A digitalized rendition of the new Ohio River Museum which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. (Photo provided by Neil Thompson)

Since 2022, the Ohio River Museum has been closed from the public due to the project planning and construction of a new museum.

After the demolition of the old museum which started in the beginning of March, groundbreaking for the new museum began on April 11.

The Ohio River Museum was established in 1941 in the basement of the Campus Martius Museum and as a result of the growing historical collection, an expansion to the Campus Martius was constructed in 1957.

The historical collection continued to grow over the years and the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen along with the Ohio History Connection recognized that there would need to be a separate facility. The Ohio River Museum was then constructed and established in 1971 and opened in 1973.

“When things get to be about 50 years old that’s when you start having a lot of questions about ‘okay what’s going to work?'” said Ohio History Connection’s Manager of Media and Public Relations Neil Thompson. “That 50 years just seems to be the point when you need to re-evaluate.”

An overhead view of the new Ohio River Museum after phase one and two have been completed. (Photo provided by Neil Thompson)

The Ohio History Connection has affiliations with over 50 historical sites all across the state. In collaboration with the Northwest Territory Museum Society and the Washington County Public Library, the new Ohio River Museum will be constructed with a completion date expected for 2027.

On behalf of the Ohio History Connection, the Northwest Territory Museum Society manages and runs the property.

The construction of the new Ohio River Museum will be completed in two phases. Phase one of the process was the demolition of the old building and the construction of the new one which will take roughly 18 months to complete.

Phase one will be the completion of the new facility which will consist of the Washington County local history and genealogy archive as well as amenities like event rooms and the gift shop.

Phase two has about 50% of funding finalized and will include the completion of the exhibit hall of the museum along with final landscaping touches.

The new Ohio River Museum will cost $14.3 million and be about 29,000 square feet upon its completion in 2027. (Photo provided by Neil Thompson)

During the demolition and construction project that is scheduled for the next two years, all of the historic collections are kept in the building that is currently still standing.

Once phase two is complete, all of the exhibits from the older building will be transferred and the remainder of the old building will be torn down.

“It’s going to serve as a hub for river connect stories across time to the benefit of both the local and regional community,” said Thompson. “This new museum is necessary because it’s going to engage the local community and visitors from all over the nation about the history of the Ohio River.”

The 2027 facility will include features like a lobby, a community event space and a larger parking lot to allow for more visitors. The new building will be a total of 29,000 square feet including a lower level and outdoor decks.

According to the Ohio History Connection, the total budget is $14.3 million.

Funding for phase one has been finalized with funding received from the Washington County Public Library for $2.6 million, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Grant for $2.75 million, state capital budget appropriations for $6.1 million and $150,000 from the Washington County Commissioners.

“There was a feasibility study in 2019 where we had four different options and the best option is that if we want the museum to have all these desired elements, it’s best to build a new museum,” said Thompson. “It’s going to be more energy efficient and there’s going to be lower operating costs.”

The new Ohio River Museum is expected to bring the community and visitors closer together through engagement and connection to Ohio history.