The G.W. Adams Education Center, located at 12150 Main Street in Trinway, Ohio, is
the Ohio registered, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Prospect
Place mansion and estate. In short, our mission is to preserve, restore and protect the
mansion and estate while creating educational opportunities for local, regional, and
state-wide citizens and stakeholders.
In the summer of 2016, the founding chairman and supporting board of trustees
announced their collective retirements from organizational responsibilities. At this time,
a call was put out to the remaining active volunteers, requesting a new board be
assembled to assume responsibility and stewardship of the mansion, estate, and all
remaining assets. From an eclectic collection of historic preservation and paranormal
enthusiasts, a new board of trustees was assembled, and in the spring of 2017, the
proverbial torch was passed to the next generation. It was a daunting challenge.
Sadly, in the years leading up to 2017, both the health of the organization and the estate
itself (the mansion and carriage house), were in rapid decline. Ivy had overtaken nearly
half of the carriage house, compromising mortar and brick. Collapsed chimneys had
damaged the mansion’s roof. Rotted and missing soffits and fascia enabled pigeons,
other birds, and bats access to the mansion’s interior, exacerbating decades of natural
deterioration. Failing interior plaster ceilings, decades of accumulated junk and debris,
and more than 40 feral cats (with fleas) who had taken up residence in the mansion all
had to be removed. And if it couldn’t get any worse, a legal dispute between the
mansion’s previous administration and Muskingum County over property tax exemption
and years of unpaid arrearages, had escalated into litigation that was scheduled for the
docket of the Ohio Supreme Court. It was indeed a hot mess!
However, under the careful and deliberate actions of the new board, the mansion’s next
iteration began to emerge. The call went out, volunteers both old and new answered,
and the hard work began. Tons of junk and debris were removed. Ceiling and wall
repairs resumed. Exterior soffits, fascia, and chimneys were repaired, fresh paint
applied. Cats were removed, rehomed and the mansion fumigated. A negotiated
settlement with the county was accepted. Back taxes were paid and all litigation
eliminated. It was an incredible turnaround for a structure that has endured for more
than 170 years as an icon and bedrock in our community.
Historic Prospect Place prompts us to remember and reflect upon our past as Ohioans
and Americans – the triumphs and the tragedies. It is our goal and objective to continue
this work, and that Prospect Place remain a sustainable nonprofit entity, promoting
preservation, history, community accessibility, and George Willison Adam’s vision of a
hopeful future for many, many more years to come.
Care to join us? Volunteers are always welcome!