FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2008
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Symmes Township Historical Society: Carol Sims – 513.683.6644; turkeyexpress@yahoo.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$100,000 for Symmes Township Historical Society
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $100,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the Symmes Township Historical Society’s Ross House project.
The Ross Family Log House, built sometime between 1836 and 1843, was donated to the Symmes Township Historical Society and, once restored, will serve as the Society’s headquarters. The log home will preserve a unique piece of the township’s history, and will serve as a historical museum and a place to present educational programs to the public. Restoration of the house includes rebuilding with the original logs, excavation and construction of a cellar, and installation of a shake roof and frame. Additional rehabilitation includes installation of nine new double-hung windows, three doors and frames, wood flooring, a stone chimney, an HVAC system, a wood privacy fence, basement water line, upgrades to the plumbing and electrical work, and path gradation. At the conclusion of the project, the house will be functional and open to the public.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Symmes Township Historical Society to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126th General Assembly. Hamilton County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senators Eric Kearney, Robert Schuler, and Bill Seitz; former Senator Patricia Clancy; Representatives Louis Blessing, Steve Driehaus, Jim Raussen, Michelle Schneider and Tyrone Yates; and former Representative Catherine Barrett.
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 nearly $400 million of capital funds appropriated by the legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at non-profit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues.
The Commission partners with non-profit groups and local governments on nearly 250 projects in 65 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
