Captina Science Pub: History of Dysart Woods

By Lisa Gallagher, Barnesville Area News

(Sarah Scott photo)

Dr. Jacqueline Yahn, associate professor at Ohio University, provided an invocative talk to a full house at the Main Street Barrel House Friday night.    

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On Friday, April 4, 2025, community members gathered at Main Street Barrel House for the Captina Science Pub, featuring Dr. Jacqueline Yahn’s talk Dysart Woods: ‘Well then, just leave it alone.’ Dr. Yahn is an Associate Professor at Ohio University, the granddaughter of the first caretakers of Dysart Woods, Bill and Bernice Bartels (1968-1994), and the niece of the second caretakers, Mitch and Anne Bartels (1994-2004). Growing up around the Dysart Woods farm, located 5 miles from the village of Belmont on Ohio State Route 147, and interacting with researchers, students, and visitors shaped Yahn’s research focus on natural resource extraction and rural community vitality.

After dinner, Yahn began her talk by discussing the definition of community-engaged research and how oral history and written records play a role in her research. Yahn is finding primary sources about the Dysart family and Dysart Woods history using the Ohio University archives, Captina Conservancy archives, and the Belmont County District Library. With her extended family sitting in the back of the room, she shared her family’s personal stories about being a part of Dysart Woods’ history. Family pictures and letters are being found as she conducts her research. Throughout her talk, Yahn showed how community support and relationships have continued the conservation of Dysart Woods. Yahn shared that her favorite spot is along the Red Trail where the working and conservation landscapes intersect. She stated that this spot is a great place to reflect on how the two can co-exist. “Looking one way, you see the working farm and behind you is the woods containing 400 to 500-year-old trees.”

(Sarah Scott photo)

Several members of  Dr. Jacqueline Yahn’s extended Bartels family who have a long relationship with Dysart Woods joined her for her Captina Conservandy presentation on April 4.      

In 1813, Miles Hart first settled the land that makes up Dysart Woods. Henderson Dysart acquired the property in 1902 and built the farmhouse seen on the property today. As the land was handed down to five generations, parts of the 455-acre plot were cleared for farming, but about 55 acres of the original woodlands remained untouched. When Orien B. Dysart died in 1959, his nieces Gladys Dysart McGaughy and Margaret Dysart, who were sisters, inherited the land. Over the years, lumber and coal companies offered to purchase the land. Exemplifying oral history, Yahn shared a story about Gladys recalling a conversation with Orien B. and what to do with the land. Gladys originally retold this story to Bill Bartels, who retold it in various interviews. Gladys asked, “Do you need the money?” Orien responded that he really did not need any more money and that things were good. So, Gladys allegedly responded, “Well then, just leave it alone.” This is when the conscious decision was made that the Dysart Woods would remain untouched.

In 1962, Gladys and Margaret agreed to sell the inherited property to the Nature Conservancy for the nominal price of $50,000. The property was then transferred to Ohio University in 1966 and became the Dysart Woods Laboratory. Dysart Woods became a National Natural Landmark in 1967. Bill Bartels, one of the original professors at Ohio University Eastern, and his wife, Bernice, moved into the farmhouse and became the first caretakers of the Dysart Woods. Bartels actively farmed part of the land. Ohio University created two hiking trails and opened them to the public. The land laboratory was used to conduct studies on tree dynamics, hydrology, moss and lichen communities, and more.

In 2018, Dysart Woods was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network. According to its website, Dysart Woods “is the only known remaining remnant of the Mixed Mesophytic Forest type located in Ohio, and one of only several in the entire central Appalachians.” Dysart Woods includes trees over 400 years old and several that range over 4 feet in diameter. White Oak, Red Oak, and Tulip Poplar are a few of the species found in the woods.

In 2023, Captina Conservancy acquired Dysart Woods from Ohio University. Ellie Ewing, the Executive Director of Captina Conservancy, pursued and received a Clean Ohio Green Space Grant administered by the Public Works Commission. With Ohio University’s and other community support, Ellie stated that Captina was able to become the steward of Dysart Woods and to hire Marshall Dyer to be the Dysart Woods Land Protection Manager. Sarah Scott, granddaughter of Bill and Bernice Bartels, made and won a private bid to purchase the homestead house. She and her fiancé plan to renovate and restore the home, continuing the Bartels’ legacy at Dysart Woods.

(Sarah Scott photo)

For more information about Dysart Woods, Captina Conservancy, and its events, please visit captina.org or its Facebook page. Check the Barnesville News Community Calendar for their upcoming events. Dysart Woods is open from sunrise to sunset.

(Sarah Scott photo)

Research material on Dysart Woods was available to review at the April 4 program.