The Ritchie County Historical Society was formed in 1973 and purchased the Old Stone House on June 20, 1977. The building, constructed in 1810 -1815, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The historical society, with the aid of many friends, has transformed the Old Stone House into a museum of 20+ rooms and a genealogy library.
The society also helped establish an historical exhibit at the I.O.O.F. Lodge in Cairo, leases the old B & O Railroad depot in Pennsboro with plans to restore it for use as a museum, information center and community building. The society also has a display in the General Thomas M. Harris School Museum in Harrisville.
Publications available from the society are:
1. The History of Ritchie County by Minnie Kendal Lowther - $40.00 donation + $4.50 postage.
2. Ritchie County, WV Cemeteries – Through 1993 - $40.00 donation + $4.50 postage.
3. A Photographic History of Ritchie Co., WV - $40.00 donation + $4.50 postage.
4. Northwestern Turnpike Map and booklet - $30.00 donation + $3.50 postage.
5. Illustrated Industrial Edition of Ritchie County (1905) - $5.00 donation + $3.00 postage.
6. Ritin’ & Railin’ (Stories of B & O and Ritchie’s 3 other RR’s) - $5.00 donation + $3.50 postage.
7. North Bend Rail Trail Guide by Charlene Lattea - $20.00 + $4.50 donation postage.
8. The Irish Immigration Into Ritchie Co., WV by Janet Hodge - $15.00 donation + $3.00 postage.

Society membership – Annual dues are $10.00 and based on the calendar year. Members receive quarterly newsletters. The society meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month, February through October. Interested parties are encouraged to attend.
To obtain any of the above publications and/or join the historical society, send a check or money order, payable to the society, to the society’s address posted above. To learn more about the historical society, schedule a tour of the depot, museum or use the genealogy library, contact any of the following:

Charles Dotson, 304-659-3962
Diane Cox, 304-659-3555
David Scott, 304-643-2738
Suzanne Hadley, 304-643-4880.