Campus Martius Museum

Where the Northwest Territory Took Shape

Museum hours and admission

Ready to visit Campus Martius?

Everything you need to plan your trip is in one place.

Hours, admission, parking, and accessibility information are all on our Plan Your Visit page. Whether you're coming solo, with family, or bringing a group, we're excited to meet you.

Historic red-brick building with white colonial-style trim, tall multi-pane windows, ornate entrance, and a lamppost.
Plan Your Visit
Historical map background with two oval portraits: one of a man in historical military uniform in profile and another of a group of people gathered around a seated speaker in a rustic setting.

Featured Exhibit

Mark Well the Land

Our current rotating exhibit examines ways in which different people and groups view and value land. When the pioneers arrived in Marietta, they were greeted by one of the native tribes that had been inhabiting the area for decades.

This exhibit displays maps and artwork depicting settlers and indigenous viewpoints. As the first Surveyor General of the United States and the Superintendent of the Ohio Company of Associates, Rufus Putnam put a lot of care into the planning of Marietta. The highlight of our exhibit is an original 1802 map of Marietta drawn by Rufus, himself. 

Mark Well the Land will be open through the end of 2026.

Campus Martius History

The city of Marietta was the first permanent organized settlement in the Northwest Territory and is located at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers. After much deliberation, the name “Marietta” was chosen in honor of Marie Antoinette to recognize France’s support for the colonies throughout the Revolutionary War. Campus Martius Museum (erected in 1928) is located at the corner of Washington and Second Streets in Marietta, Ohio.

The Ohio Company of Associates built Campus Martius stockade between 1788 and 1791 to house and protect settlers from possible conflicts with Native Tribes already inhabiting the area. The name Campus Martius references an ancient Roman military training ground known by the same name. Translated from Latin, it means “Field of Mars.” After the Treaty of Greeneville was signed in 1795, settlers no longer needed the protection of the stockade. It was dismantled and the wood planks reused to construct some of the houses in Marietta. 

Enclosed within Campus Martius Museum is the original house of Rufus Putnam. The house began as part of the original stockade and is still on its original foundation. Rufus was the first surveyor-general of the United States and Superintendent of the Ohio Company. He and his wife, Persis, remained in this house until their deaths. The house was restored by the Ohio Historical Society (currently the Ohio History Connection) between 1966 and 1972. Also on site of the museum is the oldest building in the Northwest Territory–the Ohio Company Land Office. This building was moved to museum grounds in 1953 to help ensure its historic preservation. The Ohio Company used this office to allot deeds for the original Ohio Company land purchase. It was here that Rufus Putnam created some of the earliest maps of the Northwest Territory.

Interior of a rustic dining room with wooden beams on the ceiling, green doors, a fireplace, a portrait on the wall, and a wooden table with chairs.
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin wearing a military uniform with medals, in profile view.

Putnam House Virtual Tour

The Putnam House Virtual Tour is funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the America 250-Ohio Commission.

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    “We spent about 2 hours here, probably could have been longer if we wanted to read all the information and listen to the videos. Very informative. Staff was very friendly and willing to answer questions. Nice little gift shop, that has books, key rings, ornaments, children's toys and more.”

    - Jackie W.

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    “This is a must stop for anyone interest in early American history. This is especially true since this was the launching pad for our move out to the west.”

    - Dan

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    “Very neat place. There is so much history involved. Loved it. Sue, the Tour Guide was so friendly and showed us around, giving us a detailed description of the Fort and stories of Marietta. The Museum displays are very well laid out and informative.”

    - Love Bug

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    “Campus Martius Museum has displays about the first settlement in the Northwest territory. It includes the Ohio Land Company office, the oldest building in Ohio, and Rufus Putnam’s house. It has exhibits about the early settlers life, as well as migrations of people to and from the area. There are exhibits to engage all ages.”

    - Jim D.

Group Visits and Educational Programs

Campus Martius Museum offers hands-on educational programs for school groups and adult visitors. Programs are customized to fit your group's needs and connect to early Marietta and post-Revolutionary War frontier history.

Visit the Groups page for scheduling forms, pricing, and contact information.

A woman leans over a boy in a wheelchair. They are looking at artifacts behind a glass case.
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