America 250: Clermont Historic Tour

Celebrating 250 Years of American Freedom

Clermont’s Contribution to America’s Freedom. Join us in honoring America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 with a journey through Clermont County’s rich legacy in shaping our nation. The America 250: Clermont Historic Tour offers a powerful look at the people, places, and pivotal moments that helped define liberty and justice in the Ohio Valley and beyond. From the humble birthplace of President Ulysses S. Grant to safe havens along the Underground Railroad, Clermont County played a vital role in advancing the ideals of freedom and democracy.

Sample Itinerary
This customizable tour can be shortened, extended, or tailored to meet the interests of your group. Whether you're a history buff, educator, or simply looking to honor America’s founding ideals, this tour connects the local with the national in a compelling and memorable way.

Tour Enhancements

• Public Art Murals – Discover how local artists reflect freedom through color and story.

• History & Museum Passport – A fun way to track your visits through Clermont’s Museums.

Day 1: River of Freedom – Stories Along the Ohio

Morning

• Ross Gowdy House Museum – New Richmond
  Begin your tour along the historic Ohio River at the Ross Gowdy House, built in 1853 during New Richmond’s booming steamboat era. Explore artifacts, antiques, and river memorabilia that showcase the economic and cultural importance of river life to America’s growth and mobility.

• Historic Downtown New Richmond
  Stroll through the charming riverfront village, home to:

  • Cardboard Boat Museum – celebrating creativity and community.

  • River Village Shoppes – supporting local artisans and heritage preservation.

Lunch

• Front Street Café – Enjoy local flavors and Ohio River views at this cozy café and gallery bistro.

Afternoon

• U.S. Grant Birthplace – Point Pleasant
  Visit the birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant, Union General and 18th President. Learn how his Southern Ohio roots and values helped shape his leadership in the Civil War and Reconstruction, influencing the course of American freedom.

• Chilo Lock 34 Museum
  Discover how the Ohio River served as both a commercial artery and a border between slavery and freedom. Interactive exhibits highlight life, labor, and innovation on the river.

Evening

• The John Parker House – Ripley
  Step into the home of John Parker, a formerly enslaved man who became a successful inventor and a courageous conductor on the Underground Railroad. His daring missions helped hundreds escape slavery.

• John Rankin House – Ripley
  At one of the most significant Underground Railroad sites in the nation, hear how Reverend Rankin and his family sheltered freedom seekers and became symbols of moral courage and abolitionist resistance.

• Dinner & Wine Tasting at Harmony Hill Vineyard & Estates Winery
  End the day in the heart of Ohio’s 19th-century grape-growing region, reflecting on the pioneering spirit that defined both agriculture and activism in the Ohio Valley.

Day 2: Breaking Chains & Building Legacy – Cincinnati & Clermont

Morning

• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center – Cincinnati
  Begin your day with a powerful experience at this national museum dedicated to the ongoing struggle for human freedom. Learn about the Underground Railroad, contemporary human rights issues, and America's evolving definition of liberty.

Lunch

• Mt. Carmel Brewing Company – Savor craft food and brews at Cincinnati’s oldest microbrewery.

Afternoon

• Tri-State Warbird Museum – Batavia
  Explore the legacy of American freedom defended in the skies. This museum honors WWII and military aviation history through authentic aircraft and inspiring stories of courage and sacrifice.

• Harmony Hill Dairy House Museum – Williamsburg
  Tour the oldest building in Clermont County, homestead of Major General William Lytle, a Revolutionary War veteran whose descendants helped settle and defend the Ohio frontier.

• Rustic Rose & Williamsburg Hike-Bike Trail
  Enjoy locally made goods at the Rustic Rose County Pickins, then stretch your legs along a scenic trail steeped in natural beauty and historical roots.

Dinner

• Valley View Lodge – Williamsburg
  Dine at the historic Atchley Hotel (built in 1835), a restored space where echoes of past gatherings still resonate in this charming small-town setting.

Day 3: Legacy of the Land – Freedom Through Innovation and Preservation

Morning

• Loveland Castle (Chateau Laroche)
  Built stone-by-stone by WWI veteran Harry Andrews, this medieval-style castle represents personal perseverance, service, and the freedom to dream. A truly American story of grit and imagination.

• Loveland Museum Center
  Step back in time through exhibits that capture pioneer life, industrial innovation, and the suburban transformation of early Ohio communities.

Lunch

• Ramsey’s Trailside – Loveland
  Located along the Little Miami Scenic Trail, enjoy a relaxed lunch before exploring the shops and trails of this vibrant river town.

Afternoon

• Downtown Loveland
  Discover:

  • The Quilters Studio of Loveland

  • Busy Bee Boutique

  • Plaid Room Records
    Support small businesses and enjoy the spirit of entrepreneurial freedom.

• Promont House Museum – Milford
  Tour this stunning Victorian-era home filled with artifacts that reflect the evolution of American life and the contributions of past generations.

• Valley View Foundation
  Wander 190 acres of preserved land – wetlands, woodlands, and riverways – that remind us of the importance of protecting the landscapes that sustained our forebears.

Dinner & Evening

• Little Miami Brewing Company – Milford
  Toast to America’s 250 years of freedom along the banks of the Little Miami River.

• Explore Downtown Milford
  Wrap up your journey at:

  • Old Milford Ice Cream Parlor

  • Spiral Groove Records

  • Painted River Art Studio

  • Milford Antiques