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Historic Museums

The Ripley Museum

219 N. Second Street
Ripley, OH 45167
937-392-4660

The Ohio Tobacco Museum

Ohio Tobacco Museum, Inc. is located at 703 South Second Street beside the tobacco warehouses.

This two story brick house is of Federal and Georgian style architecture. This 1850s home was once owned by the Espey family, owners of Espey Heavy Munition Works in Cincinnati. This company produced Ripley's three cannons for protection during the Civil War. The historic home became the site for the Ohio Tobacco Museum in 1988 and stands as the only such museum in the state of Ohio. The contents of the museum have been provided through public and private donations and represent the story of Ripley's unique southern Ohio agricultural history. Tobacco was a huge crop, and even Thomas Jefferson grew tobacco.

The History Room recognizes the earliest years of tobacco farming from those who settled this area, the origin of the famous "White Burley" tobacco, and tobacco farming during the Civil War era.

The River Room offers tribute to the importance the Ohio River played in the economic success farming had on the area.

The Tobacco Farm Tool Room offers a look at some of the earliest equipment used in the production of tobacco.

The museum is supported through donations, and  memberships. 

Free Admission. Visit the museum on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. April through December, summer holidays, or at any time by appointment.  Call (937) 392-9410 for appointments.

Tour groups are welcome.

See: Tobacco Resources http://www.qozi.com/tobacco/ for a very comprehensive site about tobacco.

The Ripley Museum

The Ripley Museum (www.ripleymuseum.org) is located in an 1850's home featuring 10 rooms with collectibles dating from the late 18th century up to the mid-20th century. This federal design house is similar to many built in Ripley in the 1850's. It features three fireplaces and a curved staircase. The parlor, with its shuttered windows, contains a Valley Gem piano which was manufactured in Ripley in the 1870s.

Open April 1-December 14 / Saturday 10-4; Sunday 12-5; other times by appointment. Call (937) 392-4660 for appointments. Admission $3.00/adults (18+), $1.00/students.