Muskingum County History

Muskingum County History MCH is the local historical society for Muskingum County, Ohio. We are located in the National Register Putnam Historic District of Zanesville, Ohio.
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Both of our museums, the Dr. Increase Mathews House Museum and Gardens, 304 Woodlawn Ave, and the Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum, 115 Jefferson St, are now closed for the season and will re-open in May when our hours will be Wed-Fri 1:00-4:00 and Sat 10:00-4:00. You may contact us through FB message, through our website at muskingumcountyhistory.org, by leaving a message at [email protected] or by calling our office at 740 454-9500.

This is a big day for those of you who appreciate the history of Muskingum County and Doc Mathews will be will watching ...
05/28/2026

This is a big day for those of you who appreciate the history of Muskingum County and Doc Mathews will be will watching to see what you do. Tonight at 7:00 at the Stone Academy, 115 Jefferson St, will be the initial meeting of the Local History Forum. This is your opportunity to influence the future course of the Forum - will there be formal lectures, just folks telling what they have learned from their experiences and research, visits to sites where history happened, hands-on demos, book clubs? The possibilities are endless and you can suggest topics to be covered. No admission charge, everyone is welcome.

This is also the first full day of the Ann & Janet Floating Fundraising Yard Sale. The goods will be set up at the usual end of May location on Route 40 east of town just east of Pleasant Grove Rod. Unlike the Forum, this will cost you as you make purchases that help support the work of Muskingum County History. The spirit of Doc Mathews will be there whispering "Buy more stuff" in your ear as you shop. Support the cause, spend some bucks, keep the lights on at the museums.

Older generations might have reminisced about fine dining establishments that they once enjoyed but today more attention...
05/27/2026

Older generations might have reminisced about fine dining establishments that they once enjoyed but today more attention might be given to fast food stands. This photo of the Maple Ave BBF was taken to be used in an ad in the 1970 Progress Edition of the Times Recorder.

BBF started in Columbus in 1961 and was bought by Borden in 1970 which closed their last store in 1977. In the ad we wonder if "probably" was a misprint for "proudly". If so, we hope the TR refunded part of the price.

QUIZ
What did BBF stand for? There are two correct answers.
What businesses have occupied the building to the right?
The strange satellite-thing on top of the sign was influenced by what architectural style that came out of California in the 1950s and '60s?

We have two big events this week. Thursday at 7:00 at the Stone Academy, 115 Jefferson St, we will have the first meetin...
05/26/2026

We have two big events this week. Thursday at 7:00 at the Stone Academy, 115 Jefferson St, we will have the first meeting of the Local History Forum. This will be an opportunity for everyone interested in Muskingum County history to become acquainted and make plans for future meetings. There is no charge and everyone is welcome.

Also this week will be the return of the Ann & Janet fundraising yard sale as part of the annual National Road Yard Sale. The sale will be in the usual location on the south side of Route 40 just east of Pleasant Grove Road. Everything in the sale has been donated to be sold with all proceeds going to the work of Muskingum County History. Set up will be Tuesday and Wednesday and tear down on Sunday with the bulk of sales on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 until the volunteers get tired, the rainstorms hit or you stop buying. If you keep buying, they will continue to sell. You get a bauble at a cheap price and we get to keep the lights on at our museums.

Both of these activities are ways for you to show your support of the preservation of Muskingum County's history and we hope to see you at both.

Memorial Day in 1970 occurred at a time when the country was deeply divided over the Vietnam War but we still took time ...
05/25/2026

Memorial Day in 1970 occurred at a time when the country was deeply divided over the Vietnam War but we still took time to observe the day with a rifle salute and laying of a wreath into the Muskingum River from the Y Bridge.

Memorial Day greetings. Enjoy the day but remember it is not about grilling burgers and taking a day off work, it is abo...
05/25/2026

Memorial Day greetings. Enjoy the day but remember it is not about grilling burgers and taking a day off work, it is about remembering those men and women who gave their lives to support a cause.

When you come to our museums this summer you will see two new faces. Carrie Forgacs was recently hired for the newly cre...
05/23/2026

When you come to our museums this summer you will see two new faces. Carrie Forgacs was recently hired for the newly created position of Director of Operations and Morgan West is our summer intern from Ohio University Zanesville.

