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America 250 Events to Celebrate in Washington County!
July–November 2026
Saturday, July 11
History in the Park
📍 East Muskingum Park, Marietta
🕙 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Take a journey through history with historical organizations from Ohio and West Virginia featuring displays, demonstrations, and educational presentations.
More Information:
📞 Nancy Arthur: 740-525-7479
🌐 www.cwrtmov.org
Monday, July 13
239th Anniversary of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787
10:00 a.m.
Start Westward Monument
The Northwest Ordinance: The Success and Failure of a Hopeful Future for Western America
Presented by renowned historian Paul Finkelman.
6:00 p.m.
Campus Martius Museum
The Evolution of 19th Century Ohio: From Racial Exclusion and Segregation to the Cutting Edge of Racial Equality
Free and open to the public.
Friday, July 17
Discovering History: Traveler’s Guide to Ancient Ohio
📍 Campus Martius Museum
🕛 Noon–1:00 p.m.
Professor Hancock shares the fascinating story behind Ohio’s Indigenous earthworks, now recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the creation of his illustrated travel guide.
Free and open to the public.
Livestreamed on the Campus Martius Museum YouTube channel.
Saturday, July 18
Battle of Buffington Island Commemoration
📍 Buffington Island Battlefield Memorial Park
🕙 10:00 a.m.
Free public commemoration honoring Ohio’s largest Civil War battle.
Saturday, July 18
Cemetery Tours: Service and Sacrifice
📍 Mound Cemetery
🕙 10:00–11:15 a.m.
Reservations:
🌐 MariettaCastle.org/Events
July 24–26
Harmar Days
“250 Years of History: A West Side Story”
📍 Historic Harmar District
Celebrate the rich history of Harmar Village with a weekend of activities, entertainment, and community events.
August
Friday, August 7
Discovering History: Frugal Frontier Living
📍 Campus Martius Museum
🕛 Noon–1:00 p.m.
Learn how Marietta’s earliest settlers lived sustainably through conservation, reuse, and ingenuity long before recycling became common.
Presented by Ryan Holter.
Free and open to the public.
August 15–16
America 250 Festival of Living History
📍 Muskingum Park
Experience an authentic early American encampment featuring:
- Historical reenactors
- Musket and cannon demonstrations
- Field artillery
- Period crafts and traders
- Living history demonstrations
- Family-friendly activities
Information:
📞 740-885-8151
📧 [email protected]
Saturday, August 22
Marietta’s Religious Pioneers
📍 First Congregational Church
🕚 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate 230 years of faith and community through presentations portraying:
- General Rufus Putnam
- Benjamin Ives Gilman
- Mary (Bird) Lake
- Nahum Ward
- Return Jonathan Meigs
- Judge Ephraim Cutler
Speakers include Scott Britton and Dave Baker.
Free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 29
Mound Cemetery Coming Alive
📍 Mound Cemetery
🕙 10:00–11:15 a.m.
Living history tour featuring notable pioneers buried in Mound Cemetery.
Reservations:
🌐 MariettaCastle.org/Events
September
Friday, September 4
Discovering History: Catch to Finish: The World of Competitive Rowing
📍 Campus Martius Museum
🕛 Noon–1:00 p.m.
Presented by Tanner O’Connor.
Free and open to the public.
September 11–13
50th Annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
📍 Ohio River Levee
Celebrate the festival’s 50th anniversary with entertainment, sternwheel boats, fireworks, food, and family activities.
Thursday, September 17
The Yellow Fever Plot to Kill Lincoln
Presented by Matthew Lively
📍 Knights of Columbus #478
🕖 7:00 p.m.
Explore the intriguing story surrounding one of the lesser-known plots connected to President Abraham Lincoln.
October
Friday, October 2
Discovering History: Women Running for Public Office in Ohio
📍 Campus Martius Museum
🕛 Noon–1:00 p.m.
Dr. Barbara Palmer explores Ohio’s pioneering women in politics and the history of women’s representation in public office.
Free and open to the public.
Saturday, October 17
Cemetery Tours: Bringing Forth Those Pioneers
📍 Mound Cemetery
🕚 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Reservations:
🌐 MariettaCastle.org/Events
November
Friday, November 6
Discovering History: Music of the Women of the Civil War
📍 Campus Martius Museum
🕛 Noon–1:00 p.m.
Civil War historian and musician Steve Ball presents an engaging program featuring songs inspired, written, and performed by women during the Civil War era.
Free and open to the public.
Planning your next Marietta adventure? Request a free copy of our visitor guide, packed with even more helpful details on where to dine, shop, stay and play across Marietta, Washington County and the surrounding region.
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