National Road/Zane Grey Museum

The National Road/Zane Grey Museum

This modern museum has three major exhibit areas.  First is the National Road, early America’s busiest land artery to the West.  The National Road stretched from Baltimore, Maryland to East St. Louis, Illinois.  Approved in 1806, the “Main Street of America” was the only significant land link between the east coast and the western frontier in the early 19^th Century.  A 136-foot diorama of the National Road illustrates this theme.  An excellent collection of vehicles, including an authentic Conestoga wagon and the Ohio-made Peerless, show the chronology of the National Road.

The second exhibit is a tribute to Zanesville author, Zane Grey.  Grey is well-known for his western novels and he is known as the Father of the Adult Western.  His Californian study is recreated and displays include many manuscripts and other memorabilia.

Finally, a central portion of the museum is devoted to Zanesville art pottery, a stunning achievement of artists between 1880 and 1920.  This is a large part of the region’s heritage.

School tours are a specialty at the museum.  Students learn the story of the historic National Road and take a journey following the extensive diorama that portrays the National Road at various periods in history.  Exhibits illustrate how vehicle technology prompted improvements in road surfaces.

The museum is owned by the Ohio Historical Society, a non-profit organization that serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio’s history, archaeology and natural history.  The museum is operated by the John and Annie Glenn Museum Foundation which also operates the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site (johnglennhome.org) in nearby New Concord.  Driving tour brochures are available at each of the two sites to read and enjoy while traveling the 5-mile stretch of original road between the two.  The highlight of that tour is a beautifully renovated “S” Bridge, a unique feature of the National Road.

The museum also offers catered buffets for groups.  Please call for more information.

8850 East Pike

Norwich, OH  43767

Phone:  740-872-3143/800-752-2602

Hours:  May 1 – September 30; Wednesday – Saturday 10 – 4 and Sunday 1 – 4

Admission:  $7 adults; $6 seniors, $3 students; Free for Ohio Historical Society members and children ages 5 & under