Monday, February 08, 1999
Ft. Ancient caught in middle of dispute
$5 million project threatened in Piqua
The Associated Press
PIQUA, Ohio — A dispute over Indian artifacts is jeopardizing a $5 million renovation at Johnston Farm, which was chosen as part of a statewide bicentennial project.
State Rep. Robert Netzley, R-Laura, has blocked money for the local part of the project. He has accused the Ohio Historical Society of acting “like a thief in the night” by moving the artifacts to Fort Ancient State Memorial in Warren County.
The dispute could prompt the historical society to scale back the renovation and move ahead on other sites chosen for the project, called “2003: Gateways to History.”
“If we feel this is not the time to move ahead on Piqua because of public discord or financial constraints, we would turn to other projects,” said Gary Ness, the historical society's executive director.
Mr. Netzley and lawmakers who support his position said they won't budge. “Right now, we are in a battle of will,” said State Sen. Rhine McLin, D-Dayton.
The historical society “doesn't sound as flexible as I would like them to sound. The community should have the opportunity to have involvement. It's gotten to be an emotional issue.”
No one expected such problems when the project was announced. The historical society chose eight sites around the state for upgrades and expansion as Gateways to History. Work began in 1996 and more than $18 million has been invested in the project, which could total $100 million.
The Piqua site is the third to be renovated and was scheduled to receive $5 million to $7 million. The historical society planned to make agriculture the theme at Piqua and moved some artifacts displayed there to Fort Ancient, which will highlight American Indian history.
“A total of 67 objects that were formerly at the Piqua museum are now on exhibit at Fort Ancient,” Mr. Ness said. “None of those are tied to Piqua or the Piqua area.”
Some residents were unhappy over the transfer of artifacts. Mr. Netzley said residents were not consulted about the artifacts.
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