Agriculture has stood as the heart of Brown County's economic success from the days of the 1800’s through today. Items representing this heritage include tools and equipment synonymous with tobacco farming, raising hogs for profit, wheat farming, as well as cider and wine production. Ripley once stood second in the Ohio market for wine production, but a blight which struck the Ohio River valley in the late 1800’s forever destroyed the catawba grape vines which had once grown wild along the hillsides.

This room also contains a lantern collection; tools used for building early log homes; a display and histo-ry of nails; items used in the early boat building indus-try; and an outside caliper made at the John P. Parker Phoenix Factory.

Also on display is a photograph of the first OR & C (Ohio River & Columbus) train to come through Ripley. Just outside the window of this room you will see Easton Alley which formed from what was the old train tracks. Trains soon replaced boats for the shipping of Brown County's agricultural products.

---

 
 

Beauty Shop	Children's Room	East Room
Farm Tools	Garage	Ladies Room
Master Bedroom	Parlor	School Room
Turn of the Century Kitchen	Memorabilia Room	Map & Directions