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Ohio Historical Society asks city to take over amid budget shortfall
By Holly Schoenstein
Special to the Beacon Journal
Published on Monday, May 12, 2008
TALLMADGE: Budget woes at the Ohio Historical Society have the preservation group looking to find new caretakers for several of the state's architectural and historical treasures, including one in the heart of Tallmadge.
The group has asked the city to take over the day-to-day management of Tallmadge Church on the circle.
Tallmadge Mayor Christopher Grimm said the group wants to know whether the city could take over as early as May 30.
City Council took up the issue last week and will continue discussion of the proposed five-year agreement when it meets again May 22.
The two-room Federal-style church was built in 1825 by First Congregational Church. The Ohio Historical Society took ownership of the building in 1971, after First Congregational outgrew it.
If the agreement is rejected by the council, the cash-strapped Ohio Historical Society will have to examine other options.
''We would look at other possible partners and other ways to operate it. The worst-case scenario, and only if we were pushed into the corner, is we would have to close it,'' said Kim Schuette, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Historical Society.
This is just one of many options the state group is looking at to come to terms with a nearly $2 million deficit. If Tallmadge agrees to take on the responsibility of operating the church, the state group estimates, it could save about $46,000 a year in maintenance and operating costs.
''With 59 sites, we have the largest state historical system in the country,'' said George Kane, director of facilities for the Ohio Historical Society. ''Today there are a lot of good organizations that have the capacity to own and manage these sites.''
The historic Tallmadge Church has been identified as one of them, Kane said. But despite discussions with the city about transferring ownership and management, no agreement has
been reached.
''I don't think the city has the option to do this,'' said David Kline, Tallmadge director of public service. ''It's being thrown in our laps because it's our city. We want to maintain it because it's a great feature of our town.''
About 25 of the 59 sites owned by the Ohio Historical Society have management agreements with city governments or local organizations, which have saved the organization about $130,000 a year, Schuette said.
''These partnerships are really important to us. We think it's wonderful that communities are willing to step up and share the responsibility for these sites,'' she said.
William K. Laidlaw, executive director for the Ohio Historical Society, said the group faces a deficit of $1.7 million for 2009.
Since 2001, it has cut its staff from 415 to 270. It also has cut services, such as public visitation hours, at many of its locations, he said.
The city hopes to break even with this agreement, Kline said. It would keep any money from church rental fees and deposits.
Under the agreement, the Ohio Historical Society would pay the city $10,000 a year to offset utilities.
Tallmadge Church is home to nondenominational services on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. About 50 weddings are scheduled there each year.
It has been a site for other events, such as baptisms, memorial services, Eagle Scout award ceremonies and swearing-in ceremonies for Tallmadge politicians.
Officials say the church will require several maintenance projects within the next one to two years, including repainting, replacing the furnace and installing storm windows and air conditioning.
Under the agreement, the city would be responsible for repairs and maintenance costs of $250 or less, and the Ohio Historical Society would pay costs that exceed $250.
Tallmadge resident Dana Gibson, the only historical society employee at the church, is responsible for scheduling events. She would be laid off as of May 30.
''I love the job,'' said Gibson, who joined the Ohio Historical Society in 1996. ''I love the building.''
She said she has been asked to stay on as a contract employee, mainly handling weddings.
''The only thing that's going to change is who is going to write the paychecks,'' she said.
The city is considering employment options for the site, including changing the job to part time.. Grimm said Tallmadge already has employees who handle rentals, so there is no need for a full-time employee at the church.
NOTE:
The Ohio Historical Society recently has relinquished or is considering relinquishing day-to-day management of these historic sites, according to a list compiled by the Associated Press:
Cedar Bog: Nature preserve near Urbana founded in 1942. Home to spotted turtles, toads, salamanders, owls, rattlesnakes and several endangered plants and animals.
Museum of Ceramics: Located in East Liverpool, the museum houses an extensive collection of wares produced by "America's Crockery City." Exhibits depict the growth and development of the city's ceramic industry from 1840 to 1930, when the potteries produced more than half of the country's ceramics.
Statehouse Education & Visitors Center: Interprets the state Capitol's history and significance for the public and guides school groups in their study of government, citizenship and Ohio history.
Source: Ohio Historical Society
TALLMADGE: Budget woes at the Ohio Historical Society have the preservation group looking to find new caretakers for several of the state's architectural and historical treasures, including one in the heart of Tallmadge.
Get the full article here.
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