Harrison to tend to grass at historic Burtner House

Harrison commissioners agreed to help the volunteers struggling to operate the township’s historic Burtner House.

With fewer than 10 active members, the Burtner House Restoration Society said earlier this year it was becoming impossible for it to maintain the home and that the group was in danger of shutting down.

The township owns the property, but it is maintained by the society. The lease between the society and the township dates to 1977.

Now, under an amendment to that lease that commissioners approved Monday, the township has agreed to “weed whack” and cut the grass on the premises.

That includes the area around the Burtner House, the hillside surrounding the entrance road to the premises, the grass along Burtner Road, the lower crafter’s lot and the lower area of the premises used for parking and re-enactments.

It will save the society almost $5,000 this year, money that can be used to pay for a new roof, society President Jeff Jones said. Cutting the grass last year cost between $4,600 and $4,800, consuming all the profits from the society’s annual strawberry festival, he said.

“With the township able to help us out, we’re going to be able to reinvest that into the property to keep the upkeep of the house going,” Jones said.

Work on the roof is expected to start in May and be done in time for this year’s strawberry festival in June, Jones said.

The society agrees to “remain responsible for all other maintenance of the premises,” the lease amendment reads. A paragraph is being added to the lease stating that the society will keep all sidewalks free from snow and ice.

The Burtner House will mark its 200th anniversary in 2021.

The society has gained between 20 and 30 potential volunteers since a Trib story in February outlined its struggles, Jones said.

“Things are looking up,” he said. “I’m pretty optimistic about how things are going. I have a list of people I can call to help me get the projects done around the house and volunteers for the festivals.”