×

Washington Co. Historical Society to receive $50,000 grant

Photo courtesy of Washington County Remembered, a publication of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel The Anchorage when it was a private home.

At a glance:

¯ The Washington County Historical Society is receiving a $50,000 grant.

¯ The grant is through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

¯ Funds will be used to replace the heating and cooling system on the first floor of the Anchorage.

¯ They should receive the money after July 1.

Source: Washington County Historical Society.

A grant through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission will allow one of Marietta’s historic buildings to have heat and air conditioning.

Mike Ryan, treasurer for the Washington County Historical Society, which owns the Anchorage, said they should receive the $50,000 grant sometime after July 1.

“We have one year to spend it or lose it,” he said. “It would be nice to have it in by next winter.”

Local archaeologist Wes Clarke prepared the grant application.

“This project supports culture by aiding the preservation of an architecturally and historically significant residential structure that is being operated by the Washington County Historical Society for educational purposes,” he wrote.

The Anchorage was built in 1859 and was included on the Harmar National Register Historic District in 1974.

Jann Adams, historical society president, said they originally asked for about $100,000, which would allow for heating and cooling units on both the first and second floors.

Four furnaces would have been installed, with two on each floor.

Adams said the committee asked if the historical society would instead accept $50,000.

“It will change everything,” she said. “It makes the building usable.”

Ryan said adding heating units to the first floor will still help heat the second floor.

“If we heat this floor, the heat will make its way up,” Ryan said.

The grant will allow for two furnaces in the basement and two air conditioners outside, Adams said. All of the ductwork and registers will also have to be installed.

Ryan said they have someone out pursuing bids for the project. He added that he feels the society is in a good position to get grant money from the facilities commission again next year, as the commission also helped them put a new roof on the Anchorage in 2018.

History of the Anchorage

According to “Washington County Remembered,” a publication of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, two of Washington County’s earliest entrepreneurs, as well as Marietta’s bon vivant, lived in the Italianate-style mansion at the end of Putnam Avenue in Harmar.

Douglas Putnam, bank president, owner of Harmar Bucket Factory and a founder of Marietta College, built Putnam Place in 1859. Sandstone for the house’s 24-inch thick walls was quarried from the hill behind Putnam Place. Local oak was used throughout the house.

Putnam, who helped bring the railroad to the county, died at Putnam Place in 1894.

Boat builder Harry D. Knox purchased the Putnam house in 1895. The mansion was renamed the Anchorage, supposedly because the house’s driveway was shaped like an anchor.

The Anchorage flourished under new owner Edward MacTaggert, who arrived in 1918. MacTaggert, a wealthy businessman, devoted his life to transforming the Anchorage into the cultural showplace of Marietta.

MacTaggart’s sister, Sophia Russell, lived in the house after his death in 1952. The property later became Christian Anchorage Nursing and Rest Home before being purchased by the Washington County Historical Society.

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today