Historic Ravenna Carter House gets an upgrade thanks to state grant

For more than 100 years, the Carter House in Ravenna was a home to generations of the Strickland family. More recently, the historic Greek Revival farmhouse on South Chestnut Street has served as an example of the way local residents once lived.

Now, the Portage County Historical Society is renovating the house, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the state. 

State and local officials recently gathered at the house on the historical society's campus to celebrate the renovation, which includes replacement of the roof, ice and water guard, gutter and downspouts, as well as foundation work in the basement. The historical society hopes to do other work to buildings on its campus with future grant funding and donations. 

State Rep. Gail Pavliga hailed the historical society for preserving history. She said she was impressed when she visited The Liberty Camp and saw how the site is used to teach history to children. She called the site a "vibrant place" where history is restored and preserved.