Ohio Historical Society to raise admission cost $1

COLUMBUS (AP) -- The Ohio Historical Society will eliminate 52 jobs and add $1 to the admission cost at most sites because of budget problems, officials said.
"Certainly this is a very sad day for a number of our valued employees," spokeswoman Kathy Hoke said Friday. "It's a painful day too for all of us."
Ten employees will lose their jobs in Columbus and 12 jobs will be cut at sites throughout the state, she said. The other positions are vacant or filled by employees expected to retire soon.
The increase in prices will start July 1. There also will be reductions of operating hours at sites during off-peak seasons and changes in Statehouse tours, though visitors should not notice changes this summer, Hoke said.
The layoffs are the third for the society in nearly three years. The society has cut the number of full-time equivalent jobs from 400 in 2001 to 278 budgeted for 2005.
The society wants to look for new ways to generate revenue and bolster its volunteer base and will create 10 new positions in the next year as part of a restructuring, Hoke said.
The nonprofit's budget for fiscal year 2005, which begins July 1, is $21.9 million, with $12.5 coming from the state for operations. The state cut funding by $385,000 last year.
The agency also will receive $3.5 million from the state for capital projects.