Belmont County Heritage Museum

08/31/2026

There are some moments when a project suddenly feels very real. This is one of them. ❤️

The bronze sculpture and bench honoring Dr. John Mattox have been installed outside the Black Horse Inn in Morristown, future home of the Underground Railroad Experience at the Black Horse Inn, and seeing him there is even more meaningful than we imagined!

Dr. Mattox was more than a historian. He was a storyteller, educator, community leader and advocate who dedicated his life to preserving the stories of freedom seekers who traveled through Belmont County and the courageous people who helped them along their journey to freedom.

His impact on Belmont County is immeasurable.

Since 2019, the Belmont County Tourism Council has proudly honored his legacy through the annual Mattox Award, recognizing a Tourism Champion of the Year whose dedication and service have made a lasting contribution to our county. It is one small way we have worked to ensure that the values Dr. Mattox embodied: passion, preservation, education and service to community, continue to inspire others.

Now, his presence will welcome visitors to a place that carries forward so much of the work he devoted his life to.

Soon, visitors will be able to take a seat beside Dr. Mattox, reflect on the stories he worked tirelessly to preserve, and perhaps leave inspired to keep telling them.

We think he would be proud of what is taking shape here.

We can’t wait for you to see it.❤️Mark your calendars for the Underground Railroad Experience ribbon cutting on Friday, November 13th!

08/29/2026

Meet the staff of Martin’s Restaurant on May 9, 1940. Martin’s was located in the Clarendon Hotel which was built in 1890. The driver of the stage in the old days would blow a trumpet to designate how many there would be for supper to the owner of the hotel.

From Reflections of St. Clairsville, Ohio

08/28/2026

Great interview with Tom McCort! Going back in time is important, so we can see all the progress being made now. And to think that the Underground Railroad Museum will be opening soon at the Black Horse Inn.

Interview with Former Sheriff Tom McCort about the Blackhorse Inn i...

08/28/2026

The Museum’s Framed Photo of the Saint Clairsville Class of 1957.

Do you know someone in this Class? Share Below!

08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day (a day late) to all Dogs everywhere & especially to Jersey who is Belmont County’s Therapy K-9 at the courthouse!

She serves as a courtroom K-9, primarily easing stress for child victims, trauma survivors, and witnesses during difficult legal proceedings.

Handler: Jersey is handled and owned by Sheriff's Deputy Jennifer Yuhase.

🐾❤️🇺🇸⭐️

08/27/2026

Josiah Fox resident of Colerain in Belmont County, Ohio was a Naval Architect that designed the USS Constitution.

The USS Constitution or Old Ironsides is the oldest warship afloat in the world.

Old Ironsides remains an active duty US Navy Ship crewed by active duty sailors.

The Ship earned her legendary status by defeating multiple British warships during The Battle of 1812.

And just recently, on August 21, 2026 during a special underway sailing in Boston Harbor, the USS Constitution made history when she was designated a Purple Heart ship honoring her historic sacrifices of her past crews and her 200 + legacy directly to generations of American service members wounded or killed in action.

Old Ironside’s home port is in Massachusetts at Charleston Navy Yard.

Josiah Fox, an English born naval architect immigrated to the US in 1793 and helped design the USS Constitution and went on to independently design several other famous early American warships. Fox was a Quaker & his work on warships caused him to be disowned by his local religious meeting, however following the War of 1812, he was fully restored in good faith to the Quaker religion. After retiring from Naval architecture, he moved his family to a farm in Colerain, Ohio & upon his death in 1847 was buried in the cemetery directly adjoining the Concord Meeting House.

Note: The Fox Family also had a house along the National Road just west of STC. A historic sign has been posted in front of the house.

Have you visited the historic Concord meeting house in Colerain? Or admired the the Fox Family House along National Road?



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08/25/2026

“This is kind of like a second state to us, because many of my family live in Ohio.”

You’ll always be in our hearts Dolly. 💗

08/22/2026

Found in the Archives - Check out this 2004 video of the Belmont County Jail that is connected to The Belmont County Heritage Museum.

In 2004 we were invited to an exclusive tour of the former jail in ...

08/22/2026

The Belmont County Heritage Museum in STC is open on this gorgeous Saturday until 2 - if you’re out and about - stop in. 😁

08/21/2026

Flint officially became Ohio’s gemstone in 1965 due to its historical and aesthetic value.

Prehistoric Native Americans extensively quarried this colorful material trading it across North America.

For over a span of 12,000 years!, flint was the lifeblood of their technology, survival and continental trade networks.

The recent historic tribes of the early 1600 -1700’s - Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware and Miami still relied on flint for fire starting, tools and fi****ms until European expansion disrupted their societies. By the 1700’s stone arrowheads were switched out with guns or arrow tips dipped in recycled metals.

These projectile points and more are on display collected by the late Robert Hammond Jr. found in the early 1900’s on a farm near STC. He uncovered them over many years walking behind a horse drawn plow.

Have you ever found an arrowhead?

Or been to Flint Ridge in Ohio?

Feel free to share your experiences in the comments.