MORRISTOWN, Ohio — Renovations are progressing rapidly at the historic Black Horse Inn, bringing Belmont County one step closer to opening its long-awaited Underground Railroad Museum.
The brick building, originally constructed in 1807, sat vacant for years before restoration efforts began. Today, major interior work has been completed, including the installation of electrical service and drywall, with painting expected to begin soon.
Project leaders say the renovation remains on schedule thanks to grant funding that requires construction to be completed by the end of October.
The next phase will focus on designing and installing museum exhibits. This weekend, the exhibit design team will visit the site to map out the full-scale layout of each display inside the building. The walkthrough will allow planners to make any final adjustments before fabrication begins in August.
Throughout August and September, crews will build and install exhibits that will tell the story of the Underground Railroad and Belmont County’s role in helping enslaved people seek freedom.
Jackee Pugh, executive director of Belmont County Tourism, said the project is steadily moving toward its final stages as preparations continue for opening day.
A soft opening for the museum is planned for late October, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening in early November.
Once complete, the Belmont County Underground Railroad Museum will give visitors the opportunity to explore local history inside one of the county’s oldest surviving buildings while highlighting the area’s significant role in the Underground Railroad.
