Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $70,000 for Van Wert Historical Society

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $70,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the Van Wert Historical Society’s Clark Mansion property.

The Clark Mansion is furnished with period furnishings and artifacts representing Van Wert County’s history, and serves as the centerpiece of the Van Wert County Historical Society's grounds. The John Clark family constructed the Clark Mansion in 1895. The property was purchased by local attorney William Fostnaught in 1955 and donated to the newly incorporated Van Wert County Historical Society.

The state appropriation will go towards funding interior restoration of the mansion, including dry wall installation on the ceilings; priming and painting; removing wallpaper; repairing plaster and re-installing wallpaper; refurbishing windows and doors; refinishing floors and woodwork; replacing area carpets; restoring a fireplace in the parlor; and building a handicapped ramp off of the south porch. A prior state appropriation helped to fund exterior foundation waterproofing.

The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Van Wert Historical Society to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126^th General Assembly. Former Van Wert County State Representative James Hoops voted in favor of the bill, and Representative Lynn Wachtmann is a longstanding supporter of the 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 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.

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