The Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County facts for kids
| Predecessor | Muskingum County Pioneer Association Old Settlers Association |
|---|---|
| Formation | 4 March 1890 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Purpose | Preserving the history of the Zanesville and Muskingum County region of Ohio |
| Location |
|
| Services | Maintains historical documents and large, representative collection of Weller Pottery. Operates Dr. Increase Mathews House and Stone Academy |
The Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County, also known as the Zanesville Historical Society, is a group in Zanesville, Ohio. Its main goal is to save and share the history of the Zanesville and Muskingum County area in Ohio. This group is a non-profit organization. This means it uses any money it earns to help its mission, not to make a profit for owners.
The Society takes care of several important historical places. These include the Dr. Increase Mathews House, built in 1805. Dr. Mathews was one of the people who helped start the town. Another site is the Stone Academy, built in 1809. This building was once thought of as a possible state capitol. It was also a meeting place for groups that wanted to end slavery. A famous writer named Elizabeth Robins once lived there and wrote about it. In 1993, the Society won an award for its great work in fixing up and saving the Stone Academy.
How the Society Started
The Pioneer and Historical Society is one of the oldest history groups in Ohio. It officially started on March 4, 1890. It took over from two older groups: the Muskingum County Pioneer Association and the Old Settlers Association.
In 1924, the Society was reorganized. After this, its historical displays were opened again for everyone to see in Memorial Hall.
Amazing Historical Collections
The Society keeps many old and important documents. These include the journal and papers of Dr. Mathews. He was a pioneer who first explored the area in 1798. His family gave his papers to the Society in 1943.
The Society also has papers from Thomas Merritt, who was born in 1759. He was from New England and served in the American Revolution. Later, he was a Major in Canadian forces during the War of 1812.
The Society owns documents signed by famous American leaders. These include land grants or military papers signed by presidents like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and Abraham Lincoln.
Weller Pottery Collection
In 1958, the Society received a huge gift. It was the world's "largest and most representative collection" of Weller art pottery. Weller was a company that made beautiful pottery in Zanesville until 1948. This collection shows many different types of art pottery made by the company.
