The Historic Harmar Bridge Company is a private non-profit that was established by a group of volunteers in 1985 to serve as the chief custodians of the Harmar Bridge, Harmar Village Park and the assets within the park at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers in Marietta, Ohio. Our mission is to establish a vital lifeline to all community members by connecting local and regional networks through the adaptive reuse of the Historic Harmar Bridge.Follow our journey as we work to adaptively resuse this structure that dates back to 1856…News
Our Story…
A documentary by Wharff-Air Productions and Brian Stover Drone Photography. Filmed in June 2026.
-
Aid the Assets & Maintenance Committee by supporting the growing pollinator zone at the Historic Harmar Bridge Company Butterfly Garden or by spending a weekend with us keeping the festival running. Email harmarbridgeco@gmail.com for more info.
-
Join us at the Harmar Days Festival | Last Weekend in July
We can’t wait to celebrate with you as we expand our kids zon, music selection, craft vendor, artists alley and beer garden!
Check out the Festival tab or our Facebook for more info!
-
As we share our love of our Harmar Village, help us share our news on Facebook!
Help protect this National Treasure:
Initially built as a covered bridge in 1856, the Harmar Bridge was converted to a railroad bridge in the 1860s, making it one of the first iron bridges during the Civil War, the oldest swinging railroad bridge in the country, and the only one of its kind still in operation today. For the past 30 years the Historic Harmar Bridge Company has been the custodian and caretaker of the Historic Harmar Bridge, part of the Harmar Historic District and National Register of Historic Places, with the long-term preservation and restoration of the bridge being their singular mission. Despite on-going fundraising and maintenance efforts, the Harmar Bridge has been deemed unsafe for public use in its current condition. On January 28, 2020 the Historic Harmar Bridge Company unanimously passed a resolution to close the Harmar Bridge to pedestrian traffic until the structure has been fully restored.
To fully restore the Historic Harmar Bridge, maintain its structural integrity, and create a safe and accessible pathway for pedestrian and bicycle traffic across the Muskingum River, the Save Harmar Bridge initiative aims to raise public and private funds generated from citizens, state and federal grant requests, and other revenue streams.
History of the Bridge
Initially built as a covered bridge in 1856, the Harmar Bridge was converted to a railroad bridge in the 1860s, making it one of the first iron bridges during the Civil War, the oldest swinging railroad bridge in the country, and the only one of its kind still in operation today.
The Work to be Done
To fully restore the Historic Harmar Bridge, maintain its structural integrity and create a safe and accessible pathway for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the Save Harmar Bridge initiative aims to raise public and private funds generated from citizens, state and federal grant requests, and other revenue streams.
How You Can Help
Save Harmar Bridge is seeking individuals who are passionate about preserving and restoring the Historic Harmar Railroad Bridge for future generations to enjoy. Learn more about how you can get involved in saving this important piece of history!