ADVISORY/The Ohio Historical Society Leads a Media Preview Tour of its 200th Birthday Gift to Ohio--The Restoration of Adena, Home of the Father of Ohio's Statehood, Thomas Worthington.

Business Editors/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for Feb. 8

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2003

Ohio Historical Society

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WHAT

   --  The Ohio Historical Society previews the March 1 public
       opening of the most significant restoration in 50 years at
       Adena: The Home of Thomas Worthington. Adena's March 1 public
       opening is Statehood Day, Ohio's official 200th birthday.
   --  The Adena project consists of the restoration of the Adena
       mansion and gardens and the construction of a new Museum &
       Education Center with educational exhibits.

WHO

   --  Nationally known historic restoration consultant William
       Seale, lead advisor on the Adena mansion restoration, and Ohio
       Historical Society Executive Director Gary C. Ness will speak
       at the event. Seale and Society historians, curators and
       architects will conduct tours.

WHEN

   Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003
   --  11:30-Noon -- Registration & informal discussion at the museum
   --  Noon-1 p.m. -- Lunch; remarks by OHS Executive Director Gary
       C. Ness & William Seale.
   --  1-3 p.m. --- Mansion & museum tours in small groups
   --  3-4 p.m. --- Additional time for interviews

WHERE

   --  Adena is located in Chillicothe, NW of the intersection of
       U.S. 23 and U.S. 35. From U.S. 23, take U.S. 35 west and
       follow the signs to S. R. 104, Pleasant Valley Rd. and Adena
       Rd.

VISUALS

   --  Highlights of the restored 7,200-square-foot mansion include
       brightly colored, handmade wall coverings, original
       Worthington furniture, Brussels carpet, new draperies, floor
       cloths and bed coverings. The museum features a re-created
       Chillicothe street scene, an early 1800s flat boat, a large
       scale model of the site and significant artifacts such as
       Tecumseh's ceremonial tomahawk pipe and Worthington's silver
       service.

BACKGROUND

   --  A nationally recognized historian, author and expert on
       architectural restorations, William Seale has advised on
       dozens of restoration projects including the Blue Room of the
       White House. His projects in Ohio include the Ohio Statehouse,
       the Ohio Senate building and the Ohio Supreme Court. Seale
       believes that "the Adena mansion is one of the most important
       architectural monuments of the early Republic."
   --  Adena is considered nationally significant because it is one
       of only three remaining homes built by America's first
       professional architect, Benjamin Latrobe.
   --  This five-year project, funded by state capital improvement
       funds, expands the educational capability of the site and
       preserves its historic nature for future generations.

   --  ADVANCE REGISTRATION BY JANUARY 31 REQUIRED; SPACE IS LIMITED!
       Contact Maggie Sanese, 800/686-1529, 614/297-2311 or
       [e-mail].