MARTINS FERRY — Belmont County Tourism Council is optimistically gearing up for a successful 2026.

One of the most exciting accomplishments coming in 2026 will be the completion of the Underground Railroad Museum moving from Flushing to Morristown in the historic Black Horse Inn.

The Underground Railroad Museum received $3.9 million from Governor Mike DeWine’s Appalachian Community Grant Program in 2024. The program is part of a $154 million investment in Appalachian downtowns and destinations.

This past June, DeWine attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the museum. He said that he believes the restoration of the Black Horse Inn and converting it into the new home of the Underground Railroad is the perfect way to preserve Belmont County history while bringing money into Morristown.

The cost of the project will be more than $2 million for construction, more than $300,000 for architectural and engineering work, $438,000 for site work and $1 million dollars for equipment. Due to the grant being funded through the Appalachian Community Grant, there are certain stipulations on when the project must be done. This project must be completed by Oct. 2026.

“The culmination of the construction project through the Black Horse Inn is set to be complete in late fall of 2026. So that means the Underground Railroad Museum will be opening in late fall,” Belmont County Tourism Council executive director Jackee Pugh said. “We anticipate opening in November, but obviously it’s a little fluid until things get closer to that timeline. But everything is advancing really well.”

She said that the council is working with Fire Watch Design’s fabrication team who have partnered with Cosi Science Center to build the exhibit designs for the museum.

Another thing Pugh is looking forward to in 2026 is Belmont County’s involvement in the State of Ohio’s America’s 250th birthday events throughout the entire year.

“There’ll be celebrations throughout the calendar year that the state is planning that we’re going to play a part in through different local events,” Pugh said. “But it’s also Belmont County’s 225th anniversary, this year, so we’re looking at doing something extra special to showcase why Belmont County’s history has played such an important role, not only locally, but as a bigger impact to the state and region.”

She added that celebrations will be planned throughout the year with most of them taking place around spring, summer and fall with the culmination of the big America 250 celebration happening around the 4th of July.

The last big event Pugh is looking forward to in 2026 is The Wall That Heals making its way to the Belmont County Fairgrounds on Oct. 1-4.

The replica scale Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall from Washington D.C. travels across the country and Belmont County was selected to be one of its 31 stops in 2026.

“Other areas in Ohio that have hosted it previously have seen upwards of 20,000 visitors coming into the area over the course of the exhibit,” Pugh said. “We’re really excited about this and we think there’s a lot of opportunity to not only bring in something educational and really moving for our residents, but to also bring in visitors from outside the area that could come pay homage to the veterans that really pay the ultimate sacrifice for all of our freedoms.”

She added that in addition to those three big events, she is very much looking forward to the Belmont County Fair, the Pumpkin Festival, Betty Zane Days and all of the street fairs and festivals that occur throughout Belmont County that make the county such a unique place.