About

Tucked into the rural hills of Morgan County lies the quaint Village of Chesterhill. It is considered one of Morgan County’s hidden gems where you can escape and disconnect to a rolling landscape of beautiful views and stunning sunsets, immerse yourself in history, and savor all that rural Appalachia Ohio has to offer.

Founded by Quakers in 1834, Chesterhill was established when Ohio was still in early statehood. A group of Quakers from Belmont County purchased 100 acres of land at one dollar each from the Ohio Company Land Office. Chesterhill’s founders saw an opportunity for a self-sufficient community in the rich farmland of Marion Township. The Quaker faith laid the foundation for the community, with principles of peace, equality, and respect for nature remaining paramount today.

The Quakers were staunch abolitionists, and Chesterhill became a sanctuary for the formerly enslaved traveling towards freedom on the Underground Railroad.

These freedom seekers found protection in the existing community of “tri-racial” families with Black, white, and multi-tribal Native American heritage. These free people of color were likely instrumental in protecting freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, making Chesterhill's history of multiculturalism quite distinct for a small Appalachian town in southeastern Ohio.

Today, Chesterhill is home to the Union Hall Theater, the Multicultural Genealogical Center, and the Historical Quaker Meeting House, which is still active and recognized by The Ohio Historical Society. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, learn about Chesterhill’s history with the Underground Railroad, and explore the Quaker Meeting House.