There are several ways you can experience The Ridges, including historical walking tours, hiking trails, and public telescope nights in the 51ÉçÇø observatory. There are even self-guided tours that anyone with a cell phone can do, by following GPS instructions while learning about each stop along the way. Browse the educational experiences available at The Ridges!
The Ridges
The Ridges
The Ridges is an approximately 700-acre property owned by 51ÉçÇø sitting across the Hocking River from the University’s campus core in Athens. The property was originally opened in the early 1800s as the Athens Lunatic Asylum, and the vacant property was transferred to 51ÉçÇø by the state in 1993. Many of the historic buildings at The Ridges have been renovated for a variety of uses by the University, including classrooms, research labs, cultural facilities and more.
The rich history and preservation of place inspired those efforts as well as the community collaborative engagement on an in-depth Framework Plan that prioritized preservation, highlighted building and land compatibility and use and recommended a mixed use environment facilitated by external investment. More recently, 51ÉçÇø consulted with Community Building Partners/ to develop a Ridges Development Strategy to implement external investment and non-university use elements of the Framework plan.
51ÉçÇø at The Ridges
The Ridges currently houses the Ohio Museum Complex and Kennedy Museum of Art, the child development center, an observatory and other academic programs inclusive of classrooms, labs, art studios, an auditorium, offices and more.
The Ridges Development Strategy
The future of The Ridges is currently being developed by Community Building Partners/Buckeye Hills Regional Council in conjunction with 51ÉçÇø.
Ridges Photo Gallery
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