Ground-Breaking Held For New Ohio River Museum

Article Presented By Rathkamp Financial…

(Marietta) – The Ohio History Connection and its partners – including the Northwest Territory Museum Society and the Washington County Public Library – held a ground-breaking ceremony April 11th for the new Ohio River Museum at 601 Front Street on the eastern bank of the Muskingum River.

The $14.3 million, 29,000-square-foot facility will be constructed in two phases over the next two years. It is intended to meet the changing needs of visitors in the 21st century.

“This new museum will engage visitors in the history of the Ohio River and its importance to Ohio statehood, economic development and culture,” said Megan Wood, Executive Director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection.

The Ohio History Connection oversees the Ohio River Museum and Campus Martius Museum in Marietta on behalf of the state, which owns the sites. These museums are managed locally by the Northwest Territory Museum Society on behalf of the Ohio History Connection.

“The new Ohio River Museum will serve as a hub for river-connected stories across time to the benefit of the local and regional community,” said Erin Augenstein, Executive Director of the Ohio River and Campus Martius museums.

The previous Ohio River Museum served the community for almost 50 years. It opened in 1973 and closed in 2022 to make way for the two phases of the construction project.

Phase 1 for the new museum will involve completion of the main facility, which is expected to open in fall 2026. This phase will include the Washington County Local History & Genealogy Archive and the museum’s public amenities, such as the lobby, a gift shop and meeting/event rooms.

Phase 2 will include completion of the museum’s exhibit hall, which is expected to open in 2027.

The Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen organization is instrumental in providing collections items for the exhibit hall.

“The Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen is our long and ongoing partner in telling the story of life on the Ohio River,” Wood said.

The general contractor for the project is Lepi Enterprises of Zanesville.

For more information about the Ohio River Museum, go to ohiohistory.org/visit/browse-historical-sites/ohio-river-museum and mariettamuseums.org/ohio-river-museum.