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Representative presses for ODNR role in Adena Mansion maintenance; director says resources and assessment will guide options
Summary
Representative Johnson urged transferring management of the Adena Mansion/Great Seal site to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Director Mary Mertz said ODNR and the Ohio History Connection both have capabilities and that an assessment of needs and costs would help determine the best path forward.
During the House Natural Resources Committee’s Oct. 12 meeting, Representative Johnson raised concerns about upkeep and access at the Adena Mansion and suggested ODNR assume maintenance as part of Great Seal State Park.
Johnson said local visitation is rising and that the mansion is often closed on weekdays; he urged exploration of a partnership that would put the site under ODNR’s park-management practices. “I think we would be better off if that was served as part of Great Seal State Park,” Representative Johnson said.
Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, responded that ODNR has experience caring for historic properties — citing Marblehead Lighthouse and Malabar Farm — but that resource constraints matter. “If we had the resources, we would do a great job,” she said. Mertz suggested a joint assessment between ODNR and the Ohio History Connection to identify physical-plant improvements and operational needs and said the department would “follow the will of the general assembly” on next steps.
Mertz described how partnerships have worked in other cases: some state-designated nature preserves are owned and managed by local nonprofits while others are department-held and operated. Representative Johnson asked for an assessment of what would be required to “run it the right way,” and Mertz agreed to provide or support that analysis as the committee considers options.
No formal action was taken during the hearing; members said they would continue the conversation and consider whether legislation or budget language would be necessary to change management or funding for the site.
