ChiloHISTORY AND CLERMONT COUNTY MUSEUM PASSPORT
This Passport Belongs to:
Clermont County History:
Clermont County, established in 1800 as one of the first counties in the Northwest Territory, holds a proud place in American history. Once home to Native American tribes and early settlers, it later became vital for agriculture, river commerce, and the abolitionist movement. General William Lytle, a Revolutionary War veteran and pioneering surveyor, is remembered as the “Father of Clermont County.” The county is also the birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant, 18th U.S. President and Civil War General. His childhood home in Point Pleasant remains a historic treasure, reflecting Clermont’s lasting contributions to the nation’s story.
The Clermont County History & Museum
Passport is a free passport- designed to guide you on a journey through the county’s rich history.
Visit participating sites, collect stamps, and celebrate each location’s unique story.
Step 1
Grab your passport (You can pick up a passport at all museum locations)
Step 2
Visit each location at your leisure (Be sure to check location days and hours of operation)
Step 3
Stamp your passport
Step 4
Enjoy the journey
America 250
Clermont County is celebrating America 250 with vibrant art murals that showcase the area’s history and heritage. While exploring local historical museums, don’t forget to check out these murals and the stories they bring to life.
Bethel Historical Society and Museum
235 W. Plane St.
Bethel, OH 45106
513-734-0145
bethelmuseum.org
Hours of Operation: 1:00pm- 4:00pm on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.
*Private Tour Appointments Available.
The Bethel Historical Society and Museum was established in 1972 and is located in the Grant Memorial Building in Bethel, Ohio. Admission is always free. You can walk through at your own pace or a volunteer would be glad to give you a guided tour. Members are dedicated to preserving and promoting local history by providing an interesting, educational environment where visitors may appreciate and learn from
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historical displays. The Bethel Historical Society and Museum collects, preserves, and displays artifacts, writings, photographs, oral histories and stories that honor the generations who came before us.
Chilo Lock 34 Park and River Museum
521 County Park Rd.
Chilo, OH 45112
513-732-2977 (Park District Office)
clermontparks.org
Hours of Operation: Open April-October
Saturday: 10:30am-4:30pm
*Check website for specific dates and tour hours.
Located on the banks of the Ohio River, this 39–acre park features a historic river museum, wildlife nature preserves, river
walk and picnic shelters. The Chilo Lock 34 River Museum occupies the former operations building at the Ohio River Lock and Dam #34. Although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decommissioned the facility in 1964, the Clermont County Park District was able to renovate the building in 2005 as an interpretive visitor center and museum. With the theme of “Living and Working on the Ohio River”, the museum offers an interactive glimpse into the history of steamboats, river flooding, and working and living on the river.
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Clermont County Genealogical Society Collections
at the Batavia Branch Library
180 S. 3rd St.
Batavia, OH 45103
513-732-2128
ccgsoh.org
Hours of Operation:
Monday: 10:00am-8:00pm
Tuesday: 12:00pm-8:00pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Visit the Batavia Branch of the Clermont County Public Library, home to the Clermont County Genealogical Society which contains over 2,200 titles collected over the past 48 years. Explore local history books, family histories, maps, historic photographs,
cemetery records, and invaluable genealogical research files. The collection offers a unique window into the lives of more than 300 Revolutionary War patriots who became Clermont pioneers. Guided by their mission, the Clermont County Genealogical Society, is dedicated to collecting, protecting, and preserving the stories of past residents and families—ensuring their legacy is honored and shared for generations to come.
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Clermont County Historical Society
299 S. 3rd St.
Williamsburg OH 45176
513-753-8672
clermonthistory.org
Hours of Operation: 1:00pm-4:00pm on the 1st Saturday of each month.
*Private Tour Appointments Available.
Step back in time and uncover the stories that shaped Clermont County at the Clermont County Historical Society. Since 1958, they have been preserving the rich heritage of the community and inviting you to experience it firsthand. Explore the extensive archives filled with rare photographs, fascinating artifacts, and treasured documents that bring history to life for casual visitors and dedicated researchers alike. Come join for engaging monthly programs with cap-
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tivating guest speakers (February–October), or stop by our open house on the first Saturday of each month at the Harmony Hill Museum in Williamsburg. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious, there’s always something new to discover.
Goshen Township Historical Society
1843 St. Rt. 28
Goshen, OH 45122
513-613-4070
goshenhistory.org
Hours of Operation: 2:00pm-5:00pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. 2:00pm-5:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
Discover the rich history of Goshen Township at the Anchorage House and Museum, a beautifully preserved two-story stone home dating back to the early 1800s.
Step inside to explore fascinating exhibits showcasing artifacts from Goshen’s past, including historic photographs, pioneer tools, antique furnishings, and documents that tell the story of the families who built this community. Browse the onsite library to uncover genealogical records and local historical treasures. Just down the road, visit the 1803 Cook Log Cabin, where school children and visitors experience what life was like for early settlers. Wander the grounds to see original farm outbuildings, including a classic “bank barn,” and stop by the working Blacksmithing School to witness traditional craftsmanship in action.
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U.S Grant Birthplace
1551 St. Rt. 232
Point Pleasant, OH 45153
513-497-0492
ohiohistory.org
Hours of Operation: Open May-September
Wednesday-Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Monday-Tuesday: Closed
*October- April Private Tour Appointments Available.
Step back in time at the U.S. Grant Birthplace, the humble one-room cottage where Ulysses S. Grant–Civil War hero and 18th President of the United States–was born on April 27, 1822. Nestled in Point Pleasant, this historic site offers a unique glimpse into the early life of one of America’s most influential leaders. Visitors can explore fascinating artifacts from Grant and his family while
learning about his remarkable journey from small-town beginnings to national prominence. Admission is free, with donations appreciated, making it an easy and meaningful stop for history lovers, families, and anyone exploring Clermont County.
