Clermont County celebrates the country’s 250th birthday with a new History & Museum Passport and a collection of colorful murals honoring the area’s storied past.
It’s been 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and communities big and small around the nation are celebrating the history and culture that make them unique.
In Southwest Ohio, Clermont County has joined in the fun with a new History & Museum Passport, available for free at any of the 14 participating historical locations around the county. Near all of those stops, travelers can also check out the colorful new Historical Art Mural Trail, which features 11 large-scale public art pieces celebrating the people and places important to the area’s story.
Clermont is Ohio’s second-oldest county – older than the state of Ohio itself – and boasts a storied history, thanks in part to its location along the Ohio River. From indigenous settlements thousands of years ago to frontier expansion, the Civil War and the Underground Railroad, to the bustling suburban landscape of today, the area has played a huge role in shaping the nation we know today.
Visitors can step back in time and learn more at each stop listed in the Passport, collect stamps along the way, and take short side quests to check out the art murals.
The oldest structure in Clermont County is a great place to start: the Harmony Hill Dairy House & Museum was once the homestead of Major General William Lytle, founder of the town of Williamsburg and known as the “Father of Clermont County.” The small limestone dairy house was completed in 1802 and served as an early refrigerator — during winters, blocks of ice cut from the nearby Little Miami River helped keep perishable food cold. The museum highlights the lives of the area’s settlers through artifacts, photos, household items and much more.
Nearby, the Bethel Historical Society & Museum gives visitors another glimpse at local lore with stories, photos and heirlooms from the village of Bethel. This year, the museum is honoring America 250 with special events on the third Saturday of each month through November. The free, family-friendly celebrations feature games, food, and prizes, each with a different historical theme, including Toys & Games, Food of the Times, and Heroes.
It’s a scenic 20-minute drive to another Passport stop, this one rooted in the rich aviation history of Southwest Ohio. The Tri-State Warbird Museum showcases World War II aircraft and military vehicles, all either fully operational or in the process of restoration. Visitors can check out planes in two large hangars, the vehicle restoration shop, a historic flight simulator and replica military barracks, plus learn about the country’s role in WWII through the stories of veterans.
Also on the trail is Promont House & Museum, a beautifully preserved circa-1865 Victorian-style mansion that was once the home of Ohio’s 43rd governor, John M. Pattinson. Visitors can view period furnishings, clothing, and toys (some belonging to the original owners), climb to the third-floor servants’ quarters and the recently renovated “fourth floor” tower, and take a nature walk on a trail through the wooded grounds. Check the events calendar for afternoon tea events and free open house days celebrating America 250.
Click here to Discover Clermont County and celebrate America 250!
Passports are available for free at all the participating museums. Check hours at all locations before visiting – some have limited hours and special events planned for America 250.
By Ann Fazzini
