T-L Photo/JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH The Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum, located on Chestnut Street in Barnesville, is preparing to host a variety of events during the summer and fall.

By ROBERT A. DEFRANK

Times Leader Staff Writer

BARNESVILLE — The Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum will be busy this summer, with a full slate of activities going into fall.

Kathy Messenger, president of the Belmont County Historical Society, said the museum is going strong after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We just came off of a very successful Christmas tour. We had over 500 people come,” she said. “It is a popular stop.”

The museum will be a highlight for sightseers next month.

“Our first event’s going to be April 29, and we’re a stop on the Rubberneck Tour through Belmont County Tourism,” Messenger said, adding that the Master Gardeners of Belmont County will be doing a presentation at the museum’s gazebo on the back lawn.

“We’ll have the museum open for guests of the Rubberneck Tour. There’ll be some various things going on,” she said.

Messenger said attractions could also include students dressed in period clothing.

“Nothing has been planned yet. I talked to our textile coordinator the other day, and she’s going to pick out costumes. We’re going to leave it up to the students and the director to see what they wanted to do,” she said.

Brock Rogers, treasurer of the historical society, said the museum has been a stop on the tour before but not for several years. Messenger said guests have been very impressed in the past.

Another popular event is the Rose Tea, set for 11 a.m. June 24. It includes a light meal and a fashion show of bridal gowns.

There is a cost per person, and advance reservations and payment are required.

“We’re going to open up registrations for Rose Tea April 1. … We take registrations until we’re full,” she said. “We’re going to have a style show. It’s going to be a bridal style show with flower girls and brides, and that will be during the tea also.”

She said the event can seat about 40 people, and it usually sells out.

“That’s why we do our registrations early,” Messenger said. “We’ve been having tea here for many years.”

Rogers said guests can view a marker of ancient history at 9:30 a.m. July 13.

“In July we’re actually going to do a field trip to the petroglyph Track Rocks just outside of Barnesville,” he said.

Anthropologist John Boilegh from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will lead the tour, then conduct a program back at the museum.

“I’m super excited about that. I’ve never been out to the petroglyph, and that’s going to be something that’s free. No registration or anything required, 100-percent free. Just show up that morning. … We’ll carpool out and take a look at some real local history, some ancient history.”

The sandstones are covered with ancient carvings and paintings.

“Some people think it’s B.C. … Some people think it’s over 2,000 years old,” he said. “They’ve done trips to track rocks before, but it’s been several years.”

Guests are also welcome to an ice cream social from noon to 4 p.m. July 30.

“We’ll have some old-fashioned homemade ice cream here, games on the lawn, snacks and entertainment,” he said. “We’re still in the early stages of planning. … It’s going to be our featured summer event.”

Messenger said more information can be found on the organization’s social media, with additional detail provided as the events draw closer. There are further events planned for fall.

They said the museum has been recovering following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In 2021 we had 147 people attend our Christmas tour, which we only decorated downstairs. So to jump up to 500 within that year, that’s pretty good. I think people are out and about and wanting to do things with their families,” Messenger said.

The museum has been drawing visitors both from close at hand and farther afield.

“During our Christmas show, we had a woman and her mother come from … Canada that came one day. ‘How on Earth did you get to Barnesville, Ohio?'” he said. “That was a long way to come, but we’re glad they did.”

Messenger said about 40 percent of attendance at the Christmas show came from out of town.

“We had several bus tours from the Pennsylvania area, so we are growing,” she said.

Messenger said the museum is also available to rent for private parties and the gazebo is available for weddings.

Rogers said the museum has much to offer.

“We’re an absolute hidden gem in Belmont County, and we’d like to see as many people as we can, because we think we’re pretty special,” he said.

He said links to social media sites and events can be found at belmontcountymuseum.com. The museum is located at 532 North Chestnut St. The phone number is 740-425-2926.