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Fundraising for renovation nearing goal
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H. William Lawson, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, discusses the progress of a fund-raising campaign to restore the three-story Harry Burt/Ross Radio building on West Federal Street, downtown Youngstown, to serve as the society’s new headquarters.
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An artist’s rendering by Balog, Steines, Hendricks & Manchester Architects of Youngstown of the remodeled exterior of the 22,400-square-foot building. The fund-raising goal is $6 million.
The Mahoning Valley Historical Society had a news conference and tour Thursday of the building at 325 W. Federal St. in downtown Youngstown, which will be its new home. A brief look at the three-story building’s history:
Was built in 1919, with a ballroom added about a year later.
In 1921, Harry B. Burt, a local candy maker and inventor of the Good Humor ice cream bar, bought and remodeled it.
The next year, he opened Burt’s Confectionary, which he ran until his death in 1926. Afterward, his wife took over.
It was here that Burt first mass-produced chocolate-covered bars with a wooden stick as a handle.
Much of the chocolate for his products was made on the third floor.
In 1935, James Ross bought the building and opened Ross Radio Co., which was there until 2007.
The MVHS, looking to expand, bought the 22,400-square-foot building in 2008.
Source: Mahoning Valley Historical Society
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
Nearly three-fourths of the funds needed to restore and renovate a 91-year-old downtown building for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s new home have been raised.
That was a main message of Thursday’s news conference at the Harry Burt/Ross Radio building, 325 W. Federal St., to bring people up to date on progress on the three-story building, as well as the historical society’s Campaign for the Mahoning Valley History Center.
The campaign has raised more than $4.34 million, which is 72 percent of its $6 million goal, noted Carol H. Potter, campaign director.
The MVHS, established in 1875, was exploring expansion options and bought the 22,400-square-foot structure about two years ago partly because the building offered more space and a better location, said H. William Lawson, executive director.
The MVHS and its library are on Wick Avenue, adjacent to Youngstown State University.
Work is under way on the ceilings to the downtown building, which most recently housed the Ross Radio Co. Later this month, a new roof and windows should be installed, Lawson explained, adding that interior renovations are to begin this winter.
“We want people to think of this as a community center. We want to share it with everybody,” he said.
When finished, the basement will offer mobile storage units and will allow the historical society to have its entire archive collection in one place, Lawson said.
The second-floor ballroom, which opened in 1920, is to be restored and used for receptions, reunions, dancing, anniversary parties and other events, he noted. The top floor will consist of two classrooms, education and media centers, a resource room and office space, Lawson continued.
It is hoped the historical society will be moved in by early 2012, noted Leann Rich, education and external-relations specialist.
Remarks also came from Mayor Jay Williams; Kenneth Carano, Gov. Ted Strickland’s regional representative; state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd; and a representative from the office of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th.
The event also featured tours of the building, five drawings of the completed facility and recognition of major donors to the project.