(Photo by Amber Phipps) Representatives of various organizations participated in Friday’s groundbreaking for the new Ohio River Museum.

A new beginning for the Ohio River Museum was marked Friday with ground officially broken to kick off phase one of construction of a new facility.

Following the demolition of two of the three existing museum buildings last month, the new version will be a $14.3 million, 29,000-square-foot facility that is expected to be completed in two phases by the end of 2027.

“Our mission at the Ohio History Connection is to spark discovery of Ohio’s stories to embrace the present, share the past and transform the future,” said Megan Wood, executive director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection, a statewide nonprofit that manages museums and includes the state’s historic preservation office. “One of the main ways that we do that is through our very extensive site network that includes these two very important sites here in Marietta: Campus Martius, the museum of the Northwest Territory, and the Ohio River Museum.”

After being in operation for almost 50 years, it was decided that a new Ohio River Museum facility was needed to support the community’s needs and growing historical collection.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at 601 Front St. alongside the Ohio River and the W.P. Snyder towboat. It kicked off with Larry Groce and Todd Burge performing a song from their musical based on the history of Marietta.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Shovels were placed along the ground of the new Ohio River Museum site prior to Friday’s groundbreaking.

Groce was the longtime host and creative director for the “Mountain Stage” music program, while Burge is also a talent buyer for Peoples Bank Theatre and director of the Esbenshade Series at Marietta College.

The Ohio History Connection oversees both Marietta museums, which are managed locally by the Northwest Territory Museum Society. Wood thanked members of the Washington County Public Library, the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, Washington County commissioners, U.S. Department of Agriculture and state and city officials for helping make the new Ohio River Museum possible.

“First and foremost, the board appreciates the partnerships that have been established here,” said Charley Moses, president of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio History Connection. “Partnerships are the way we accomplish the goals and missions of the organization. Nothing is more important than the relationships that we have with our partners throughout Ohio.”

Speakers kept their remarks brief and lighthearted due to the wind and cold temperatures. Despite the dreary weather, invited guests were lively and their spirits were high.

Other speakers included museum Director Erin Augenstein, Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher, Director of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management Kimberly Murnieks, and former Ohio Governor and Marietta Mayor Nancy Hollister.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Singers and songwriters Larry Groce, left, and Todd Burge opened Friday’s Ohio River Museum groundbreaking with two songs that represented the history of Marietta.

“When this is done, it’s going to be absolutely amazing,” said Hollister. “The services, the entertainment, the education, the history that will be provided.”

A cannon was then fired to commemorate the occasion.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ohio River Museum Friday.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) A cannon was shot after the speeches at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the beginning of a new chapter for the Ohio River Museum.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Representatives of various organizations participated in Friday’s groundbreaking for the new Ohio River Museum.