Washington County Historical Society

10/13/2026

09/23/2026

Due to surgery, the Henry Fearing house will be closed until October 13, 2026. The business office will remain open.

09/23/2026

No photo description available.


WASHINGTON COUNTY’S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY

PRESENTED BY TY MAYLE
424 GEORGE STREET, MARIETTA, OHIO 45750
OCTOBER 5, 2026 @ 6:30PM
Open to the public



Speaker Biography

Ty Mayle is a curatorial assistant at the Belpre Historical Society and Farmers Castle Museum, where he leads research and public outreach initiatives. A Marshall University student majoring in Information Technology and Geography (Class of 2027), Ty focuses his work on the museum's Underground Railroad Gallery and expanding the historical documentation established by the late historian Henry R. Burke. Originally from the Charleston, West Virginia area, Ty now resides in Belpre, Ohio. He is a direct descendant of Washington County’s historic multiracial community through the Mayle and Ward families.





Presentation Overview

Washington County's Underground Railroad History

This presentation explores the origins, network, and impact of the Underground Railroad in Washington County, Ohio.

The Frontier Roots: How early settlement patterns on the Ohio frontier shaped the region's anti-slavery sentiments and early resistance efforts.
Network Mechanics: An examination of the local conductors, safe houses, and secret routes that formed a vital lifeline to freedom.
The Civil War Prelude: How the local network evolved and intensified its operations during the turbulent years leading up to the Civil War

09/16/2026

You’ve been asking… so we are delivering!
(& Viva is helping us host!)

Halloween Dance Party at The Anchorage 👻

One mansion. One fun night. And a few guests who may have never left…

Step beyond the doors of The Anchorage, a magnificent 1859 Italianate mansion with a haunting history, for a Halloween party unlike any other. On this very special night, the living and the spirits come together for an evening of music, dancing, costumes, drinks, and just the right amount of supernatural mischief.

Put on your most creative, outrageous, glamorous, terrifying, or downright otherworldly costume and dance the night away with our resident house guests from another realm. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of one of them enjoying the party alongside you.

Come in Costume. Maybe Leave with a Prize.
Show off your Halloween spirit during our costume contests, with prizes awarded to some of the evening's best looks. Whether you're channeling a ghostly Victorian, a sinister creature, a classic movie monster, or something no one has ever seen before, this is your chance to make an entrance.

Enjoy music, dancing, drinks, and snacks as you explore the first floor of The Anchorage Mansion. Just remember: not everyone you encounter may be on the guest list…

🕯️ Party With a Purpose

This hauntingly good evening is presented by Hidden Marietta in partnership with the Washington County Historical Society & Dark Discoveries Tours, with all proceeds benefiting the continued restoration of The Anchorage Mansion.

Your ticket doesn't just buy you a night of Halloween fun, it helps preserve one of Marietta's historic treasures for generations to come.

$30 Per Person — Limited Tickets!
Tickets are limited, and this is one Halloween party you don't want to miss.

Additional parking is available at the Boys & Girls Club parking lot and the Harmar Place nursing home side lot. Guests parked at these locations can be escorted to The Anchorage by golf cart, so you can leave the long walk to the spirits.

So gather your favorite witches, ghosts, monsters, and mischief-makers. Choose your costume. Bring your dancing shoes.

The Anchorage is waiting.

And if the stories are true…
you won't be the only ones dancing.

((Tours of the building will NOT be available during be the event. No access to upper floors of the building))

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/hiddenmarietta/items/759276/?full-items=yes&flow=no

08/23/2026

FEARING HOUSE!

Step back in time and explore the historic Fearing House, a landmark with a rich past and a reputation for the paranormal, located in the Harmar neighborhood of Marietta, Ohio. Built in 1847 for Henry Fearing, the son of one of the Northwest Territory's first lawyers, this Federal-style home has stood for over 175 years. The Fearing family were significant figures in the area, with Henry's father, Paul Fearing, owning vast tracts of land that helped shape the development of the Harmar district. Today, the Fearing House serves as a museum, meticulously restored to interpret middle-class life during the Victorian era of the 1860s. But it's not just history that draws visitors. The house is a hotspot for paranormal activity and offers guided ghost tours where you can learn about the lives and tragedies of the Fearing family. Visitors and security cameras have reportedly captured some unsettling phenomena, including unexplained footsteps and whispers, cold spots, and objects that appear to move on their own. Strange lights resembling a red ball of fire have also been reported outside the building. The museum is open for tours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm, and at other times when the open sign is displayed. The Fearing House also hosts special events throughout the year, including spooky lantern-led ghost tours every Friday and Saturday from September to October. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a paranormal investigator, the Henry Fearing House offers a unique and chilling glimpse into the past.

#1847

08/19/2026

All set up for today's boat tours.

08/07/2026

Our first visitor to watch the presentation due to steps. She was very impressed!