Black Horse Inn, new home for Underground Railroad Museum

BELMONT COUNTY, O.H. (WTRF) — The Black Horse Inn, believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad, will soon undergo a complete transformation to house the history and artifacts preserved by the Underground Railroad Museum.

Vice President of the Morristown Historic Preservation Association, Pamela McCort, says this building is more than bricks and mortar, it’s a place where people’s lives are rooted.

“When we look at a building like this, we see the people who’ve come before, we see the people who are here now and the people who’ll come after us. And so, bringing the Underground Railroad Museum here, restoring this iconic building preserves and creates something for the 21 ^st century.”

Pamela McCort, Vice President of the Morristown Historic Preservation Association

John Mattox Jr., chairman of the board of the Underground Railroad Museum, says he’s excited to carry on the legacy of his father in a new, transformative way.

“I feel really empowered by it because I’ve never really saw myself as being able to carry on a vision that large before. It’ll definitely be a lot easier to put one foot in front of the other and I’m really excited to see this turn from what it is now to what we have on sketch.”

John Mattox Jr., chairman of the board of the Underground Railroad Museum

Thanks to the efforts of Morristown and Belmont County, the Appalachian Community grant will fund the Black Horse Inn project and preserve two cornerstones of the area’s history.

“Being on national road is something really important and impressive and it’s the people that are really make it happen, the money gives them the tools but they’re the ones that will make the project successful.”

John Karey, governor’s office of Appalachia, alternate for Appalachian regional Commision

The project is set to be completed by October of 2026; all organizations involved are looking forward to the final product.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.