The Lantern

What’s New at Rankin House?

            Rankin House, now closed for the season, has had a busy year.  It began last season with a new road from U.S. 52 to Rankin Road that allowed large buses to make the turn up the hill.  It ended just two weeks ago with the completion of a new bus-friendly and handicapped-friendly parking lot that features a handicapped accessible walkway from the lot to the house.

            Concurrently air conditioning was installed so that when interior renovations begin next year the house will be climate controlled to protect the collection. All these projects are funded by the Ohio Historical Society through grants or state budget line items.  If you were to visit Rankin House today you would notice moldings torn from the doorways and paint scraped off the walls that is part of the architectural investigation underway by OHS in the restoration process.  Recently, under one of the moldings a date of 1863 was found that establishes the time the Rankins last redecorated the home.  The Rankin family moved away in 1866.

     The new parking lot features handicapped access.

Ripley Museum is a MUST SEE

Be sure to stop at the Ripley Museum between now and River Village Christmas.  You will be AMAZED at the changes.  The reorganization began about a year ago with the cleaning/reorganizing of closets and building shelves for storage in two rooms. We also cleaned the basement (25 years accumulation). The file room was also changed to a different location in the house. Water lines and electricity were checked and replaced where needed.  New lighting was installed in several rooms. Then our current director, Cindy Thompson, arrived and the collection began to be reorganized and displayed in fabulous new arrangements.

            We still have themed rooms which include: a Victorian parlor, Civil War room, forties (and before) kitchen, tobacco and agriculture room, business room, horse-drawn vehicles, ladies room, school room, gents room and toy room.  But, Oh what a difference!  Come and see for yourself.  The Museum is open Saturday and Sunday from now until December 11.

Be sure to stop at the Ripley Museum between now and River Village Christmas.  You will be AMAZED at the changes.  The reorganization began about a year ago with the cleaning/reorganizing of closets and building shelves for storage in two rooms. We also cleaned the basement (25 years accumulation). The file room was also changed to a different location in the house. Water lines and electricity were checked and replaced where needed.  New lighting was installed in several rooms. Then our current director, Cindy Thompson, arrived and the collection began to be reorganized and displayed in fabulous new arrangements.

            We still have themed rooms which include: a Victorian parlor, Civil War room, forties (and before) kitchen, tobacco and agriculture room, business room, horse-drawn vehicles, ladies room, school room, gents room and toy room.  But, Oh what a difference!  Come and see for yourself.  The Museum is open Saturday and Sunday from now until December 11.

River Village Christmas at the Museum

The Museum invites all members, guests and all Ripley residents to make the Museum one of your stops during River Village Christmas. Stop by for some cookies on Saturday and Sunday.  Visitors will receive a free angel ornament for stopping in (while supplies last). Be sure to participate in and view the beautiful Angel Tree.  A display of vintage Nativity Scenes will also be a holiday feature during the weekend of December 10-11.  Following River Village Christmas the Museum will be closed for the season and will reopen in the spring.  Tours may be scheduled during the closed months by calling Betty Campbell at 937-392-4044. Angel ornaments dedicated to loved ones can be picked up on Sunday between 12-4.

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To reserve and angel for the Angel Tree, please mail in the following request form.

Your name  ______________________________

Address       Street____________________________City, State, ZIP________________________

Name/s of the special person /persons that you wish to honor:

Angel 1___________________________

Angel 2___________________________

Angel 3___________________________

The next Ripley Heritage House tour will be during the Bicentennial in June.  We plan to make this a huge tour that might be a two-day event.  If you would like to have your home included for this once-in-a-lifetime event, call Carol Stivers at 937-392-1135. The committee will be researching each home and creating a historical brochure/booklet about Ripley’s historical homes.  There will not be a house tour in 2011.