The Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS) announced recently receipt of a grant provided by the Ohio Arts Council. The grant, awarded late last year, will support the restoration of a Fraktur, a piece of German folk art featuring elaborate calligraphy and decorative embellishments.

The Fraktur was made in 1791 to commemorate the baptism of Michael Gross(en), a member of the Gross family who came by covered wagon from Hampton County in Pennsylvania to Troy Township in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1821. Similar pieces were frequently created by the Pennsylvania Dutch, a cultural group descended from German immigrants, to recognize important celebrations, such as weddings and christenings.

The Fraktur, a valuable piece of the DCHS collection, is being restored by Jamison Art Conservation in Cleveland and is scheduled to be completed later this year. The Ohio Arts Council grant was supplemented by donations from DCHS members and supporters to cover the cost of restoration.

“We are extremely fortunate to not only have such a beautiful and culturally significant piece of history in our collection but to also have the support of the Ohio Arts Council and our many DCHS donors to restore and preserve it,” said Donna Meyer, DCHS executive director. “It is a privilege to be trusted with the protection of such treasured artifacts and to have the opportunity to share them with our community.”

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. The council was created in 1965 to foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio’s cultural heritage. With funds from the Ohio Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, the OAC provides financial assistance to artists and arts organizations. The council accomplishes this charge in two primary methods; first, through the various grant funding programs that the council operates to provide support to artists and to make arts activities available to a broad segment of Ohio’s public; and secondly, by providing services that help to enhance the growth of the arts. Learn more at https://oac.ohio.gov/grants.

The Delaware County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting, preserving and sustaining interest in the history of Delaware County, Ohio. In addition to regular educational programming for all ages, DCHS owns and curates exhibits at several historical sites, including Nash House Museum, Meeker Homestead & Museum and the Delaware Historic Jail & Sheriff’s Residence. Learn more, view event and exhibit schedules, and find additional museum information at https://www.delawareohiohistory.org/.

The organization also operates The Barn at Stratford event venue for weddings, corporate meetings, and other special gatherings. To learn more, visit https://barnatstratford.org/.