Scioto County Heritage Museum Campus Development

The Scioto County Heritage Museum is developing a permanent cultural heritage campus in Portsmouth's historic Boneyfiddle District that aims to be a destination where residents and visitors can explore, experience, and celebrate the people, places, industries, and stories that make Scioto County distinctive.

Our vision brings together historic preservation, public art, museum exhibitions, land acquisition, and community programming to create a vibrant cultural destination that preserves our region's heritage while contributing to the continued revitalization of downtown Portsmouth.

The museum's emerging campus includes its headquarters at 623 Market Street, the historic Marsh House, and surrounding properties that will accommodate future exhibition spaces, outdoor programming, and community events.

We have already secured $162,000 in state capital funding toward the $354,000 renovation and expansion of our museum headquarters. This investment provides a strong foundation for the next phase of campus development.

Our Immediate Funding Priorities

1. Complete the Museum Headquarters Renovation and Addition — $192,000 Needed

The renovation and expansion of our headquarters at 623 Market Street is the first major capital priority. The $354,000 project will improve accessibility, renovate existing facilities, and provide additional space to support museum operations, exhibitions, collections, and public programming.

With $162,000 already secured through the State of Ohio, we are seeking the remaining $192,000 needed to complete this foundational project.

2. Restore and Reinstall the Historic Cloud Arch Sculpture — Approximately $100,000

The museum has acquired *Cloud Arch*, the public sculpture formerly installed on Portsmouth's Roy Rogers Esplanade. Its restoration and reinstallation will preserve a significant piece of Portsmouth's public art history and return it to a prominent place within the downtown cultural landscape.

The estimated $100,000 project will support the sculpture's rehabilitation and reinstallation as part of the museum's developing campus, creating a recognizable public landmark and an additional attraction for residents and visitors.

3. Acquire Three Properties for Campus Expansion — $55,000

The museum is pursuing the acquisition of three additional lots owned by SMH Holdings. A real estate professional has assessed the combined market value of these properties at approximately $55,000.

Acquiring these lots will allow the museum to expand its campus with dedicated permanent exhibition space and flexible event space for educational activities, community gatherings, cultural programming, and special events.

This strategic acquisition is essential to the museum's long-term vision of creating a connected and welcoming heritage campus.

Building a Collection That Tells Scioto County's Stories

Alongside our capital development, the museum is actively assembling a permanent collection of historically and culturally significant artifacts.

Recent acquisitions include:

- The Fannie Dugan crankshaft, representing an important part of the region's industrial and river history.

- The Cloud Arch sculpture, preserving Portsmouth's public art heritage.

- The Earwood Boat, used during the devastating 1937 Ohio River flood.

- The Terrace Club sign from Dreamland Pool, preserving the memory of a beloved local recreational landmark.

These acquisitions will help the museum interpret Scioto County's industrial, social, cultural, and environmental history through objects that have meaningful connections to the community.

We are also developing our first permanent exhibition, exploring the relationship between Scioto County residents and the Ohio and Scioto Rivers. Through historic artifacts, photographs, personal accounts, and interpretive storytelling, the exhibition will examine how the rivers have shaped local industries, transportation, recreation, community life, and collective memory.

A Long-Term Investment in Southern Ohio

The Scioto County Heritage Museum Campus Development is more than a building renovation. It is an investment in the cultural infrastructure, identity, and economic vitality of southern Ohio.

By preserving historic buildings, protecting irreplaceable artifacts, restoring public art, and creating new spaces for exhibitions and community activities, the museum will expand opportunities for education, cultural tourism, and public engagement.

Our approach is phased and achievable. We are building on significant state investment, existing museum properties, newly acquired collections, and growing community partnerships.

Our immediate goal is to secure the remaining funding for our headquarters renovation and addition, restore and reinstall Cloud Arch, and acquire the three expansion lots that will make future exhibition and event facilities possible.

Together, these projects will establish the foundation for a sustainable, accessible, and dynamic museum campus that celebrates Scioto County's distinctive heritage and serves future generations.