The Belmont County Historical Society will sponsor a special field trip to Raven Rocks on Thursday, July 9, offering participants the opportunity to explore one of southern Belmont County’s most remarkable natural and historical areas.
Participants will meet at the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum at 10:00 AM before carpooling to the site.
Located within Ohio’s Appalachian Plateau, Raven Rocks is known for its striking sandstone cliffs, ravines, extensive rock overhangs, and secluded waterfall. Originally referred to by early pioneers as the First Ravine of the Raven Rocks, the area takes its name from its dramatic overhanging ledges and unusual rock formations. The site also holds archaeological significance, with evidence showing repeated visits by Indigenous peoples of the Ohio and Captina Creek Valley over a period of more than 200 years.
The field trip will be guided by John Boilegh, an archaeologist and popular public speaker known for his engaging educational presentations. Boilegh studied anthropology at Franciscan University of Steubenville with an emphasis in archaeology and has built a career in cultural resource management, archaeological surveys, and preservation work. He is currently employed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, where he works with coal companies to ensure new mining operations meet state requirements for protecting cultural and archaeological sites.
Those planning to attend should be prepared for outdoor conditions and a short hike. Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and water are recommended.
The event if free to attend, but donations will be accepted. No registration is necessary for the event.
Join the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum for a spooky night under October’s fall sky! Activities include cemetery tours, psychic readings, and a silent movie on the back lawn.
This year’s graveyard tour features Barnesville’s Northern Cemetery. Participants will learn Barnesville’s history through the stories of the people buried there. Tours will leave the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum at 3:30 pm and at 5:30 pm. The tour is approximately one mile long and takes place on uneven ground. Please wear appropriate shoes. The tour is approximately an hour.
From 2:00-7:00 pm, mediumship and psychic readings are available from Rev. Carol Borkoski, Julie Yeksky, Rev. Tara Harkless, and Bonnie Franchuk. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Victorian mansion at 740-425-2926. The cost is $30 per person for a 20-minute session. Victorian psychic readings were popularized by the Spiritualist movement, which was based on the belief that the living could communicate with the dead through a medium during a seance. Modern readings are often entertainment-based and involve methods like tarot cards and palmistry.
Finally, a screening of the 1922 film Nosferatu on the mansion’s back lawn will begin at 6:30 pm. This German film was an unauthorized adaptation of Brom Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula. The film is regarded as a cinematic masterpiece and a template for the horror genre. Please bring your own chairs and blankets. Freshly popped popcorn, s’mores, candy, and beverages will be available for purchase.
For more information about the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum and its events, visit their webpage or Facebook page. You can also call the Victorian Mansion at 740-425-2926.