Byesville Rotary learns about the past and future of the Kennedy Stone House

Pictured: Chuck Fair, speaker host; Jim Ferguson, Pres. Friends of the Kennedy Stone House; Phyliss Jeffries, Pres. Byesville Rotary.

Readings for Feb. 2:

• January Rotarian: "Philanthropy," p. 64.
• February Rotarian: "President's Message," p. 1.

Jim Ferguson, President of the Friends of the Kennedy Stone House located at Salt Fork State Park, reviewed the history of the Stone House and described efforts to restore the house. In 1837, Benjamin Kennedy paid an Irish stonemason $500 to build the 4 room house. For an extra $60, the stonemason also built a root cellar. Kennedy, followed by his son Mathew, raised merino sheep on the farm. In 1914, Mathew’s widow turned the farm over to tenants. In 1966, the homestead was sold to the state.

During this period, the building deteriorated. In 1999, Polly Cornish saw the possibilities of the property and founded the Friends of the Kennedy Stone House. She was instrumental in inspiring dozens of volunteers to donate time or money toward the restoration project. Much has been done in the last 10 years, but the project is far from finished.

When restoration began, only the stone walls of the house remained. Roof and floors were missing. Today, the house has been restored and furnished with period furniture. It functions as a museum, providing a glimpse of life on a Guernsey County farm in the 1800’s.The summer kitchen and root cellar have been rebuilt. An herb garden has been planted and the area landscaped.

In addition to restoring the house, a Veterans Memorial Courtyard has been built to honor all who have served in the military. The Courtyard consists of 1300 bricks, each etched with the name of a veteran. The Friends current project is to complete a Memory walk. The Walk is open to anyone. Bricks for this walk for cost $50. There are a few spaces left.

A cabin to house docents has been completed. This cabin provides a comfortable living space for people who volunteer to dress in period clothing and provide tours for visitors. Already, volunteers have been scheduled for all of 2010 and half of 2011.

The museum is open for tours Friday-Monday from 1:00-5:00, May through October, Thanksgiving Day, and weekends if the weather cooperates. For more information, contact the Salt Falk State Park Office, 740-439-3521.

In other business, Rotary members voted to send a donation to the Rotary’s Haitian earthquake assistance effort. Larry Miller and Chris Morris, co-chairs of the Annual Golf Outing and Fundraisers, reported that Chuck Fair, Marty Patchen, Jan Wilson, and Joe Waske have volunteered to work on the golf outing. Jamie Hoops has volunteered to organize the club’s LifeLine of Ohio support.
The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, February 2, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.