We love visiting historical sites around the state and this one did not disappoint. There is a…read moresmall museum at the entrance that you can explore while you wait for your tour. You can only visit the inside of the house on a tour so made sure to note the times on the day of your visit. Brittany was our tour guide and she was fantastic. So many interesting facts were shared and the inside of the house was beautiful. Make sure to stop by the place that inspired the state seal while you are here

Worthington family history, early chillicothe and starting Ohio history...whats not to love. There…read moreis alot of walking but the grounds and other buildings are neat to see. The mansion is nicely done with some legit family heirlooms and lots of period correct furnishings. The museum is small but nice. Not busy on Sunday afternoon and very fair price. My only complaint is the length of tour, almost 2 full hours, its too much. Mt. Vernon, Monticello, other historical homes 'more important' are half that.

How has this not been reviewed already? It's an amazing museum…read more I came often as a kid since my grandparents lived nearby. It was just in one house then, a pretty typical small-town historical society with stuff crammed in display cases, and filling every room down to the basement. Cool for a history buff, but nothing spectacular. We went yesterday as part of the Ohio Statehood Day events, and, wow. They have added the house next door, and an addition in the back, and it is now an incredible museum. The volunteers were very friendly and knowledgeable. The displays are beautiful and informative. All aspects of local history are covered. There are train sets, dolls, military artifacts, cars, covered wagons... All sorts of things, nicely restored. During our visit there was old-time music, a special display of early American weapons, costumed interpreters, etc. They said they decorate for Christmas with historical toys and decorations. We had a great visit and stayed till closing time. I would set aside at least an hour, better 2 or 3. This is a local gem, and worth a detour from anywhere in the state.

I saw this marker on the map and with the strange name, I knew that I had to drive up the hill to…read moresee what it was all about. And it's interesting but not worth the journey, only because it's private property and the beautiful home is very well hidden behind big trees. The marker reads, "This classic Gothic Revival home built in the early 1850s, was one of Ohio's early wineries with terraced hillside vineyards overlooking the city of Chillicothe. From 1919 until his death in 1966, it served as the home and working studio of noted American craftsman, artist, and historian Dard Hunter. A major artistic contributor to the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early twentieth century, Hunter gained international recognition when in 1916 he became the first individual in the history of printing to produce all aspects of a book by hand. Eight of the twenty books he wrote on the history of paper were printed at this site. Hunter is regarded as the world's leading authority on the history of paper and his artistic achievements have had an enduring impact on American Graphic Arts." It is marker number 13-71 and it was erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and The Ohio Historical Society. Maybe stop by after the leaves have fallen to get a better view. [Review 945 of 2026 - 324 in Ohio - 26125 overall]

This marker tells a lot of history of the goings on here in Washington Court House at the Fayette…read moreCounty Court House. It's worth a stop and even more so if you can do it during business hours when the courthouse is open. On the one side, "On October 16, 1894, a crowd gathered outside the courthouse with intent to lynch alleged attacker William "Jasper" Dolby. Governor William McKinley ordered Ohio National Guard troops sent in to subdue the crowd. The mob was initially thwarted, but on October 17, while Dolby awaited transportation from the jail to the courthouse, the riots intensified. Despite Dolby's guilty plea to rape and a 20-year sentence, the crowd sought vengeance. They rushed the courthouse doors, and were warned to "disperse or be fired upon." They ignored the warning and continued to batter the doors. Colonel Alonzo B. Coit ordered his troops to fire through the courthouse doors; five men were killed. Colonel Coit was indicted for manslaughter and was acquitted at trial. After the trial, Governor McKinley stated, "The law was upheld as it should have been...but in this case at fearful cost... Lynching cannot be tolerated in Ohio." The bullet holes are still visible in the south doors of the courthouse." On the reverse, "Opened on May 1, 1885, this is the third Fayette County Court House building. Ohio artist Archibald Willard, who is best known for the patriotic painting, "The Spirit of '76," was commissioned by the firm Cooks Brothers to do painting and fresco work for the interior walls of the courthouse. Willard did not sign his work and the artist's identity remained a mystery for nearly 75 years until confirmation was made in August 1956. The artist's name was cleverly disguised in the delivery address of the letter in "The Spirit of the U.S. Mail" mural. The other primary murals, "Spirit of Electricity" and "Spirit of the Telegraph," adorn the third floor corridor." It is marker number 1-24 and it was erected in 2002 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Fayette County Travel and Tourism Bureau, and The Ohio Historical Society. [Review 950 of 2026 - 328 in Ohio - 26129 overall]

