Muskingum 250 Celebration Begins

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Ohio’s pioneering efforts that set the precedent for America’s westward expansion.

Muskingum 250 Committee Chair Rebecca Carr announced a series of events that will bring light to those efforts that helped to shape the future of Muskingum County and beyond.

“We are a sub committee of Muskingum County History. We are a 10-person, all volunteer committee from… with members from organizations from all over Muskingum County. And we are charged with organizing events and programs to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Our focus, we really want to celebrate our nation’s independence. So our focus is on the patriots and the pioneers who settled here in this region of Ohio,” Carr said.

Muskingum 250’s first event will feature Dr. Brandon Downing discussing early Ohio’s influence on the Northwest Territory legislation that incorporated the procedures for future settlement.

“Well, Ohio history is all of our story,” Carr said. “We all have roots that go way back, whether we know it or not. So, knowing the story of the people who settled this area really gives us an appreciation of the lives that we have today. And we, we stand on their shoulders basically. So, it gives us pride in our community, a pride in our state and the people who founded it.”

Muskingum 250’s inaugural event will be held 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, at Ohio University Zanesville’s room W-110; located at 1425 Newark Road. You can find more information about Wednesday’s event online.