Southern Ohio Museum, Portsmouth

About Southern Ohio Museum

The Southern Ohio Museum in downtown Portsmouth occupies a historic Beaux Arts building and invites visitors to explore newly renovated galleries alongside interactive exhibits. The museum houses the world's largest collection of works by artist Clarence Holbrook Carter and the Art of the Ancients gallery, displaying 10,000 prehistoric Native American objects from the Wertz Collection. Families can spend time in the Martha Burton Blue Room, an interactive space designed for children, while a Digital Gallery showcases new media art. The museum features charming dog sculptures by Mark Chatterly that serve as mascots welcoming visitors. Additional facilities include a 100-seat theater, a student art studio, and galleries highlighting contemporary Ohio and regional artists. The library and archives are available by appointment for researchers and scholars. Beyond the main location, the museum operates an off-site circus arts program. General admission is free. The museum is fully accessible with an elevator and accessible restrooms.