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Restoration Projects

From the Ground Up

2005 through 2007

In 2005, Piatt Castles Company, a private museum, and a nonprofit organization, The Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities, began an exciting project called, From the Ground Up.  It involves archaeologists, historical horticulturalists and agricultural historians, master gardeners, and artisans working with volunteers, youth groups, teachers and students.  Together they are researching, and restoring original landscape features associated with Mac-A-Cheek Castle which was built from 1864-1871 as a home for General Abram Sanders Piatt and his second wife, Eleanor Watts Piatt.  The intention is to structure every phase of the project as an interpretive and experientially educational program focusing on historical restoration.

The complete program involves reclaiming an ornamental garden to its original appearance in the 1870s, restoring the collapsed sections of a limestone and brick tunnel that connects the garden to what had been a conservatory, and rebuilding the glass conservatory walls which have been gone since the 1920s.  When the project is complete the garden will be maintained by volunteers interested in historical gardens and the benefits of gardening.  The conservatory will not only add a space for growing flowers, it will also feature exhibits on heirloom varieties and provide a room where workshops, concerts, parties, and programs can occur. 

 

The initial focus has been on the tunnel. Funded by a grant from the Ohio Humanities Council, nearly 700 people including 200 scouts participated and observed an initial archaeological excavation of the site over Labor Day weekend in 2005.  Work continued in 2006, funded by local businesses and organizations resulting in 80% excavation of the tunnel.  The excavation will be completed in the spring of 2007 with help from local vocational agricultural students.

What has been accomplished:

 

Volunteer to Help

Add a Name to the history of the Castle. 

Purchase a paver that will become part of a new walkway covering the tunnel once it has been restored.  You will receive a confirmation receipt and a certificate of authenticity.

Call or email our office for more information on this ongoing project.

Make a Donation.

Click this button to make a donation to the restoration efforts at Piatt Castles.  You will receive a confirmation of your donation in the mail.

 

 

HABITAT ENHANCEMENT:

PROJECT TO BENEFIT ANGLERS AND LANDOWNERS

A section of Mac-O-Chee Creek and its floodplain at Logan County’s Piatt Castles will be returned to its natural state, which will benefit the fish, wildlife, and water quality of this Mad River tributary, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

             

“This floodplain restoration is a cooperative effort between the Division of Wildlife and the Piatt Castles in Logan County,” said John Navarro, Stream Conservation Program Administrator for the Division of Wildlife.  “The majority of the funding for the project is being provided from the Division of Wildlife’s Wildlife Diversity & Endangered Species Fund.”  He added that these funds are derived from the sale of Cardinal license plates and check-off donations on the Ohio Income Tax Form 1040.  Funding is also being provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.

             

The project will restore a 1,500 foot section of the Mac-O-Chee Creek, which was straightened in the early 1900s, to its natural, winding state.  The floodplain, also on the Piatt Castles property, will be restored as well.  A floodplain is nature’s filter when streams reach flood stage, breaking down pollutants and trapping sediments, and helping to prevent damaging flood events.

             

“There are many benefits to restoring a creek to its natural state,” said Ken Cunningham, Fish Management Supervisor for the Division of Wildlife’s central Ohio district.  “Straightened streams lack features like pools and riffles that provide important fish habitat.  This creek will now be able to support greater populations of many fish like the brown trout, a popular target of Ohio anglers, and the endangered tonguetied minnow.  Vegetation will be planted along the shore.  This will create a natural environment, allow pollutants to be filtered by the plants, keep water temperatures low, maintain healthy levels of dissolved oxygen, and create fish and wildlife habitat.  Fishermen will have the opportunity to experience the improved habitat first hand as the entire restored area will be open for fishing.”

             

This project will take place at the Piatt Mac-A-Cheek Castle property and will not affect other landowners in the area.  The newly restored creek will be a focal point of a planned environmental center for land study at Mac-A-Cheek Castle. 

“Our goal is to enable learners of all ages to explore the history and science of the area around the Castle.  We plan to use workshops, tours, and programs sponsored by our non-profit organization, the Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities, to help accomplish this” said Margaret Piatt, Executive Director for the Piatt Castles.  “The restored creek will have tremendous educational value in demonstrating what the area was like in the 1800’s, and will provide opportunities to learn about the historic and present day importance of streams to people, fish and wildlife.  We also intend to provide nature trails that will allow people to get an intimate view of fish and wildlife in the restored area.”  

The project will be completed by Oxbow River and Stream Restoration Inc. of Delaware, one of a handful of companies in the United States that specializes in stream and floodplain restoration.  Construction and completion is scheduled for winter and spring 2007.  The effects of this project will also be closely monitored by researchers at The Ohio State University.

To make a donation to the Wildlife Diversity & Endangered Species Fund, check line 28 on Form 1040 of your 2006 Ohio Income Tax return.

 

For Further Information Contact:

John Navarro, Stream Conservation Program Administrator, Division of Wildlife

(614) 265-6346

-or-

Ken Cunningham, Fish Management Supervisor, Division of Wildlife

(614) 644-3925

-or-

Jim White or Margaret Piatt, Piatt Castles

(937) 465-2821