Area non-profits to partner at Scott House

(Courtesy of the Highland County Historical Society)

The Highland County Historical Society has been discussing ways to preserve the integrity of the Scott House located on West Main Street.

Many options have been discussed, and the Society has decided that it needs to be a working part of the community. The Board has carefully considered the costs of maintaining the building and the income needed to cover those expenses.

On Friday, one of the most important steps was realized as the Highland County Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Valley RC&D Council agreed to become the first tenants in this important historical structure.

Pamela Nickell, chairperson of the Highland County Historical Society said, “We are very excited about this extremely important step.”

John Kellis, board member of the Society and Executive Director of the Ohio Valley RC&D Council, added: “I have worked with many non-profit entities to save historic structures, and I realized a long time ago how difficult to justify funds for renovation when the building is not being used or when the use of the building is not practical.

"Finding an appropriate purpose for the building is ideal, and we believe that the beauty of the historical Scott House can become the ‘Front Door’ to the city of Hillsboro.

"We envision the Scott House as a key information center for Hillsboro and Highland County. It is exciting to see that the Chamber of Commerce and the RC&D have similar visions for the facility.”

“The Scott House is not just another building, but a scenic property that dominates the west side of town. It represents the best of Hillsboro, and I can’t imagine losing it,” said Kellis.

The community has always had a strong connection to this historic structure. Citizens and businesses worked together in the early 1990’s to raise funds to restore the building. The front courtyard is reminiscent of times past and has the ambience that is perfect for a variety of community functions. The Historical Society has some plans to use the courtyard during the Festival of the Bells.

The Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual dinner at the Scott House on Thursday evening June 19. The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is an active advocate and resource for our business community, providing economic and community development.  

Chamber President Melissa Elmore said: “Having the Ohio Valley RC&D and the Chamber as tenants under one roof is a great beginning platform to not only understand the dynamics of our community and provide a space where a free flow of ideas and information among different organizations.  

The Chamber serves more than 300 for profit and nonprofit members who play a key role in the development of our community.
 
John Kellis and Pamela Nickell of the Historical Society together with Melissa Elmore and Steve Thompson of the Chamber have been working to get this agreement completed. The fact that the Ohio Valley RC&D Council agreement also came to fruition made it that much more satisfying to the group.

The Chamber was the first tenant to begin discussions with the Historical Society to reserve space in this historical structure, and the goal is to fill its glorious rooms with other tenants as well. Using the structure for offices for community-based organizations or businesses will help preserve the structure for future generations. Rent is designed to be reasonable and the building is handicap accessible on the first floor. The Society also plans to make a community room on the first floor available for meetings.

Ohio Valley RC&D is a non-profit organization that assists groups, projects, and organizations with project development, grant research and grant writing, and organizational development such as by-law development, non-profit applications, and strategic planning.

The Council serves a ten-county region and also sponsors environmental projects, watershed management efforts, and through its Project Sharing Program, brings food, drink, and home goods to area shelters, food banks, and churches.

According to Ralph Jennings, chairman of the Ohio Valley RC&D Council, “We believe the Mission of the RC&D is a perfect fit for the vision for the Scott House, we are glad to be a part of the project.

“The Society has worked hard to find a viable way to preserve the mansion; it has not been easy as the size of the house itself requires a significant amount of money to maintain," Nickell said. "We feel that we are on the right path to preserve its beauty for future generations.”