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ROSS GOWDY HOUSE MUSEUMHISTORIC NEW RICHMOND
125 George St. New Richmond, OH 45157
513-497-0492
Hours of Operation: Private Tour
Appointments Only. Call to Schedule.
Historic New Richmond, Inc. was founded in 1972. Shortly thereafter HNR acquired the Ross-Gowdy House, built in 1853. After restoration, HNR established a museum there. In 2013 students from Northern Kentucky University’s Master’s Degree in Public History program created exhibits featuring New Richmond’s prominence during the steamboat era and in the abolition movement. Exhibits bring stories to life about the founding and dramatic growth of New Richmond in the 19th century and prominent people involved in the Underground
Railroad. Visitors are encouraged to pick up a walking tour brochure and explore the historic sites of the vibrant Ohio River village of New Richmond.
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Loveland Historical Society
201 Riverside Dr. Loveland, OH 45140
513-683-5692
lovelandmuseum.org
Hours of Operation:
Open March-December
Saturday & Sunday: 1:00pm-4:00pm
*Weekday Appointments Available.
Step into the Loveland Museum Center, housed in the charming 1862 Bonaventure House-once the home of Dr. John S. Law, father of Loveland’s first mayor. Lovingly restored, its formal parlors, cozy family rooms, dining room, bedrooms, and kitchen transport visitors back to Victorian-era elegance. Dive deeper into history with the interactive digital display, where photos, maps, prints, and historical narratives bring the timeline
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of Loveland to life-highlighting stories like Nancy Ford Cones’s photography legacy, the Rich Family Log Cabin, local schools, and the famed “Loveland Valentine Ladies.”
Inside and out, the museum immerses you in the pioneer roots, industrial progress, and artistic spirit of Loveland through immersive exhibits, rotating displays, and educational storytelling.
Monroe Township Historical Society
1888 Laurel-Lindal Rd.
New Richmond, OH 45157
513-553-3043
Hours of Operation:
1:00pm- 4:00pm on the 1st Saturday of each month.
*Private Tour Appointments
Available. Monroe Township, established in 1825, is one of Clermont County’s earliest communities, rich with history and tradition. At its heart stands Laurel United Methodist Church, a cornerstone of faith since the 19th century, serving as both a spiritual and social gathering place for generations. The church is espe-
cially treasured for its striking stained-glass window honoring Ulysses S. Grant, who was born nearby in Point Pleasant. This unique window not only commemorates the 18th President and Civil War General but also reflects the township’s pride in its local roots, preserving a lasting connection between Monroe Township and American history.
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Owensville Historical Society
410 S. Broadway
Owensville, OH 45160
513-735-2440
owensvilleohiohistory.com
Hours of Operation: 2:00pm-5:00pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
The Village Museum is the home of the Owensville Historical Society. The lovely 1867 colonial home features artifacts and displays collected and maintained by the historical society.
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The artifacts, 1800’s to present, pertain to the citizens, schools and businesses of Owensville (previously known as Boston) and the surrounding area. The building and property, considered to be the home of John M. Pattison in his youth, was donated to Owensville by Agnes Gauche in 2003. Mrs. Gauche was a founding member of the historical society.
John M. Pattison, who became the 43rd Governor of Ohio, clerked in his father’s store and worked in the fields and farms of Boston to earn money for his education. The museum features monthly workshops, historical lectures and associated crafts.
Promont- Greater Milford Area Historical Society
906 Main St. Milford, OH 45150
513-248-0234 milfordhistory.net
Hours of Operation: 1:00pm-4:00pm on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of each month.
Private Tour Appointments Available.
The Promont Museum, located in Milford, Ohio, is a historic 19th-century mansion offering a glimpse into the area’s rich past. Once the home of Ohio Governor John Pattison, the mansion is now a museum showcasing period furnishings, historical exhibits, and local history. The Greater Milford Area Historical Society plays a key role in preserving and sharing the area’s history, with a focus on the community’s development from its early settlement days to the present. Together, the museum and historical society offer engaging educational programs, exhibits, and events that highlight Milford’s cultural heritage and history.
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Tristate Warbird Museum
4021 Borman Dr. Batavia, OH 45103
513-735-4500
tswm.org
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am-3:00pm
*Private Tour Appointments Available.
The Tri-State Warbird Museum opened in 2005 with a commitment to preserve World
War II aircraft, educate visitors on America’s role in WWII, and to honor the greatest generation for their service and sacrifice. Nestled beside the Clermont County Airport, this WWII aviation treasure preserves fully restored, flyable warbirds including legendary machines like the P-51D Mustang, B-25 Mitchell, TBM-3 Avenger, and more. Explore WWII exhibits and a period barracks and browse its rich library of wartime history.
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Williamsburg Harmony Hill Museum
299 S. 3rd St.
Williamsburg, OH 45176
513-907-9748
harmonyhillmuseum.com
Hours of Operation: 1:00pm-4:00pm on the 1st Saturday of each month.
*Private Tour Appointments Available.
Harmony Hill Museum is a non-profit organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, dedicated to promoting, supporting, nurturing and preserving local historical heritage through educational, historical, recreational and cultural activities, with the main focus being on the Williamsburg community.
The museum campus includes the homestead of Major General William Lytle, the
Dairy House, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, a replica of Lytle’s Land Office, a Carriage House and a pavillion. Displays, special programs and activities offer learning experiences to visitors and leave lasting impressions as the museum brings history to life.
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