Carrie brings many years experience in education, museum programming and interpretation. Recently completing her Masters in Native American Studies/Education, her passion for historical stories, artifacts, and love of learning has guided her enthusiasm to explore and share history.

Morgan is a senior history major at OUZ and a local fiber artist. She has lived in Avondale in Muskingum county most of her life and is exited to share historical methods of textile preparation such as spinning, dyeing, and knitting. In the future, Morgan plans to continue teaching history in a professional capacity. She also plans to pursue further research into women's religious communities in early Ohio settlements.

Our museums, the Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum and the Dr. Increase Mathews House Museum and Garden are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00.

LOCAL STUDENTS PLACE IN HISTORY COMPETITIONOhio History Day, a component of National History Day, was held at Capital Un...
05/22/2026

LOCAL STUDENTS PLACE IN HISTORY COMPETITION

Ohio History Day, a component of National History Day, was held at Capital University on April 18 and five Muskingum County students received honors. Local winners of the competition were:

JUNIOR GROUP PERFORMANCE
3rd Place Students: Lucille Bradford, Peyton Barr Project Title: "The Revolution, Reaction, and Reforms After the Fallout of Women's Suffrage Based on the Fifteenth Amendment" School: Tri-Valley Middle School Teacher: Molly Orr

JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTARY
3rd Place Students: Wade Jones Project Title: The Mine Wars, A Forgotten Revolution School: Dresden Elementary School Teacher: Molly Orr

SENIOR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
2nd Place Students: Greyson Hearing Project Title: Revolution on the Airwaves: Sesame Street and the Reaction to Educational Integration School: Maysville High School Teacher: Lance Mcgee

3rd Place Students: Chesney Carter Project Title: Grrrl Power to Real Power: How the Spice Girls Popularized Third Wave Feminism School: Maysville High School Teacher: Lance Mcgee

Congratulations to the winners and to the teachers who guided them. It is good to know that there is an interest in history among the students of today who in a few years will be counted upon to continue the work of local historical societies such as MCH.

Recently we received several photos from Debra Barton and this one caught our eye because even though it wasn't taken al...
05/22/2026

Recently we received several photos from Debra Barton and this one caught our eye because even though it wasn't taken all that long ago, it shows how much change has taken place in downtown Zanesville. We also have a screen shot from Google Maps for comparison. The word is changing fast, pay attention to details for everything may be different tomorrow.

At the first meeting of the MCH Local History Forum a week from today attendees will have an opportunity to get acquaint...
05/21/2026

At the first meeting of the MCH Local History Forum a week from today attendees will have an opportunity to get acquainted with other people who have an interest in Muskingum County's history and swap research notes with those who are actively engaged in researching specific areas. At this meeting the course of future meetings will be planned and some organization given to the group. The meetings will be held at the Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum, 115 Jefferson St in Zanesville at 7:00 and will be open to the public with no admission charge.

As an example of a specific area of interest, someone might know the relationship between these two photos. Do you know what it is?

During rainy spells we like to post flood photographs for perspective. Sort of like saying, "you think this is rain, THI...
05/20/2026

During rainy spells we like to post flood photographs for perspective. Sort of like saying, "you think this is rain, THIS is rain." When speaking of floods, 1913 comes to mind first but 1935 and 1937 were bad flood years, also. This photo was taken in August 1935 but we do not know the location. The sign between the second story windows on the building on the right might give a clue. Notice that although some of the boys brought out their rowboat, the water was only knee deep to a youngster.

Announcing an exciting new program to bring together all those who want to learn more about Muskingum County's history b...
05/19/2026

Announcing an exciting new program to bring together all those who want to learn more about Muskingum County's history by coming together to discuss our past and share new information gathered through research. Everyone who appreciates our local history and wants to share their knowledge with others is invited to attend. There is no admission charge. The Forum meetings will be held at the Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum, 115 Jefferson St in Zanesville's Putnam Historic District. Come and discuss history in a location where history happened.

Address

115 Jefferson Street
Zanesville, OH
43701

Opening Hours

Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17404549500

Website

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