A recent ribbon cutting celebrates the new Ohio Welcome Center on I-70 westbound and a highlight destination is the Warther Museum in Dover.
Museum Director Kristen Mooreland says the location in Belmont County features one of Ernest “Mooney” Warther’s carvings that will remain as an exhibit.
“For each region they want to highlight a major artist within each section of Ohio and they felt strongly that Mooney Warther was kind of the highlight for this region. We were thrilled to be contacted and especially having visitors coming through I-70 right there between the Ohio border there’s a good amount of traffic and we’re just excited to be able to share that.”
The Warther Museum was contacted by the Ohio Department of Development with the exhibit request. Mooreland says the Department made the case for the carving and did justice to the museum.
She adds that they have the option to keep the B&O 100 Engine carving at the rest stop until 2029.
“We selected the B&O 100 engine because Mooney actually carved two of those so we still have a B&O 100 here at the museum for people to see in the evolution of the steam engine and then we’re able to share that one as well.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was onsite for the ribbon cutting, noting the goal behind revamping rest areas across the state.
“When you walk in you’re going to be a able to see a lot of Ohio. Your going to see a big map but also a lot of pictures that kind of tell you what’s down the road, where can I stop, and every welcome center is localized in that way with those local pictures.”
Ohio generated, in 2024, $57 billion in visitor spending and to strengthen the tourism industry, DeWine’s rest area plan includes 36 new buildings and seeing upgrades to 40 others by the end of 2026.
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