T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Tom Thomas leads a tour of the Sedgwick House Museum attended by the Ayers Elementary fourth grade class on a school field trip Tuesday morning.

MARTINS FERRY — Ayers Elementary students traveled back to the Purple City’s roots with a field trip to the Sedgwick House Museum on Tuesday morning.

The Sedgwick House was originally constructed in 1870 by the Helling Family. In 1900 it became the home of Leroy Sedgwick, who lived there until 1960. Sedgwick was a businessman and served as Belmont County sheriff. He also was the co-founder of The Evening Times — a newspaper that eventually merged with The Bellaire Leader to create The Times Leader.

In 1967, the Martins Ferry Area Historical Society was formed with the goal of preserving the history and heritage of Martins Ferry. In 1970 it established the Sedgwick House Museum to house historical artifacts pertaining to the city.

“The idea is very simple. Throughout the museum we have things that deal with Martins Ferry history,” society member Tom Thomas said.

Each May, students from Ayers Elementary come to the museum to tour the house and its collection while members Tom and Rosie Thomas outline the history of Martins Ferry while using the displays to help paint a visual picture of life there in the 1800s.

The Sedgwick House’s collection spans portions of four centuries with artifacts and records dating from the 18th century to present day. It features vintage furniture, glassware and clothing, including letter jackets and a variety of school- and sports-related memorabilia as well as manufacturing and industrial items.

The city has a long and rich history, claiming the title “oldest settlement in the state of Ohio.” It was settled at least as early as 1779 – a time when settlement west of the Ohio River was prohibited. The first settlers ventured west from what is now Wheeling, West Virginia. Among them were members of the pioneering Zane and Martin families, including the heroine of the Revolutionary War Battle of Ft. Henry, Elizabeth “Betty” Zane, who is known for running from the fort to a nearby cabin to fetch gunpowder while under fire from the British and their Native American allies.

In 1795, Absalom Martin was operating an Ohio River ferry at the site and platted a town that he named Jefferson. Decades later in 1835, his son Ebenezer redesigned the system of streets, forming a grid that largely still exists today. The community was later renamed for his father’s ferry in 1865.

The city eventually became an industrial center, serving as home to steel mills and other manufacturing operations.

“If you go up in the business room, you can see 100 years of businesses,” Thomas said.

According to Thomas, the Sedgwick House is the oldest home in all of Martins Ferry.

“It’s easy to remember because the house is 150 years old and the museum is 50 years old,” he said.

Tuesday’s field trip included two different groups ranging in age from kindergarten through fourth grade. The tour consists of Tom Thomas leading the students through each room and explaining the theme and significance of the various rooms in the museum.

The Sedgwick House Museum is located at 627 Hanover St., and tours are scheduled by appointment by calling 740-296-1238.