Governor, First Lady Celebrate Future Home of
Belmont County Underground Railroad Museum
 Appalachian Community Grant Program Supports Renovations at Historic Black Horse Inn
(MORRISTOWN, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited Belmont County today to celebrate the launch of restoration work at the historic Black Horse Inn in Morristown.
The building, which dates back to 1807, was a well-known stop for stagecoaches and westbound travelers along Old National Road. The site was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Once restored, the building will become the new home of Belmont County's Underground Railroad Museum, which is currently located in Flushing, Ohio.
"When we invest in buildings like the Black Horse Inn, we help turn historic spaces into destinations that people want to visit and experience, and that means more tourism, more support for local businesses, and more opportunities for visitors to see what makes Appalachian Ohio so special," said Governor DeWine. "Soon, families, school groups, and others will come here to learn, to reflect, and to discover more of what Belmont County has to offer."
The renovations are being funded with nearly $4 million from Governor DeWine's Appalachian Community Grant Program. The program is investing a total of $500 million in Ohio's 32 Appalachian counties to reinvigorate local communities, rebuild local economies, and revitalize historic downtown districts.
Instead of a traditional groundbreaking, participants held lanterns to celebrate the beginning of construction. Lanterns were often used as a signal of safe havens along the Underground Railroad.
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