FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
McKinley Presidential Library and Museum: Joyce Yut – 330.455.7043; joyceyut@aol.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$200,000 for McKinley Presidential Library and Museum
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $200,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum.
Dedicated to preserving materials and records related to the presidential history of William McKinley, as well as to the history of Stark County, the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum was built in 1963 and contains an interactive science center, a 60-seat planetarium, a research library and galleries dedicated to President McKinley and other historical exhibits. State funds will contribute to the construction of a climate-controlled storage facility to store the museum’s growing collection of Stark County cultural and historical artifacts. The new, windowless, pre-fabricated steel building will connect to the museum for easy access between buildings.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly. Stark County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senator Kirk Schuring; Representatives Scott Oelslager and Mark Okey; former Senator John Boccieri; and former Representatives John Hagan and William Healy.
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.
