The Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County was incorporated on March 4, 1890, as an outgrowth of the Muskingum County Pioneer Association and the Old Settlers Association. The mission of the new organization includes “preserving the memory of the pioneers who settled here, collecting items of historical significance, and preserving these intact for future generations”. The new organization occupied a room and maintained its collection in the old Memorial Hall on North Fifth Street, Zanesville. When that building was demolished in 1937, the organization moved its collection to the former Bailey home at the corner of Maple and Adair, sharing the building with the Zanesville Art Institute.

From 1937 to 1970 the Art Institute expanded and the space available for the Historical Society was reduced, making it impossible to accept gifts or add to the collection. In 1970, the Society finally acquired a permanent home when Mrs. F.F. Frazier bequeathed it the Dr. Increase Mathews House. A community-wide appeal provided the needed additional funding. The Stone Academy was willed to the Society in 1983 by Lydia McHenry Taylor on the condition it be operated as a museum.

Through the years the Society’s work has expanded to include preserving all the history of the county, co-sponsoring the publishing of books and pamphlets on historical subjects, publishing a twice-yearly local history journal, sponsoring and hosting meetings, events, and programs at the museums including the Zanesville Civil War Roundtable, and educating the children of the county by providing school tours and participating in the Muskingum County Passport Program.

Volunteers are needed to lead tours through our museums, greet and welcome visitors, help host programs and meetings, work at our museum gift shop, help in the office, and work on the grounds.