The Greene County Historical Society & Museum (GCHS), located at 918 Rolling Meadows Road in Waynesburg, plans to reopen for the season on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The GCHS was first built in 1861. It is also known as the Poor Farm, or the Almshouse, where individuals who were indigent, elderly, mentally ill or disabled could live and work in exchange for shelter. It served as a country home with up to 50 residents at a time when it was most busy.

The property has since been transformed to dedicate to the preservation of Greene County’s history.

“We want people to learn about our local history, the Almshouse and the people that lived here,” said Executive Director, Matthew W. Cumberledge. As a lifelong resident, he has spent his life studying Greene County and the Upper Ohio Valley Region after graduating from Waynesburg Central High School.

Their mission, as per their website, “is to promote an appreciation of Greene County history through the preservation and interpretation of local artifacts and stories in order to educate the public and future generations through a narrative of the rich heritage of Greene County and its surrounding area.”

The museum has over 30,000 artifacts; there are facts and exhibits on Native Americans, the Waynesburg and Washington Railroad, and other exhibits focusing on local history. With 52 rooms in the County Home, staff members and volunteers have been keenly spending time repairing broken rooms, windows and walls alike to keep the place preserved and untouched for future generations.

“It was a place where people went when they had no other options,” said Cumberledge. “… It was a functioning community with its own rules, structure, and responsibilities.”

The Almshouse underwent expansions, adding wings in the 1880s to accommodate for the growth in members. It now spans over 38,000-square-foot homes, the property also houses a barn, print shop and multiple log cabins. Residents, more commonly at the time referred to as ‘inmates’ in the 19th century records, worked on the surrounding farmland, tending to crops and livestocks; the labor helped support the institution, as well as being seen as a form of rehabilitation, even though the conditions were harsh.

The property was officially closed down by the county in 1969, because it was “deemed unfit for continued habitation.” It was noted the place had poor ventilation, outdated facilities, rodent problems and inadequate care. 

For Waynesburg, it opened a new chapter.

The Greene County Historical Society, founded in 1925, quickly ran out of space in its previous location with its growing collection of artifacts; in 1970 after purchasing the building, volunteers began to remodel the over 50 year old building to turn the poorhouse into the museum it is today.

“One of our goals is to show the humanity of those early residents,” Cumberledge explained. “They weren’t statistics; they were people with names, families and stories worth remembering.”

Visitors are also encouraged to step into the world of paranormal activity while on the grounds. Unexplained sounds, footsteps, smells and full body apparitions have been reported by both guests and staff alike. YouTube has documentaries about the experiences that took place; plus, the GCHS has been featured on a handful of shows, such as “Destination Fear,” and “Kindred Spirits.”

“Haunted by Spirits” by Danny Strakal on YouTube, which premiered on Sept. 18, 2021, toured the house and recorded his findings. He described several rooms in the house as haunted, and “got major goosebumps” throughout the tour. One of the most haunted areas is referred to as the “Poor House Cells,” which is located in the basement. 

“This isn’t just a museum housed in a historic building,” said Cumberledge, “The building is part of the story. It’s a rare surviving piece of a forgotten system.”

GCHS closes from the public eye for the winter months each year to allow ample time to do maintenance, repairs and renovations to ensure the museum remains in optimal condition for the upcoming season. Recently, they have reworked electrical overhauls on outdated wiring on the second floor, the attic that was closed for years is undergoing renovations and nearly 150 windows on the main building have been redone.

They thrive off of the deep support from members of the community to remain afloat. Cumberledge talked about how income is generated from open house events and tours to keep the building maintained and running. Any donations and help is greatly appreciated; the museum has launched a volunteer recruitment campaign last year that helps to seek out individuals who are interested in serving as tour guides, event hosts and more. 

When the museum reopens for the season, visitors are able to explore these newly renovated rooms, including a second floor sitting room that was repainted, replastered and refurbished. There are food vendors, demonstrations, reenactments and more at the reopening to ensure a fun experience.   Memberships are also available to provide additional benefits and gift shop purchases. To learn more about the GCHS and get involved, their website is https://greenecountyhistory.org/.