In 1962 seven Fairfield County women decided something should be done to preserve the lovely, old homes of Lancaster, Ohio.  Ruth Drinkle, Dorothy Peters, Caroline Rockwood, Mary Katherine Vlerebome, Marian Furniss, Emilie Martin and Petie Smith researched the operation of other groups, mostly in the East and South, and with the guidance of the National Trust formed the Fairfield Heritage Association.

For their first fund raiser Ruth Drinkle designed a Wild Flower napkin, using models of wild flowers discovered in Fairfield County during Cub Scout hikes.  The proceeds the first few years were used to build up interest through education about Lancaster and Fairfield County, Ohio's heritage and to fund restoration projects.

Fran Utley planned the first home tour with emphasis on quality and examples of small houses, mansions, primitive (log cabin) and good examples of modern architecture.

In 1972 the Fairfield Heritage Association, with help from Ed Rutherford, Mayor of Lancaster, purchased the Georgian from owner, J. Thomas Hoffman.  After a very successful fund raising drive legal documents for signed on July 19, 1972 and restoration began. 

In 1978 The Heritage of Architecture and Arts of Fairfield County, Ohio was published.  The second edition was published in 1994, and may be purchased on the museum shops at the Georgian and Sherman House Museums.

On June 11, 1982, after many months of negotiation and legislation, the title for the Sherman House State Memorial was officially transferred from the State of Ohio to the Fairfield Heritage Association for "so long as the Association shall continue to operate the building as a Museum."  An agreement with the Ohio Historical Society, which operated the Museum until budget cuts forced its closing in 1980, left the OHS collections within the building on long term loan to FHA.  The dedication of the Sherman House Museum was held on April 24, 1983.  State Representative Steven O. Williams introduced State Senator Sam Speck who presented the dedication address.  Barbara Ellwood and Connie Leitnaker served as the first Directors of the Museum.