The Ritchie County Historical Society was formed in 1973 and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in 1976.

Old Stone House Museum

Pennsboro B & O Railroad Depot

Pennsboro B & O Depot Trailhead

We invite you to view our current projects which have been made possible by countless hours of volunteer labor and donations received by our members and interested public.

Our Store offers several publications and maps which will prove helpful to those researching family genealogy in Ritchie County.

Join Us Today and help preserve the history and heritage of Ritchie County.

Tours, Hours
and Location

History and
Research

Printable
Documents

Old Stone House Museum

Home

Events

Gallery

Shop

Join

Links

Contact Us

Stone House prior to 1908.

The Stone House is one of the oldest structures located between Clarksburg and Parkersburg and is the oldest landmark in Ritchie County.

John Webster started construction in 1810 and used it as an “Ordinary” for travelers along the Old State Road that went from Clarksburg to Marietta, Ohio. It was also used as an Inn for the stage coach line that also went to Marietta.

In the 1830s, when the Northwestern Turnpike was constructed to Parkersburg, travelers could choose between stagecoaches to Marietta or Parkersburg.

The James Martin family owned the Stone House from 1815 to 1908 when it was sold to A.J. Ireland who constructed the frame addition. The Ireland Section, also referred to as the boarding house, more than doubled the number of rooms in the Inn.

The Ritchie County Historical Society purchased the Stone House from the Ireland family on June 20, 1977 and converted it to the Old Stone House Museum.

It is an “Evolution Style” museum with artifacts and memorabilia from many different periods of the county’s history.

Museum Information and Tours

The regional genealogy and history library located in the Stone House Museum is available by appointment.

The Old Stone House is open by appointment only. Please email us at Info@RitchieHistoricalSociety.org to make arrangements.

The Old Stone House and Pennsboro Depot are also open by appointment in addition to times listed on our Events page. Please email us at Info@RitchieHistoricalSociety.org to make arrangements.

Officers
President - Mike Nichols
1st Vice President - Walt Fleming
2nd Vice President - Larry Villers
Secretary- Rachel Morrison
Treasurer - Jackie Fleming