News

A one-day conference will be held to discuss the historic Athens Asylum — now called The Ridges — on June 7 with a variety of speakers discussing the history and future of the former mental hospital.

The Athens County Historical Society and Museum, the Ohio University Department of Geography and the Ridges Comprehensive Plan Committee will co-sponsor a series of presentations on the former asylum on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the auditorium at The Ridges.

Speakers will include George Eberts, former employee at the Athens Asylum; Tom O’Grady of the Athens County Historical Society and Museum; Tom Walker of the National Institute of Mental Health; Katherine Ziff, author of “Asylum on the Hill;” Bob Loversidge of Schooley Caldwell Associates (the consulting firm working with OU to create a Ridges master plan); and Shawn Bolin and Joe Shields, who will update the audience on the Ridges Comprehensive Master Plan.

The event is free and open to the public, however reservations are required. A boxed lunch will be provided for attendees. Reservations can be made by calling the historical society at (740) 592-2280 or by emailing eli@athenshistory.org.