FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2008
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Morgan Township Historical Society: Jill Evans – 513-738-0910; jillsfarm@fuse.net
Morgan Township Trustees: Nancy Poe – 513-738-3990; njbisbee@msn.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$80,000 for Morgan Township House
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $80,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the 1858 Morgan Township House.
The Morgan Township House has served as a meeting space and community gathering place since 1858, and is the only antebellum township house in Butler County that remains in the hands of a township government. The Morgan Township Trustees will utilize state-appropriated capital funds to renovate and restore the building, creating a museum reflecting the history of Morgan Township and the surrounding area that will be maintained by the Morgan Township Historical Society. The museum will display the collections of the Historical Society, and the Society will provide guided historical tours to area students and the general public. The project will include interior and exterior painting, window restoration, gutter installation, installation of plumbing and HVAC systems, and construction of an ADA-compliant entrance ramp.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Morgan Township Trustees to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly. Butler County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senator Gary Cates and Representatives William Coley, Courtney Combs and Shawn Webster.
The Morgan Township Trustees are providing the 1858 building and land, as well as $30,000 toward the restoration project.
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 of 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.
