FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Dayton History: Brady Kress, President – 937-293-2841; bkress@daytonhistory.org
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $2.3 Million for Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $2.3 million at its quarterly meeting today for the Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship.
The Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship will be a new museum building built in the 65-acre Carillon Historical Park. The 27,000-square-foot Heritage Center will focus on exhibiting, preserving, and interpreting the rich history of manufacturing and entrepreneurship in the Miami Valley. The museum will become home to some of the three million items currently held in storage by project sponsor Dayton History. The items include manufacturing equipment, business machines, industrial relics, documents, photographs and other archival materials. The project connects the Kettering Family Education Center and the Heritage Center, encouraging visitors to experience both facilities. Carillon Park includes 25 buildings and exhibits on display include the 1905 Wright Flyer III; vintage automobiles, train cars and bicycles; a 1930s print shop; and the largest carillon in Ohio.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows Dayton History to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126th General Assembly and Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly. Montgomery County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bills include Senators Jon Husted and Tom Roberts; Representative Clayton Luckie; former Senator Jeff Jacobson; and former Representatives Dixie Allen, Arlene Setzer, Fred Strahorn, and John White.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that helps enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds appropriated by the Legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with nonprofit groups and local governments on more than 300 projects in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
