Belmont County Tourism Highlights America250 Plans, Events and New Initiatives
Belmont County Tourism Executive Director Jackee Pugh shared a tourism update with the Belmont County commissioners last Thursday, highlighting upcoming America250 initiatives, tourism events and regional partnerships.
“I appreciate the opportunity to come in and share some of the exciting stuff that we have going on in this very historic year, not only in Belmont County, but also in America,” she said. “2026 marks the semi quincentennial, a word I never thought I would have to say so much in my life. It is known as the 250th anniversary of America, a once in a generation milestone.”
In addition to America’s 250th birthday, Belmont County is celebrating its 225th anniversary.
Pugh said the tourism office is approaching the anniversaries as more than dates on a calendar.
“There are opportunities to reflect on who we are, where we came from and where we’re going,” she said. “There are opportunities to celebrate our community, our honor, our heritage, and engage our residents, to welcome visitors and create a sense of pride throughout the county.”
The tourism office has brought together stakeholders from schools, local governments, historical societies, museums and small businesses to collaborate on events across the county. Pugh said partners involved with America250 initiatives include Barnesville Mayor Jake Hershberger, representatives from Bellaire and the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society, Bridgeport officials, local chamber members and more.
Among the initiatives underway is a countywide America250 event guide that will share the community celebrations.
The office is also creating a community time capsule intended to capture a snapshot of life in Belmont County today, including residents’ values, hopes and stories for future generations.
“It’s a symbolic and meaningful way to connect our past, present and future,” Pugh said.
She noted the state of Ohio is also creating several time capsules, including one at the Ohio State Fair in August that will include all 88 counties.
This fall, the tourism office plans to engage high school art students across Belmont County schools through an America250 art contest. One winning piece from each participating school will be transformed into a large-scale mural displayed in the student’s community. The original artwork will also be displayed at the Belmont County Courthouse.
“We love this initiative because it ties in student creativity,” Pugh said. “It gives us their youth and ownership of this big anniversary, and it helps beautify our communities.”
Through a partnership with the Ohio Valley Mall, the tourism office also created coloring sheets for younger children. The sheets can be turned in at the mall information center, where monthly winners will receive prizes. The artwork will also be displayed in empty storefronts throughout the mall.
“These efforts are more than just commemorating history,” Pugh said. “There are opportunities to strengthen community pride, encourage visitation, engage our younger generations and showcase Belmont County’s role in both Ohio and American history.”
Pugh attended Ohio Tourism Day at the Ohio Statehouse last week, where communities from across the state gathered to promote tourism and share what makes their areas unique.
“We have so much to offer visitors,” Pugh said. “It was rewarding to represent our county and continue building that awareness again this year.”
She said interest in Belmont County attractions was strong, noting that brochures for the Underground Railroad Museum were gone within 45 minutes.
Next week, the tourism office will participate in several events, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Barkcamp State Park for the renovation of the barn. The project includes new displays highlighting the mid-1800s homestead and investments in the county’s outdoor recreation and park infrastructure.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is leading the project in partnership with the tourism office.
On Tuesday, Pugh will join representatives from COSI at the Black Horse Inn in Morristown. COSI and Fire Watch Design are building and installing exhibits for the Underground Railroad Museum.
Pugh said the nearly 200-year-old building sat vacant for years before restoration efforts began, but with construction and renovations, the building looks like it’s going to last another 200 years.
On Thursday, the tourism office will host a presentation about the Wall That Heals, which will come to Belmont County in October. The event is intended to remind residents about the project and encourage community involvement.
The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It is a traveling tribute honoring the more than three million Americans who served in the Vietnam War and the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. People may read more about The Wall That Heals traveling to Belmont County here.
The office is also preparing to welcome Run for the Wall riders over Memorial Day weekend. Approximately 350 motorcyclists traveling cross-country from California to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will stop in Belmont County on Sunday evening before continuing to Marseilles, Illinois, home of the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial.
The riders are expected to arrive in St. Clairsville around 5 p.m. May 24 when they will be dinner guests of the tourism office.
Pugh encouraged residents to line the streets with flags to welcome the riders.
She noted watching 350 motorcyclists ride together is impressive.
Starting at 7:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 25, the tourism office will host a community celebration in downtown St. Clairsville. Main Street near the courthouse will close as riders travel five motorcycles wide from Huntington Bank to the Belmont County Heritage Museum.
The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the American Legion Post 159 and the St. Clairsville High School marching band.
“Events like these just continue to reinforce the importance of community connection that we have here in Belmont County,” Pugh said.
Pugh also announced the tourism office recently welcomed Sarah Ochap as its new bookkeeper and office manager. She replaces Mary Ann Domyan, who retired at the end of April after serving as fiscal officer for a decade.
Belmont County Tourism Executive Director Jackee Pugh (left) and new bookkeeper and office manager Sarah Ochap (right) stand together. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photo.
Two additional positions remain open within the tourism office, including heritage museum curator and digital marketing specialist.
Pugh said the positions are important to supporting visitor engagement and expanding the office’s marketing outreach efforts.
She also shared that she was selected as a Leadership Ohio fellow, one of 35 participants statewide and one of only three representing Appalachian Ohio.
Pugh said the experience allows her to participate in conversations that reinforce Belmont County’s growing recognition as a regional leader in tourism, heritage preservation and placemaking efforts.
In June, Belmont County will host site visits connected to an Appalachian Ohio placemaking study funded through an Appalachian Regional Council READY grant. Pugh said the visits are part of broader discussions surrounding tourism development, downtown revitalization and regional collaboration.
She said the grant-funded research will help communities better identify and market regional narratives to attract visitors.
Pugh also spoke about its Bigfoot-themed geocaching geo-tour, an outdoor scavenger hunt that uses GPS coordinates through a mobile app. The tour features 22 geocaches hidden throughout Belmont County.
She added the tour is for visitors to experience every corner of the county.
Pugh concluded by emphasizing the importance of community partnerships in supporting tourism efforts throughout the county.
“Our partners are the ones who are organizing festivals and events, volunteering at the local museums, businesses that are sponsoring these initiatives, and residents who are showing up and attending …,” Pugh said. “Tourism truly is a community wide effort. Our small businesses, nonprofits, historical societies and local governments, volunteers, community organizations all play a role in this.”
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