| In October, 1822, plans
were completed for Meigs County's first
courthouse. In November of 1823, the
courthouse was completed and the first trial
took place. Chester was the county seat of
Meigs County until 1841, when the county
seat was moved to Pomeroy, and a new
courthouse was built there.
Between 1869 and 1919, the Grand Army of
the Republic and other groups met in the old
courthouse. Beginning in 1926, it was used
as a community center. Between August and
October of that year, the Return Jonathan
Meigs DAR replaced the roof and made other
repairs.
From 1946 - 1951, the Return Jonathan
Meigs DAR Chapter came to the rescue again,
making much needed repairs with an Estate
Gift left by Mary Bennett.
In 1959, the Chester Grange remodeled the
inside of the building and began holding
their meetings there.
In 1976, the Return Jonathan Meigs DAR
Chapter had the building placed on the
National Register of Historic Places. |
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Beginning in 1995, once
again it was the Return Jonathan Meigs DAR
Chapter that came to the rescue of the old
courthouse. Regent Patrica Holter asked the
chapter to sponsor and extensive
restoration. Mary Powell was named as
chairman from DAR, and Dale Colburn was
named co-chairman from the Ewings Chapter
SAR.
These people have worked extensively and
involved many interested people from within
the county and around the State. An
Appalachian Grant was applied for and funds
of $46,000 made it possible to replace the
sheathing and roof, as well as install new
bracing.
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| For tax purposes, a new
organization was formed to spearhead the
restoration efforts and to better serve the
community. So the Chester-Shade Historical
Association was formed. Much time and money
have been donated by many folks in the
community, and the Modern Woodmen of America
have made numerous matching grants to the
effort.
Representatives of local organizations
compose the board of directors, and under
their oversight, the Association has raised
over $70,000 for the project. An Appalachian
Community Development grant for $20,000, an
Ohio Capital Bill fund grant of $15,000 and
a Kellogs grant of $15,000 have helped
complete the renovations at the historical
building. |
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The Courthouse currently
includes a courtroom, museum center of
folklore, and geneology center, educational
program facilities and more. The
Chester-Shade Historical Association plays
host to the annual Chester-Shade Day
festival in July, and hosts the official
Ohio Harmonica Championships annually.
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