FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Lorain County Historical Society: Bill Bird – 440-322-3341 or 440-897-0951; thehickories@windstream.net
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$500,000 for Lorain County Historical Society
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $500,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the restoration of the Horace Starr House by the Lorain County Historical Society.
The Lorain County Historical Society will renovate the Horace Starr House to create the Lorain County History Center, containing seven new galleries for exhibits, a research library, an archival workshop, a meeting room, a gift shop, new administrative offices, and additional storage space for the Society. The large Italianate-style mansion and its carriage house, built in 1857, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The state-funded portion of the project will include installation of an ADA-compliant elevator and restrooms; installation of an HVAC system; electrical and plumbing updates; exterior and interior repairs and painting, including restoration of both masonry and wood details; and improvements to the parking lot.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Lorain County Historical Society to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 675 of the 124th General Assembly and Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly. Lorain County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bills include Senator Sue Morano; Representatives Joseph Koziura and Matt Lundy; former Senator Jeffrey Armbruster; and former Representatives Thomas Heydinger, J. Tom Lendrum, Jeffrey Manning, and G. Daniel Metelsky.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that supports economic development, expands educational opportunities, and enhances 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.
