The Logan County Historical Society is asking voters to pass a 0.25-mill replacement operating levy Nov. 5.
“We hope the voters of Logan County will pass our 0.25-mill replacement operating levy once again,” saidTodd McCormick, Logan County Historical Society and Logan County History Center curator/director. “We feel our history of using the money wisely to better the History Center and better our ability to collect, preserve and promote and educate people about Logan County’s rich history shows voters that the levy is an important issue to pass. We are the only countywide repository for historic artifacts and archives. If they are not preserved, they will be lost forever.”
The levy, if passed, will generate approximately $290,000 to $295,000 annually.
It provides about 85 percent of the income for the historical society. The levy goes towards the day-to-day operation of the History Center. This includes general maintenance, utilities, payroll, programming and more.
The levy allows the center to have a professional staff including a curator/director, administrative assistant, archivist/assistant curator and buildings and grounds manager to run facility on a daily basis. It allows the center to be open year-round. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. History Center hours (open for tours) are Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and the History Center is open daily except for certain holidays.
Annually, the levy will cost owners of a $100,000 home $8.10, a $125,000 home $9.90, a $150,000 home $11.70 and a $175,000 home $13.50.
The levy first passed in 1995. It passed again in 1999, 2005, 2010 and 2015
“The Logan County Historical Society’s 0.25-mill replacement operating levy has allowed the Logan County History Center to become one of the finest county museums in the state of Ohio and beyond,” McCormick said. “Our visitors, local and non-local, are surprised to see such a large museum in a relatively small community like Logan County. It is not only the size of the complex but also the professionalism of the exhibits.”
The Logan County Historical Society is the only public collector and repository of Logan County historical artifacts and archives.
“The historical society’s board members, staff, volunteers and membership truly appreciated the support the public has given us over the years through the operational levy and hope voters will continue this support Nov. 5,” McCormick said.
Members of the historical society want people to visit the History Center and see their money at work.
“We believe people will be proud to have such a facility in their county,” McCormick said. “Have us come give a presentation or speech to your church group or civic organization. We want to make sure we fulfill our mission of collecting, promoting and educating people about the wonderful and important history of Logan County.”
In addition, the History Center hosts school field trips, helping teachers teach local history.
“We strongly believe our work with the schools is one of our most important functions,” McCormick said.
The use of the center’s meeting rooms and the Atrium in the Transportation Museum have also become popular meeting sites for local businesses and organizations.
No levy money was used in the construction of the Logan County Transportation Museum. The construction costs came from a $2.4 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation and more than $600,000 from donations by local businesses, organizations and individuals.
If the levy does not pass, McCormick said the History Center’s hours will be significantly decreased and perhaps closed in the winter months.
In addition, staffing would be eventually cut, there would be much less public programming and much less work with the schools.
“The ability to accept, preserve and exhibit historical artifacts and archival donations would decrease greatly due to lack of staffing,” he said.
McCormick asks people remember the levy motto: “It costs so little to save so much.”
For information about the Logan County History Center or the Logan County Historical Society visit www.loganhistory.org or https://www.facebook.com/logancountyhistorycenter/.