Muskingum County History

06/18/2026

The Zane's Trace Commemoration returns to the Putnam Historic District this weekend and for the next few days we will be posting photos from the 1986 ZTC. Most of the photos are not labeled and we will just go with a random selection. Be sure to comment and let us know if you see friends or even yourself.

The Stone Academy will have special hours for the Commemoration with no admission charge. Hours will be Friday 10:00-5:00 and Saturday following the parade-7:00. We will be closed on Sunday. We will have some Zane's Trace Commemoration historic memorabilia for sale (all duplicates of items in our permanent collection) and an exhibit of artifacts recovered from the site of the historic Brown's Tavern which was on the Trace.

06/17/2026

Occasionally we come to you asking for a little financial support so that we can keep the lights on and you might be wondering just where that money goes. This morning gave us two good examples.
Some slates had become dislodged on the roof of the Stone Academy and had to be put back where they belong. At the same time, Seward Plumbing sent two trucks (two trucks is a bad sign) to repair damaged ductwork and a damages furnace. Some of the ductwork had been damaged by raccoons a few years ago and a groundhog had taken up residence in the furnace this year. The groundhog has since shuffled off his mortal coil and steps are being taken to see that his kin do not gather in the basement to mourn his passing. From roof to basement there is no end to maintenance needed on a 217-year-old building.

06/15/2026

The Zanesville Times Recorder comes through again to help us publicize another program in our series celebrating America's 250th birthday. If you have children or grandchildren, check this out.

A first-person James Madison interpreter will lead a kids story hour June 17 at John McIntire Library.

06/15/2026

Thanks to Rita Ogg for giving us the location of the Chandlersville Presbyterian church shown in yesterday's post. This photo is also from January 1949 and the original caption in the Sunday Times Signal read, "Chandlersville Town and Country store recently sold by Frank Felton to Carey Reed."

06/14/2026

When this photo of the Chandlersville Presbyterian Church was used to illustrate a Norris Schneider article in January 1949, Mr. Schneider wrote in one place that the church was established in 1884 and in another part of the article he said it started in 1844. A newspaper article in 1914 said the church was established in 1814 and that its first building was erected in "1829 or 30." Given the style of construction, we are going with 1829 or 1830. We could not find references to the church past the 1960s. Is the church or its building still around?

06/13/2026

Thanks to the Zanesville Times Recorder for this article about our history day camp. It is still a month away but slots are filling up so don't delay in signing up your kids.

A Zanesville history camp offers elementary students hands-on lessons in local heritage, crafts, and games this July. See link below ⬇️

📸 Chris Crook/Times Recorder

06/12/2026

Our history day camp for the young folk will be July 20-23 and that is followed by something for the ladies - Tulips and Tea on July 26. Call the number on the flier for more information and to reserve a spot.

06/11/2026

When you visit the Dr. Increase Mathews House Museum and Gardens you will see furniture made by Dr. Mathews' son-in-law, Leonard Perry Bailey, and a portrait of Mr. Bailey attributed to James Pierce Barton.

L P Bailey was born in Pennsylvania on July 3, 1798, and received his training as a cabinet maker in Pittsburgh. He moved to Zanesville in 1820 and had his own shop by 1824. On November 5, 1823, he married Abigal Mathews, the daughter of Dr. Increase Mathews. He died on February 5, 1886, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

We generally think of Bailey as a furniture maker, but when we receive inquiries from outside Muskingum County, he is referred to as Bailey the organ and piano maker. We know of no examples of his organs or pianos which may be why that part of his output is not recognized locally. He should not be confused with Leonard Bailey (1825-1905) a cabinet and toolmaker best remembered for his wood planes which were made by the Stanley Works.

The Bailey pieces at the Mathews House are a Belter-style upholstered chair and one-half of a banquet table which he made for use by his family. The table features rope turnings on the central pedestal and acanthus leaf carvings and brass paw feet on the legs. Two pieces of Bailey furniture at the Stone Academy are a walnut secretary and a bed with ornate rose carvings.

The portrait of Mr. Bailey is attributed to James Pierce Barton, Zanesville's premier 19th century portraitist. Descendants of Mr. Bailey sponsored the conservation of the portrait. Some of you will remember Bailey's on Main retail pharmacy and the wholesale Bailey Drug Company on Linden Ave. Both of those concerns were started by descendants of L P Bailey.

06/10/2026

Available spots for our History Day Camp are filling up but there is still time to register your budding historian. Camp will be July 20-23 at the Stone Academy, 115 Jefferson St, Zanesville. It is open to kids in 1st through 5th grades and the cost is $40. For more information and registration forms email us at [email protected].

06/10/2026

In the history biz, as in life, sometimes you have to make an assessment and make last minute changes in the lineup, call an audible as it were. Check out the revised schedule for the Muskingum County Local History Forum. Some minor changes but still a great opportunity to meet with other people who want to learn more about the history of our community. No charge, everyone is welcome to attend.