Most folks might not know that Columbus wasn't always the capital of Ohio and this marker is here…read moreto remind you that Chillicothe was the first state capital. The marker stands in front of the Ross County Courthouse and while this building is new, it's in the spot where the courthouse used to be. The marker reads, "Ross County's first courthouse was Ohio's first statehouse. The courthouse was erected on the Public Square in 1801. Thomas Worthington, one of the building's superintendents, laid out the foundation. Chillicothe was the last capital of the Northwest Territory, and the final session of the territorial legislature met in the courthouse in 1801. Ohio's first constitution was written here in 1802. On March 1, 1803, Ohio's first General Assembly convened in the building, making it the statehouse. During a time of strained relations between Native Americans and settlers in Ohio, the great Shawnee leader Tecumseh delivered a speech here in 1807 to reassure citizens that the Indians would remain peaceful. The courthouse served as the statehouse from 1803 to 1810 and from 1812 to 1816. The building was razed in 1852 to make way for the present courthouse." It is marker number 3-71 and it was erected in 2000 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Chillicothe & Ross County 2003 Commission of Chillicothe's Bicentennial Commission, Ross County Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. [Review 941 of 2026 - 320 in Ohio - 26121 overall]

The Fayette County Courthouse in Washington Court House is a striking Second Empire landmark…read morecompleted in 1885 and designed by David W. Gibbs & Company. Gibbs is also responsible for the Union County Courthouse in Marysville, the Butler County Courthouse in Hamilton and the Henry County Courthouse in Napoleon. He also was the architect chosen to design the original Wyoming territorial capitol which became the state capitol when Wyoming entered the Union. The building is three-stories tall with a Bedford limestone exterior, arched windows, Ionic-columned porticos and a tall clock tower that give it a grant, almost monumental presence in the center of town. I didn't get to see the interior murals by Archibald Willard, but the gazebo outside and memorial outside made the visit worthwhile. Fayette County was formed in 1810 and named for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who fought in the American Revolution. The county seat was originally Bloomingburg, but it moved to Washington Court House in 1812, where it has remained ever since. Even without going inside, the courthouse's scale and architectural detail make it an impressive stop, especially when you can walk the grounds in quiet late-day sunlight. [Review 948 of 2026 - 326 in Ohio - 26127 overall]

great food..fantastic accommodations. great staff..plenty of hot water. good laundry. recreation…read moredept is five stars.*****

Meh, it's a penitentiary. Not proud to have it in the past, but it is what it is. Two numbers…read morecompleted here, the other was at Noble. From the ominous stone exterior with numerous wings and dorms hold many men in its depths. Lots of bad men, but even more not so bad men. I would even call some residents and staff here friends then, now, and in the future. Staff.... Well this aint no country club, but it ain't Attica either. Give respect get respect. Food was okay, never wrote home about it. Hope to not go back, but I hope to win the lottery and have the Browns win the Super Bowl too! Haha Rehabilitated enough to be a Rolex wearin', drone flyin', Toyota drivin', middle class subdivision livin' son of a gun. Want to check it out, but not become "enrolled"? Go to a Chillicothe Paints baseball game just down the street and you can see the outside walls.

An attractive, fairly small courthouse. Stopped in to see about a parking ticket. My fault, but…read moreconfusing meter placement, so I wanted to try not to have to pay it. Turns out, this is the place you pay tickets; you need to talk to the police department if you are disputing it. The staff here were great. Security tried to answer my ticket questions, and directed me to a counter. The lady there gave Baby K a sucker, and explained what I needed to do, giving me the phone number for the police and tips on navigating the phone system, who to talk to, etc. All in all a pleasant experience here, plus I did end up fixing the ticket with their help. Parking around back and on streets nearby, but be careful and read the signage- you don't want to get a ticket while dealing with another one...