HistoryHERITAGE &

Learn more about the rich history, culture and heritage that is celebrated and honored in

Belmont County.

Since 1992, the Barton Polka Festival has celebrated its local Polish heritage with an atmosphere of fun and food. Around 1,700 people come out each year to feast on homemade cabbage rolls, kielbasa, sauerkraut and pierogies and to listen to polka bands. “We have numerous people that travel from Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Indiana each year for the fest,” says Jeff Gazdik, who chairs the event with his wife, Cara, every year. With such popularity, the festival has become the largest and oldest festival of its kind in a 60-mile radius.

Great Stone Viaduct

There are few structures in Belmont County as iconic as the Great Stone Viaduct. For over 150 years, the towering stone arches have greeted visitors to Bellaire — a lasting reminder of the impact of railroads in the area. Now, visitors can explore the viaduct for themselves; as of this past October, a 20-arch portion of the stone viaduct is open to the public as a converted walking trail, including a new plaza and overlook. Stroll along the trail for stunning views, and admire the beauty and vastness behind this monument to engineering.

Underground Railroad Museum

Considered a hidden gem in Belmont County, the Underground Railroad Museum (which is part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program) strives to help us all understand slavery and the culture during that period of history. Belmont County’s population of anti-slavery Quaker settlers and its location along the

Ohio River made it essential in the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement. The museum collection includes more than 8,000 items, which can be seen in person or virtually. See the newest exhibit, “Our Local Heroes,” which highlights those from Belmont County who participated in the fight for freedom.

While you’re visiting Belmont County, don’t overlook its plethora of museums dedicated to celebrating the area’s unique history, from quirky LEGO sculptures to elegant glassware.

The Bellaire Toy & Plastic Brick Museum

Known as the unofficial LEGO museum, this rotating collection of building brick sculptures (think larger-than-life replicas of Dora the Explorer and the

Belmont County Heritage Museum

The former home of the Belmont County sheriff and site of the adjoining county jail, this St. Clairsville museum now pays tribute to the county’s history with eight rooms full of displays, artifacts and memorabilia.