Fayette County Ohio Historical Society

Fayette County Ohio Historical Society Fayette County Museum

Pioneers, Patriots, and Pillars”Mr. Edwin Eldridge “Ned”Cleaveland:Born in 1869, the somewhat lesser-known artistic brot...
09/01/2026

Pioneers, Patriots, and Pillars”

Mr. Edwin Eldridge “Ned”Cleaveland:

Born in 1869, the somewhat lesser-known artistic brother of younger sister Bess, Ned was known to draw a fine line between politics and humor.
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The popular annual Historic Cemetery Tour will be held on Saturday, September 26th between the hours of 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This year’s tour will include 12 new identities and their stories at both The Washington Cemetery and St. Coleman’s Catholic Cemetery. Tickets are $12.00 per adult (if purchased prior to the day of the event), or $15.00 if purchased at the event. Children 10 and under are free w/ an accompanying adult purchase. Tickets can be purchased during open museum hours, thru the QR code found in the bottom left corner upon the physical signs posted at various businesses in town or that of the digital placard on our social media outlets, by leaving a message at the museum’s phone # (740) 335-2953, or leaving a DM upon our FB page.

Be sure to visit “Pioneers, Patriots, and Pillars” to learn more about this extraordinary Fayette County citizen on Saturday, September 26th!

September is a big month for YOUR Fayette County Historical Society!First, it marks the final month of our 2026 season w...
08/31/2026

September is a big month for YOUR Fayette County Historical Society!

First, it marks the final month of our 2026 season with only eight (8) more weekend opportunities to visit the Madeline and Morris Sharp House: Saturday & Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM through the end of the month.

Weekends make it difficult to visit? Would you like to see the museum in the evening hours? The FCHS and Sharp House Museum will be open on back to back evenings on Thursday, September 10th and Friday, September 11th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM as it participates in the statewide Open Doors campaign.

Finally, the popular annual Historic Cemetery Tour will be held on Saturday, September 26th between the hours of 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This year’s tour will include 12 new identities and their stories at both The Washington Cemetery and St. Coleman’s Catholic Cemetery. Tickets are $12.00 per adult (if purchased prior to the day of the event), or $15.00 if purchased at the event. Children 10 and under are free w/ an accompanying adult purchase. Tickets can be purchased during open museum hours, thru the QR code found in the bottom left corner upon the physical signs posted at various businesses in town or that of the digital placard on our social media outlets, by leaving a message at the museum’s phone # (740) 335-2953, or leaving a DM upon our FB page.

We look forward to seeing you at any or all of these September events!

08/31/2026

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — The Fayette County Historical Society will join statewide heritage efforts in September by hosting special evening tours at the Fayette County Museum as part of Ohio Open Doors.

07/22/2026

In what year was the very first fair held on the present grounds in Fayette County?

A. 1866
B. 1876
C. 1886
D. 1896

Solomon’s Temple—Did you know that Solomon’s Temple once resided within the confines of Washington Court House?No, not t...
07/21/2026

Solomon’s Temple—

Did you know that Solomon’s Temple once resided within the confines of Washington Court House?

No, not the biblical one in Jerusalem. This one stood on the property that was once Dairy Queen (see photo) on Columbus Avenue.

Erected by Mr. Solomon Johnson, a carpet weaver, a raised platform was constructed to afford his family a space to view baseball games being played on the grounds of the original fairgrounds in Fayette County. Refusing to pay the 25 cents per person entry fee, this solved the problem so well that friends and neighbors began paying a lesser charge, between a dime and .15 cents, to attend the viewing stands.

Did you know that the original fairgrounds of Fayette County, Ohio existed in “the woods” off the tract of land bordered...
07/20/2026

Did you know that the original fairgrounds of Fayette County, Ohio existed in “the woods” off the tract of land bordered by Columbus Avenue and Willard Street? The fair grew modestly during its 26 year existence (1846 - 1872) in this location.

An 80 x 100 foot diameter roundhouse was eventually constructed off of Columbus Avenue, holding nearly all exhibits, from livestock to baked goods.

Abandoned in 1872, the tract of land’s constructed buildings were either sold at auction and/or razed.

Over the next 14 years, Fayette County held no fairs; the present site opened in 1886.

The photo depicts a fair scene believed to be from the original fairgrounds.

Be certain to stop in and say, “Hi.” Check out our interesting display of school photographs and artifacts of a bygone ...
07/18/2026

Be certain to stop in and say, “Hi.”

Check out our interesting display of school photographs and artifacts of a bygone era in education—no whiteboards or Smartboards, no Chromebooks — just textbooks and slate boards and a thing called “chalk.”

We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Fayette County Fair!

In his farewell address, President Washington — for whom our great city is named — said this:
07/04/2026

In his farewell address, President Washington — for whom our great city is named — said this:

From all of the trustees of your Fayette County Historical Society, we wish you and your family a safe and Happy 4th of ...
07/04/2026

From all of the trustees of your Fayette County Historical Society, we wish you and your family a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Address

517 Columbus Avenue, Washington Court
Washington Court House, OH
43160

Opening Hours

Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

(740) 335-2953

Website

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