Our House Tavern Museum - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Memorial Day --through August. 10:00am-4:00pm. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday September--October. 10:00am-4:00pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday November and December 10:00am-4:00pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Trial period) January-May Appointments Call 1-740-446-0586

740-446-0586

Adults-$5.00 Seniors- $4.00 Students-$1.00 Bus Tour-$50.00 Veterans and members of the Ohio Historical Connection are free

lat: 38.8078489 long: -82.2034768

Our House Tavern museum is a three-story, Federal style brick Tavern that was built in Gallipolis by Henry Cushing and his sister Elizabeth Cushing Foster in 1819. In addition to the taproom, dining rooms, Summer kitchen, and beautifully landscaped courtyard, the Tavern boasted a large ballroom for social functions.

On May 22,1825, General Lafayette visited Gallipolis with a large turnout of townspeople while being entertained by the Our House Tavern. Dr.Charles and Alma Holzer purchased the property in 1933, renovated it and in 1944 turned it over to the Ohio Historical Connection as a memorial to the French 500 families who founded Gallipolis in October 17, 1790.

Today, guests can tour this restored brick Federal-style tavern to see the taproom, dining room and other facilities typical of the inns and taverns that hosted travelers in Ohio’s early years. Gallipolis was settled by several hundred French immigrants and each spring the community celebrates the anniversary of the 1825 visit to Gallipolis and Our House by the Marquis de Lafayette, a French general who aided the Americans during the Revolutionary War.

Taproom bar area

Taproom bar area

Randall and Samantha Fulks as Henry and Elizabeth

Randall and Samantha Fulks as Henry and Elizabeth

1850 era piano owned b Claudius Menager

1850 era piano owned b Claudius Menager

French settlers story

French settlers story

Settlers cabins built in city park

Settlers cabins built in city park

General Lafayette 1825

General Lafayette 1825

General Lafayette's jacket. Worn here in 1825.

General Lafayette's jacket. Worn here in 1825.

Violin that was played during General Lafayette's visit in 1825

Violin that was played during General Lafayette's visit in 1825

Teapot used to serve drinks during General Lafayette's visit in 1825

Teapot used to serve drinks during General Lafayette's visit in 1825

4'6" Petite Dr. Saugrain, French settler

4'6" Petite Dr. Saugrain, French settler

Col. Robert Safford, built settlers cabins and was Judge of Gallipolis

Col. Robert Safford, built settlers cabins and was Judge of Gallipolis

Story of Col. Safford, did first hanging in Gallipolis

Story of Col. Safford, did first hanging in Gallipolis

Collage of inside tavern

Collage of inside tavern

Collage of outside and inside of museum

Collage of outside and inside of museum

September 25, 2021

September 25, 2021

Char Waughtel

Dr. and Mrs. Saugrain

Dr. and Mrs. Saugrain

Dr. Saugrain

Dr. Saugrain Biography

Dr. Saugrain Biography

Genevieve Saugrain

Genevieve Saugrain

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Gallia County Genealogical Society, OGS Chapter

Gallia County Genealogical Society, OGS Chapter

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Ariel Opera House

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Gallia County Historical Society

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The French Art Colony

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Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

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Here’s a summary of a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages Nati

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Knife River area, according to archaeological studies, has been inhabited by people for over 11,000 years. For hundreds of years it was a significant place of trade for the local tribes, a characteristic that would eventually be used to the advantage of fur traders starting in 1750. It remained a place of trade and mixing cultures until a smallpox epidemic decimated the population in 1837. Following this, the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara moved north and established another village.

During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Knife River villages were flourishing, providing a booming trading economy in what is modern-day North Dakota. It was from one of these villages that a young woman by the name of Sacagawea would emerge and take her place in the history of the expedition. She was Shoshone and had been taken captive by the Hidatsa during a raid against her tribe before she was won or otherwise purchased by French Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park has a visitors center as well as a rebuilt earthlodge which holds replica artifacts in the summer months. Knowledgeable park rangers are available for tours, and there are multiple trails of varying lengths that are available to hike. There are birding checklists available in the visitors center, so make sure to pick one up so you can keep an eye out for the various bird varieties that are present at the site.

https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #kniferiver #kniferiverindianvillagesnationhistoricsite #nationalparkservice #northdakota