The historic site attracted visitors from throughout the Tristate who were eager to see 19th-century log structures, most moved from other locations and reconstructed on 25 acres in the northeast corner of Warren County. People would show up in old-looking clothes with little advertising and little programming. That leaves the nonprofit site, which boasts the largest collection of 19th-century structures in Ohio, short of funds. As a result, the wooden doors to the log cabins are shuttered, save for special events. Some of the structures are rotting because of the lack of money for proper maintenance.
Educational programming is held to a minimum because there is only one employee.
The village established an executive council, a group of 25 people committed to historic preservation and education. They will serve as key fund- raisers in the fall campaign. The campaign will enable the board to establish some permanent educational programming, he said. The changes the money could bring would be the most extensive the village has experienced since it was founded in 1973. Part of the money raised will go to hiring two people, a program director and volunteer coordinator.