Actiobound Free App. Once the app opens, choose “FIND A BOUND”. Choose “SEARCH” on the page that opens and type in “MEET HORACE”.

The Kipp Trip

This hunt leads players through the history of the Kipps, one of New Castle’s oldest and most prolific founding families, and their journey from the Netherlands to New Amsterdam to New Castle. Many themes in U.S. and local history are explored, including immigration, land development, religion, revolution, and industry.

Players learn about the Kipps while unraveling all sorts of riddles, completing mazes, breaking codes, solving word searches, and more (you will geocache!). Be prepared to search for clues and answers online, at the New Castle Historical Society (Greeley’s own summer home), and out-and-about in the town. You will even have to use the society archives to find what you need!

The game consists of ten stages and must be played sequentially, meaning that one stage leads to another. This game is perfect for multi-generational families to play together, although it is certainly appropriate and fun for kids aged 13 and up to play by themselves (or in teams!), although a car is required for a couple of the game stages. Have fun!  

To play “The Kipp Trip’ you must download the Actionbound FREE App. Once the app opens, choose “FIND A BOUND”. Choose “SEARCH” on the page that opens and type in “The Kipp Trip”.

Trails and Tribulations

This five-stage geocaching game is designed to take you out and about on many trails in New Castle – to places that you may not even know exist. Lest you think the game is JUST looking for containers, rest assured that you will be puzzle solving, treasure hunting, exploring, and hiking, all with a dose of local history thrown in for good measure (of course!).

“Trails and Tribulations” stages can be done in any order, except that the first four stages need to be completed to locate the fifth, and final, stage.

Families of all ages love this game. You do need a car, and probably a few afternoons to complete the game.

Are you new to geocaching? Click here for more information.