MARIETTA, Ohio — The Ohio History Connection, alongside the Northwest Territory Museum Society and the Washington County Public Library, broke ground on the new Ohio River Museum on April 11, 2025. The ceremony took place at the museum’s future site at 601 Front St., on the eastern bank of the Muskingum River in Marietta.
The $14.3 million, 29,000-square-foot facility will be constructed in two phases over the next two years, aiming to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century visitors. “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 manages the Ohio River Museum and the nearby Campus Martius Museum on behalf of the state, with local operations overseen by the Northwest Territory Museum Society. “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 both museums.
The previous Ohio River Museum, which opened in 1973 and closed in 2022, served the community for nearly 50 years before making way for this project. Phase 1 of construction will include the main facility, featuring the Washington County Local History & Genealogy Archive, a lobby, a gift shop, and meeting/event rooms, with an expected opening in fall 2026. Phase 2 will complete the exhibit hall, slated to open in 2027, with collections supported by the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, a longtime partner in preserving Ohio River history.
Lepi Enterprises of Zanesville is the general contractor for the project.