RIDGEWAY – It was 1973, and Ridgeway attorney Robert Hartman was standing at the Shell station in Ridgeway when he saw three giant bright lights in the sky in the direction of Little Mountain. That statement started the program for the Weird and Wonderful of Ridgeway at the Isaac C. Thomas Historical Museum on Saturday, Oct. 17. Hartman, author of “The Roswell Alien Crash,” went on to offer the museum visitors highlights from his years of interest in UFOs.
Asked if he believes that aliens have visited Earth, Hartman said he has no doubt.
The three well-known Ridgeway residents whom museum staff have dubbed the “Ridgeway Rascals” shared stories about their escapades growing up in Ridgeway. Former Mayor Rufus Jones, Councilman Dan Ruff and one of Pig on the Ridge’s hardest working supporters, Henry Dixon shared ghost stories and goat stories.
Also on hand were Ridgeway residents Mrs. McGuirt and her grandson, who shared stories of Jackie McGuirt’s escapades at his former tire store on Dogwood Avenue.
Kenny Robinson highlighted the wonderful as he shared his appreciation for Ridgeway’s Pig on the Ridge event, which he said was a ‘Wonderful’ community feature. It has been postponed for this year, but plans are to resume it again in 2027.
The museum’s next presentation—the exploration of historic cemeteries in Ridgeway—is set for Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. To help visitors explore gravesites and markers, maps will be distributed and guides will be on hand to assist at Ruff Chapel, St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Lebanon Baptist Church and Aimwell Presbyterian Church.
The museum is located at 130 E. Church St. and is open Fridays from 1 – 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 am – 4 pm. There is no admission charge.