Ohio River Museum
The Ohio River Museum in Marietta is pleased to exhibit the extensive collection of the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. While you tour, discover the golden age of the steamboat and learn more about the ecology of the Ohio River system. The Ohio River Museum consists of three exhibit buildings, the first chronicling the origins and natural history of the Ohio River. The history of the steamboat on the Ohio River system is featured in the second building, along with a video presentation on river steamboats. The last building features displays about boat building, mussels in the Ohio River system, and tool and equipment from the steamboat era.
Outside the museum, on the Muskingum River, visitors can take an escorted tour of the W. P. SNYDER JR.-- the last intact steam-powered "pool-type" stern-wheeled towboat in the United States. After your museum visit, cruise the Ohio River on the Valley Gem, a working sternwheeler docked next door to the Ohio River Museum.
Other exhibits on the museum grounds include the pilothouse from the steamboat the TELL CITY, a full-scale reproduction of a flatboat from Ohio's early settlement period, and an 1800 dug-out canoe used as a ferry between Fort Harmer and Marietta's settlement. Also on site are a series of poles showing the heights of some of the worst floods to hit the area in its recorded history: the 1884 flood at 54.5 feet, the 1898 flood at 49.6 feet, the 1907 flood at 52.1 feet, the flood of 1913 at 60.3 feet, and the 1937 flood at 55 feet.
WP Snyder Jr. Renovations
The WP Snyder Jr. left Marietta in November 2009 for much needed restoration. She is now in drydock at South Point, Ohio. You can follow along with the restoration of the Snyder at the New Life for W.P. Snyder Jr. blog! Read about the November journey below:
At about 1100 on Friday, 20 November 2009, the towboat W. P. SNYDER Jr. slipped her moorings and under the guidance of the towboats MOUNTAIN GIRL and ROBERT E from McGinnis Inc., threaded her way down the Muskigum River, through the old railroad bridge to the mouth on the Ohio River. There she was made up between two barges for the transit down the Ohio to the yard in South Point, Ohio. The SNYDER was escorted by well wishers on the excursion boat VALLEY GEM which moors behind the SNYDER. Once made up between the two barges, the towboats face up on each barge and started the push down river. The trip was uneventful passing through the BELLEVILE and RACINE, Lock and dam. The flotilla moored up to a fleet at the Kyger Creek power plant at about 0330 Saturday morning due to shut out fog. The flotilla got underway at about 1030 and passed uneventually through teh R. C. BYRD lock and dam. The flotilla finally arrived at South Point at about 1900. There she was tied up and electrical power attached to power the installed bilge pumps. While in transit, the two cement patches in the number 3 compartment started to weep but were pumped out with the SNYDER's installed pumps. Mc Ginnis had two crew aboard, who checked the spaces every 15-20 minutes. There was never any danger due to this water coming aboard. The pumps ran about 1 minute every hour or so. The performance of the McGinnis crew in unmooring, making up, and the whole transit was caried out very smoothly and in a very profesional manner.
Directions
The Ohio River Museum is located at 601 Front Street, Marietta, Ohio, one block from Ohio State Route 7, and minutes from I-77. Free parking is available in the museum parking lot. Ohio River Museum is also wheelchair accessible, except for W.P. Snyder.
If you planning a visit to the Ohio River Museum, also make time to see Campus Martius Museum of the Northwest Territory, just a three minute walk from the Ohio River Museum.
Use the interactive map below for specific driving instructions.
Hours of Operation
| April - Labor Day | September - December | |
| Monday | 9:30 to 5 | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed | Closed |
| Wednesday-Saturday | 9:30 to 5 | 9:30 to 5, Saturday Only* |
| Sunday | Noon to 5 | Noon to 5 |
| Closed | Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, January-March** | |
* Open Friday after Thanksgiving, 9:30 to 5. ** Tours available by appointment. |
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Admission Rates
| 1 Day Pass 1 Museum |
30 Day Pass Campus Martius & OH River |
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| FOM or OHS Member | Free | Free |
| Adult | $6.00 | $9.00 |
| Students K to College (with ID) | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| Children 5 and under | Free | Free |
| Family Pass | --- | $25.00 |
Your ticket from Ohio River Museum entitles you to a $2 adult or $1 child discount at Blennherhassett Museum in Parkersburg, WV. Visit Blennerhassett Museum first and receive the same discount at the Ohio River Museum. |
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Educational Programs
Most educational programs at the Ohio River Museum are geared for 3rd through 8th grades with special programming available for all ages. Programs focus on the relationship between people and the river. View steamboat models and artifacts from hundreds of inland boats. Learn about freshwater mussels and the impact that invasive species such as the zebra mussel have had on native species. Many more learning opportunities are available. Ask for details when scheduling!
Ask about Hometown History on Wheels! Bus transportation cost reimbursement available to Washington County schools through donations from area groups and individuals on a limited basis. When scheduling, ask for details.
To plan your visit, contact our staff via email or by calling 1.740.373.3750. And don't forget, the Ohio River Museum is located just one block from Campus Martius. Tour both museums for just $1 more!
Educational Admission Rates
| Museum Tour Only* | 4th Grade Achievement** | Educational Workshop** | |
| Students | $3.00 | $4.00 | $6.00 |
| Chaperones | $3.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 |
| Teachers | Free | Free | Free |
Please note that membership discounts do not apply to educational admission rates. * Add the Campus Martius Museum to your tour for just $1 more! ** Museum tour included. |
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Events
River Retrospective: Ohio Valley Transportation before Paved Roads (Part 2)
Special exhibit starts April 1 and runs all season. Produced by Marietta College Library Special Collections, Joseph “Woody" Rutter and Jeff Spear, guest curators.
