The Ridges | Athens | Ohio University

The Ridges is an approximately 700-acre property owned by Ohio University 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 Ohio University 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, Ohio University consulted with Community Building Partners/ Buckeye Hills Regional Council to develop a Ridges Development Strategy to implement external investment and non-university use elements of the Framework plan.

Ohio University 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.

OHIO at The Ridges

The Ridges Development Strategy

The future of The Ridges is currently being developed by Community Building Partners/Buckeye Hills Regional Council in conjunction with Ohio University.

Development Strategy

Visit The Ridges

There are several ways you can experience The Ridges, including historical walking tours, hiking trails, and public telescope nights in the Ohio University 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!

Visit The Ridges