Its great news in Jackson, where the outstanding James Cemetery Restoration Project has been named the 2007 winner of Time Warner’s “Save our History” contest. With this designation comes a $5,000 grant and important promotional assistance.

According to a press release issued by Time Warner, the project represents “…a volunteer effort to restore one of Ohio’s historically significant cemeteries. Assisted by veterans’ organizations and concerned citizens, JCOGS (Jackson County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society) has cleared the cemetery of brush, repaired vandalism damage, restored fractured or leaning gravestones and located approximately 30 more gravesites that had become completely buried. The cemetery contains the only remaining ancient Hopewell Indian mound in Jackson. JCOGS began the project in late 2005 and hopes to install a period fence around the cemetery to protect it against further desecration.”

The project’s website, which can be accessed by clicking here, outlines not only the project with descriptions and photographs, but also profiles several of the individuals interred there, including Major John James, an important figure in the military history of late 18th century Ohio.

The James Cemetery has been featured on Preservation Ohio’s “Endangered Watch List” since March.

Other Time Warner winners include the “Hear My Stories: The Underground Railroad” project at the Kelton House in Columbus and continuing efforts to restore the Linn School in rural Marion County.

Photo: James Cemetery, Jackson, prior to commencement of work - Courtesy of Jackson County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society

The task force set up to create rules for the new Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit has finished its work, and its final recommendation has now been posted to the Register of Ohio. According to the required Public Notice filed by the Department of Development, comments concerning these rules must be received by May 11, and a public hearing will then be held on May 14 at 10:00 a.m. in the offices of the Department.

The five proposed rules cover the basics of eligibility, submission and required work to obtain the new tax credit. This include the application, monitoring and enforcement process, as well as rules pertaining to who may apply, the nature of the required cost and benefit analysis, the transferability (or, actually, the apparent lack of transferability) of the tax credit, and the requirement that both large and small project are represented.

Click here to access the posting page, and scroll down to view the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Rules. Click on “Rule Number,” and then on “Rule,” to read the proposed wording of each. Comments should be sent to:

Robert P. Stempfer, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel
Ohio Department of Development
77 South High Street, 29th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

or can be e-mailed to: rstempfer@odod.state.oh.us

Photo: Ohio House of Representatives during Statehood Day 2006 - Preservation Ohio File Photo