COLUMBUS — A descendant of Ohio's first governor has donated $2 million to state historical programs, the Ohio Historical Society said Thursday.

        Eleanor Mabry of Virginia, who died last year, bequeathed assets of $1 million each to the Ohio Historical Society and the Ross County Historical Society in Chillicothe.

        Chillicothe was the state's first capital and the longtime home of Edward Tiffin, Ohio's first governor and Ms. Mabry's great-great-grandfather.

        Society officials said the gift was good news, especially as the state prepares for its bicentennial next year.

        “It is especially fitting that this bequest comes from a descendant of Edward Tiffin at the very time we are preparing to recognize the contributions of Gov. Tiffin and others who, with him, established our state,” said Gary Ness, Ohio Historical Society executive director.

        The society has not decided what to do with the money.

        The Ross County Historical Society's director, Tom Kuhn, said his group will use its money to create an endowment for a heritage center it is creating in conjunction with Ohio's bicentennial.

        Ms. Mabry, a native of Virginia, never lived in Ohio but was a member of several history-related organizations, including the Ohio Historical Society.

        She made a few small financial contributions to both the Ohio Historical Society and the Ross County Historical Society.

        She died in Newport News, Va., on April 22, 2001.

        Tiffin was elected governor of Ohio in 1803.

New grads gear up in down job market
City's moms among most-wired
Furor's players have interlinked history
Settlement offer to Leisure was recorded
Anderson Twp. woman dies in I-275 crash
DeWine: Cut city employee travel
Drums and bells and love
Four boys face charges in sex assault
Gospel choir cancels Jammin' gig
Group offers church advice
Nation watching, prof says
Obituary: Frederick T. Suggs Sr., magazine publisher
School ordered to pay
Security eased at Kings Island Grad Night
SWAT shines in limelight
Teacher union: Memo unfair
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Beanbag limbo
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: Dueling coalitions
WELLS: Sex abuse
Balloon will give idea of tower height
Tot critical after falling in pool
City dedicates picnic grove to officer's memory
Courthouse tests find no asbestos
Girls find strength in lifting
Old house new home for tourism
Town to tax incomes
Barge company will pay $10M to injured worker
Bush visit could give Taft $1M
Governor's descendant donates $2 M
Ohio welfare population hits plateau at 200,000
Ohio women can get Medicaid for cancer
Edgewood narrows police chief list to 7
Kentucky News Briefs
Report details transit charges
The pill emerges as issue in N.Ky.