FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUMS INC

The Friends of the Museums operate two museums: Campus Martius Museum & the Ohio River Museum.

Campus Martius Museum’s exhibits present the pivotal role of Marietta’s founding (1788) and the creation of the Northwest Territory (1787) in our nation’s history. The new territory represented the first expansion of the United States beyond the original thirteen states. Once inside the museum, you will be transported back in time to see how the Continental Congress and enterprising leaders created the new territory. Study valuable historical documents, view the remains of ancient civilizations discovered by the settlers, and learn about life in the new settlement at Marietta. The museum experience includes tours of the two oldest buildings in Ohio: The Rufus Putnam House and The Ohio Company Land Office.

The Ohio River Museums has three buildings of exhibits focus on the history of the Ohio River and its importance relating to the expansion of our country. The Golden Age of the steamboat recalls the romance and luxury as many people traveled the river in style. The river’s natural history explores the stories of the beauty and the ugliness that the inland rivers sometimes tell. Outside is the W.P. Snyder, Jr., the last of the steam-powered, stern wheeled towboats in the United States and a National Historic Landmark, the Tell City Pilot House, a flat boat reproduction, a restored shanty boat, and a series of poles showing the heights of some on the worst floods in recorded history to hit this area.