The Fayette County Museum invites you to step back in time and discover one of Ohio’s architectural treasures—the magnificent Morris Sharp House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1875 as the “Showplace of Washington Court House,” this extraordinary Victorian mansion is far more than an old home. It is a living reminder of the people, craftsmanship, and stories that shaped Fayette County.

Designed by noted architect Isaac H. Hobbs in 1873, the impressive Italianate-Gothic residence commands attention from every angle. Its towering five-level silhouette, crowned by a distinctive slate Mansard roof, rises above the surrounding neighborhood. Three welcoming porches overlook the streets that converge near the city’s eastern center, making the building itself worth the visit.

Every tour is personally guided by volunteers who bring the house to life through stories, local history, and fascinating details that cannot be found on a plaque or display card. Visitors will discover not only what the house looked like, but who lived there, how they lived, and why this remarkable home continues to be one of Fayette County’s greatest historical treasures.

Real Horsepower

The journey through history continues just steps away in the historic Coach House that displays the story of transportation and community life before the automobile transformed America.

A beautifully preserved 1906 horse-drawn rural mail wagon, representing the earliest days of Rural Free Delivery in Fayette County. It was used until gas powered vehicles arrived.

Nearby stands one of the museum’s most significant treasures—a magnificent Mertz & Riddle steel hearse, built around 1906 and used until motorized funeral coaches gradually replaced horse-drawn vehicles during the 1920s. More than simply an elegant funeral carriage, this hearse holds a unique place in American history. It is a “McKinley” style hearse—a sister vehicle to the one that carried President William McKinley from his memorial service to his final resting place. An extraordinary artifact with both local and national historical significance.