The Cox Gravel Company opened the house for tours in 1976 during the American Bicentennial. After the inevitable result of a lack of maintenance over the course of a century had taken its toll on the structure it was closed. A leaking roof had caused some floors to become unsafe and collapse. Also, vandals regularly broke into the house and did terrible damage through the 1980’s.
In 1988 the house was scheduled to be demolished as a safety hazard. The roof was ready to collapse as was the cupola and the floors were falling in. Local businessman and relative of the Adams family, Dave Longaberger, became interested in the home. An avid local history buff and preservationist of other local historic buildings he could not bear to see the home torn down. The Longaberger Company purchased the house and started repairs. A new roof was installed and demolition for new construction was started. Unfortunately Mr. Longaberger’s illness stopped the project in its tracks, and the home was boarded over whilee awaiting a new savior.
The Longaberger Company kept security on the house until September of 2001 when the home was sold to George Jeffrey Adams. In the first year of the project the floors of the house, which were unsafe, were repaired. Masonry repairs were completed, electrical service and water were restored. The windows of the home were repaired, new glass being installed. Mantel reconstruction was started, the original mantels having been vandalized. Two new gas furnaces were installed and a state of the art alarm system was put in place to protect the house in the future. The old house is now equipped with a computer network, and new locks and safety equipment have also been installed.
Historic Prospect Place is owned and operated by the G.W. Adams Educational Center, Inc.,
an Ohio-registered, all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.