National Road-Zane Grey Agreement (cont.)

After receiving comments from community members at a public meeting May 27 and taking into consideration the best interests of the historic site, the OHS Board of Trustees authorized staff to enter into a management agreement. The local organization will take control over the daily July 20, 2009.

"The Ohio Historical Society has one of the largest state site networks in the country, and with financial support from the state of Ohio continually decreasing, we were faced with the prospect of reducing the number of open hours for sites or not opening museums," Laidlaw said. "By teaming up with the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site, we can keep the National Road-Zane Grey Museum open, increase access for visitors and improve visitor services."

Don McKendry, emeritus director for the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site and Exploration Center, said, "We're looking forward to working with the Ohio Historical Society and we're enthusiastic about promoting National Road-Zane Grey Museum along with the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site to visitors and groups. We'll be doing guided tours to help the visitor understand the history of the National Road, to learn about internationally-known author Zane Grey and to see beautiful examples of Zanesville pottery."

With this agreement 34 of the 58 sites in the Society's network of historic sites and museums are managed by other organizations. Under such agreements, the Ohio Historical Society typically provides an annual financial subsidy to a local organization to help underwrite the costs of day-to-day site operations, which primarily includes providing visitor services, educational and interpretive programs and basic maintenance. The local group keeps income from admissions, program fees and rentals. The Society will continue to provide liability insurance, major maintenance and professional resources as well as administer capital improvement projects. Managed sites continue to be a vital part of the OHS network of historic sites and museums.

"These agreements benefit the sites and the communities where the sites are located plus they draw on local enthusiasm and expertise among friends groups to support the local sites and the Ohio Historical Society," Laidlaw said. Working with the state of Ohio, the Ohio Historical Society opened the newly built National Road/Zane Grey Museum in 1973. Today, it has three major exhibits. First is the National Road, early America's busiest land artery to the West. The National Road stretched from Cumberland, Md. to Vandalia, Ill. Begun in 1806, the "Main Street of America" was the only significant land link between east coast and western frontier in the early 19th century. A 136-foot diorama of the National Road plus many objects illustrate this theme. The second features Zanesville-born author Zane Grey, the "Father of the Adult Western" and defines his place in the literary history of America. Grey wrote more than 80 books. His study is recreated plus many manuscripts and other memorabilia are displayed. The third is devoted to art pottery.

New hours of operation will be Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1- 4 p.m. through October 11.
Admission: $7/adult, $3/student (grades K-12), and children and under/free.
The site is located on U.S. Route 40, 10 miles east of Zanesville, in Muskingum County. It is at the Norwich exit of I-70, exit 164.
For information, visit www.ohiohistory.org/places/se07 or call 740.872.3143 or 800.752.2602.