Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum, Zanesville

About Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum

Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum in Zanesville showcases Ohio history across multiple exhibits within one of Muskingum County's oldest buildings, constructed in 1809. Visitors explore the building's role as a former state capitol contender, school, private residence, and abolitionist center where the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society held conventions in the 1830s. The museum's most popular exhibit features a hidden trap door beneath the staircase that once concealed runaway slaves during the building's time as an Underground Railroad station. Additional exhibits display historic portraits of John and Sarah McIntire, books by author and activist Elizabeth Robins who lived there in the 1870s, Allwine and Bailey furniture, pottery, and Native American artifacts. Displays also highlight Zanesville's famous Y-Bridge and include a tribute to astronaut John Glenn. A historic timeline traces Putnam's development alongside other items illustrating regional culture. The site operates seasonally in the Putnam Historic District, welcoming school groups and individual visitors interested in local and state history.