In partnership with the Muskingum County Library System, Muskingum 250 and Muskingum County History are excited to offer a presentation by Jay Frey about the early history of Wheeling and Fort Henry.  

Wheeling, West Virginia was the first of many cities and towns Ebenezer Zane had a hand in founding, and was the home of many of those who settled in Muskingum County   The battles of Fort Henry in Wheeling were crucial in the American Revolution, but have been mostly forgotten in the course of American history.  Learn about the events that led these battles, who fought them, and what came of them.  Jay will also discuss the heroic acts of Samuel McCulloch, and Betty Zane. 

Born and raised in Wheeling, Jay Frey was educated in Ohio County Public Schools and he is a graduate of Oberlin College. His career as a teacher and later as a fundraising professional took him outside of his home state. In 2010 he returned to the area for an executive position at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. He retired in 2014. With a lifelong passion for local history and genealogy, Jay is involved in a number of organizations reflective of those interests, namely the Fort Henry Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, the Friends of Wheeling, Wheeling Heritage and the newly formed Ohio County Cemeteries Foundation. He has worked as a volunteer to raise up Wheeling’s colonial and Revolutionary legacy hence his interest in Lord Dunmore and Dunmore’s War.

How do you find out if your ancestors served in the military during the American Revolution or the War of 1812?  Brooke Anderson with the Muskingum County Genealogical Society will explore military records that are available in both print and online formats for those time periods.

Brooke Anderson is a native of Pennsylvania who has lived in Muskingum County since 1977. She received her BS in Education and Master of Science in Library Science from Clarion State College (now Penn West Clarion). She was a Library Media Specialist for the Zanesville City Schools for 35 years. Brooke has been conducting genealogy research for over thirty years and currently volunteers as chairman of the Genealogy Library of the Muskingum County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogy Society (MCCOGS). She is a member of MCCOGS, the Ohio Genealogy Society, the Western Pennsylvania Genealogy Society, and the Beaver County (PA) Genealogy and History Center.

The MCCOGS Genealogy Library is currently located in the Ohio University Zanesville Library at Harrold Hall. It will return to the John McIntire Library when the remodeling project is completed. The hours are 10 am to 5 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (unless OUZ is closed for holiday).

Join us for a Tour of Zanesville’s iconic Woodlawn Cemetery!

Step into the past on Sunday, May 18, at 2:00 PM, as we explore one of Muskingum County’s most historic landmarks. Established in 1853, Woodlawn Cemetery is not only a place of rest but also a treasure trove of local and national history.

This guided walking tour will take you through the beautifully preserved grounds, highlighting the stories of prominent figures connected to the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and Ohio’s early history who shaped Zanesville and beyond. An array of community leaders and their enduring monuments, the cemetery tells tales of bravery, resilience, and artistry.

Hear captivating stories about the lives and legacies of the patriots and pioneers buried here.

This event is perfect for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about the fascinating heritage of Zanesville.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Woodlawn Cemetery, 500 Pershing Rd, Zanesville, Ohio - Parking is available on Weller Avenue, and group will meet at Cemetery Office
Cost: FREE

What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and an inquisitive spirit.

Let the echoes of history guide you on this unforgettable afternoon tour of Woodlawn Cemetery. Don’t miss the chance to connect with Zanesville’s rich past in a serene and beautiful setting.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This event is provided in partnership with the Renner Theatre and the Muskingum County Library System

Rebecca Carr, Muskingum 250 Committee Chair and Muskingum County History Board member, will share newly discovered information about the early life of John McIntire.  In addition, Rebecca will also speak about his many accomplishments, struggles, and the legacy he has left to the people of Zanesville since his death.  The lives and legacies of his wife, Sarah McIntire Young, and daughter, Amelia McIntire, will also be discussed. 

Have you been interested in knowing more about where you live? Join Muskingum County History Board members, Dr. Lacey Hull and Charlotte McElroy, to learn about the top 10 events/stories of Dresden.

Seating is limited; pregistration is required.

https://events.muskingumlibrary.org/event/12644458

Muskingum County History Executive Director, Dr. Larisa Harper, will share the flood’s impact, stories of survival, and the lasting effects on the region.

Explore the history of the Putnam Female Seminary and meet the key Putnam women from the 1800s with Muskingum County History Board member, Dr. Lacey Hull, and Executive Director, Dr. Larisa Harper.

Seating is limited, preregistration is required.

WAITING LIST: https://events.muskingumlibrary.org/event/12540167

Explore the history of the Putnam Female Seminary and meet the key Putnam women from the 1800s with Muskingum County History Board member, Dr. Lacey Hull, and Executive Director, Dr. Larisa Harper.

Seating is limited, preregistration is required.

WAITING LIST: https://events.muskingumlibrary.org/event/12574024

Peter Cultice, president of Muskingum County History, will share the stories of Joshua Simpson, Frederick Douglass, Branch Rickey, and Charles Thomas. These men had common challenges, but they refused to be deterred from their goals and dreams.

John M. Barr, author of Zane’s Trace: A New Road in a New Country, will discuss the history of the Zane’s Trace as well as its importance to Ohio. Mr. Barr will share the story and the documents that describe the history and location of the Zane’s Trace. 

Special thanks to the National Rd-Zane Grey Museum and the Muskingum County Library System

This talk, “Visions of the New Nation in the Northwest Territory,” examines Marietta as a cultural heritage site that serves a crucial role in redefining American collective history by reconstructing a national identity based on the Northwest Ordinance, one of the most important, progressive, and far-reaching legislative acts in American history. By using the interlinked aspects of place, Marietta’s importance as the “first organized settlement of the Northwest Territory” illustrates how it became the birthplace of equality through the preservation of the public domain. This is in contrast with the myth of freedom and independence of a seemingly limitless land. The lessons learned from Marietta as “place,” then, expands the American narrative by challenging our understanding of territorial expansion within the United States in the early nineteenth century.

Dr. Brandon Downing focuses on early American history, particularly Native-white relations along the frontier. He has taught courses in U.S. History (both to 1877 and after 1877), Colonial America, American Revolutionary Era, Native American History, Atlantic World, Professional Historian, and Introduction to Public History. His current book manuscript is “‘Barbarous Tribes of Savages’: Violence and Conflict on the Periphery of Empire in the Colonial Mid-Atlantic, 1750-1776.” Prior to working at Marietta, Dr. Downing was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi.

This event has been made possible by the assistance of the Ohio Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.