The Ohio Tobacco Museum

Ohio Tobacco Museum, Inc. is located at 703 So. Second Street (U.S. Rt. 52) beside the former tobacco warehouses.

The two-story brick house is of Federal and Georgian style architecture. This 1850s home was once owned by the Espey family. Mr. Espey worked for Heavy Munition Works in Cincinnati, the company that produced Ripley’s three cannons for protection during the Civil War. The historic home became the site of the Ohio Tobacco Museum in 1988 and stands as the only such museum in the state of Ohio. The contents of the museum have been provided through public and private donations and represent the story of Ripley’s unique southern Ohio agricultural history.

Rooms within the museum include the HALL OF FAME Room recognizing individuals who have played important roles in the tobacco industry. The HISTORY Room displays early years of tobacco farming, the origin of White Burley tobacco, the Lucky Strike Green Has Gone to War story, and Lt. General Grant cigars. The STRIPPING Room shows handling of tobacco from curing in the barn to preparing it for transport to sale. The TOBACCO FARM Room offers an explanation of raising tobacco from seed to finished product, as well as a look at some of the earliest small equipment used in the production of tobacco. This room also houses a large replica of a 7-tier tobacco barn. SECOND FLOOR rooms offer a variety of memorabilia, as well as cigar, pipe and ashtray displays.

Adjacent to the museum is a building that houses large, old tobacco equipment including one of the first 3-point hitch tobacco setters, an antique scale, tobacco sled, tobacco primer, hogshead, and various tobacco presses.

GRAVESITE OF AUNT JEMIMA

Visit the gravesite of one of America's iconic folk figures. It is a short 7-mile trip to Red Oak Church (also historic). Travel North on Rt. 62-68. Look for it on the right after you pass Hartmen Road.

Folk Figure. Born Rosa Washington Riles in Red Oak, Ohio, she was the third popular symbol for the Quaker Oats Company's Aunt Jemima Pancake and Syrup products. Recruited in the 1930s, she traveled around the country making public appearances playing Aunt Jemima until 1948.

COVERED BRIDGES

North Pole Covered Bridge
From Ripley go north on U.S. 68 1 mile then turn right on North Pole Road (C.R. 15) for 3 miles
Stream: Eagle Creek

George Miller Covered Bridge
From Russellville travel south on U.S. 62 for 1/2 mile then turn left on George Miller Road (C.R.77) for 2 miles. Stream: Eagle Creek

More than 12,000 covered bridges have dotted America's landscape since the first was built in Philadelphia in 1805. At least 3,500 of these bridges were built in Ohio.

America offered a plentiful supply of wood for bridge building by local carpenters who used one of several patented designs for the truss or supporting structure.

Why were the bridges covered? Many believe that their resemblance to a barn lessened the fear of horses at a river crossing. While they certainly provided shelter from a sudden shower or a place for Saturday night sparking, the true reason was the protection afforded the truss from constant exposure to the weather. While an uncovered wooden bridge would last about 20 years, a covered truss would last about 100. All of Brown County's remaining covered bridges have now passed the century mark.

Today, five bridges remain as a part of Brown County's local heritage and history. Three of these are open to vehicular traffic, two are by-passed and open to foot traffic.

FOR A LIST OF OHIO COVERED BRIDGES BY COUNTY CLICK HERE

OTHER ATTRACTIONS LESS THAN 30 MINUTES FROM RIPLEY

Augusta, Kentucky A leisurely ride across the Ohio River on the Augusta Ferry is a great way to view the city and the surrounding hillsides. The former Miss America, Heather Renee French, grew up here, as did George Clooney. His parents, Nick & Nina, continue to reside in Augusta. Once you've spent a day in Augusta, you'll discover for yourself why Augusta is so special. For many, it's the history - the wealth of fine homes and buildings which date back to the eighteenth century. For others it's the allure of the river and the sweeping hillsides - a natural panorama that has inspired countless artists.

Old Washington, Kentucky Travel in the footsteps of Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton along the old Buffalo Trace. The visitor center and post office are charming original log structures, as is Simon Kenton's store. This town was founded in 1775!

Grant Boyhood Home