Submitted News

The Ohio Tobacco Museum held its general meeting earlier this year, where ballots were tallied, resulting in the election of several new board members. Kenny Ring, David Dugan, Nick Layman and Larry Hall were elected to serve terms expiring in April 2026. Tim Ratliff, Harold Cropper and Michael (Bo) Napier will serve until April 2027, while Jim Schadle and Betty Jo Ratliff will have their terms end in April 2028. David Dugan will continue in his role as board president, with Betty Jo Ratliff serving as secretary, Amanda Snider-Layman as treasurer and Kristin McRoberts managing public communications.

In an exciting new venture, a small crop of tobacco was planted on the museum grounds this season. The plants were grown in a float bed, and demonstration Saturdays kicked off with soil testing conducted by John Brown from the Brown County Soil and Water District followed by the planting of the tobacco. A tobacco topping demonstration was scheduled for August 17 with cutting planned for September, weather permitting.

The museum has seen ongoing improvements to its buildings, grounds and displays, thanks to the dedication of community volunteers. Recent enhancements include the installation of replacement windows in the main museum building, made possible by the efforts of Rick Blackburn of Ripley and Tri-State Wholesale Building Supplies in Cincinnati. Additionally, a custom-made stainless steel kickplate for the entry door was donated,, while Terry Kemmeter of Ripley has continued to assist with display improvements and refreshing signage paint. The board members are committed to ensuring the museum remains open to the public, financially sustainable, and well-maintained through their volunteer efforts.

Community involvement is welcomed, and anyone interested in offering their time or specific skills to the museum are encouraged to reach out via Facebook Messenger, email at Ohiotobaccomuseum@yahoo.com, or by contacting one of the board members directly.

Membership opportunities are available, with forms accessible at the museum or via email. Additionally, the museum invites support through purchases from its Amazon Wish List or monetary donations. The mailing address for contributions is Ohio Tobacco Museum, Inc., PO Box 61, Ripley, Ohio, 45167.

Mark your calendars for April 12, 2025 to attend the annual general membership dinner meeting and reverse raffle fundraiser. To receive notifications about special events and ticket sales, as well as a quarterly report, please send an email

to Ohiotobaccomuseum@yahoo.com. For more information on museum events, like, follow, and share the Ohio Tobacco Museum’s Facebook page.