America 250-Ohio Grant Awarded

Historic Fort Steuben is excited to announce it has received a Trillium Local Activity Grant from the America 250-Ohio Commission for its upcoming project titled, “Surveyors’ Museum.”

The Surveyors’ Museum is being developed in one of the blockhouses in the reconstructed Historic Fort Steuben and will trace the history of surveying from the Egyptians to modern times with a particular emphasis on the tools and procedures used during the 18th century.  Fort Steuben was originally built to protect the surveyors of the Seven Ranges of the Northwest Territory which started at the Point of Beginning in East Liverpool, Ohio.

“We are truly grateful and excited to have this project as part of the America 250-Ohio celebration,” said Judy Bratten, executive director of Historic Fort Steuben. “Working with Ann Besch of the University of Akron and Bob Akins of the Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio, we are creating a significant historical and educational exhibit. The rectangular land survey that started here in Ohio ultimately continued across the country and is still used today. It has played an important role in the development of the United States.”

The Trillium Local Activity Grants offer up to $5,000 for projects with a local or community-wide impact. These projects may include exhibitions, interpretative panels, local commemorative programs or activities, local public events, educational, public programs, and smaller digital and documentary media projects.

“The America 250-Ohio Commission congratulates The Old Fort Steuben Project on this grant award. Their efforts in educating the public and honoring Ohio’s illustrious history are deeply appreciated,” said Doug Preisse, co-chair of the America 250-Ohio Commission. “As we near America’s 250th   these projects will play an essential role in elevating our state’s history and bolstering our communities’ efforts to execute impactful initiatives during such a monumental celebration.”

The Old Fort Steuben Project was one of the 61 recipients chosen from the more than 170 statewide applications during the grant program’s spring 2024 funding cycle. In total, America 250-Ohio, awarded approximately $600,000 in grants to communities and organizations across Ohio as part of the commission’s second funding cycle. Combined with the approximately $400,000 in grants awarded in January 2024, the America 250-Ohio Commission grants program has worked with Ohio Humanities to distribute $1 million in grants to 84 organizations across the state.

The grant program was designed to showcase the achievements, struggles, honors, innovations and significance of all people in Ohio since before its founding to the present day. Themes identified for Ohio’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary programming include:

● Celebrations and Signature Events: Impacting tourism and economic development

● Ohio Originals: Highlighting points of pride and unity

● Engaging Youth and Lifelong Learners: Education and scholarship

● Inclusive Statewide Engagement: Museums, arts and culture

● Telling Ohio Stories: Highlighting stories of Ohioans past and present

For more information on Historic Fort Steuben and the Surveyors Museum, visit www.oldfortsteubenproject.com.  To learn more about the America 250-Ohio Commission’s grants program visit America250-Ohio.org/grants/.