By Hailey Dixon for the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican
Two historic Lincoln County buildings will receive grant funding from the Heritage Trust Fund of the Kansas Historical Society for structural improvements and preservation.
The Marshall-Yohe House in Lincoln and the Cross and Morgan General Store in Sylvan Grove were selected after an application process in late 2017 and announcement earlier this month to receive the funds.
According to a press release obtained by the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican, the Marshall-Yohe House is set to gain $19,661 in funding, and the Cross and Morgan General Store will get $15,417 in funding.
“I think it’s wonderful that they received the grant,” said Kelly Larson, Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director. “I’m passionate about historic buildings.”
The two structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Marshall-Yohe House, Lincoln
Lincoln Historical Society President Kathie Crispin said the improvements to the Marshall-Yohe House, which is owned by the Lincoln Historical Society, will be applied to only the roof and gutter.
“I am thrilled,” she said. “Of course, we didn’t get as much as we requested, but at least the amount that we did get will take care of our roof and guttering system to help preserve the house.”
In early March, Crispin will attend a meeting in Topeka that will give instructions for the project, as well as a timeline.
“Depending on the contractor that we choose and [their] schedule, hopefully it will be done this summer. But it may be next spring.”
Crispin said there was another grant from Lincoln County WEB Fund that was applied for to fix the garage.
“We’ve already received that money,” she said. “So we’re hopefully going to start on that right away.”
The grant money is not received until the project is completed, Crispin said.
Looking forward, Crispin said there will be a fundraiser soon to gain funds to paint the house.
“Because it is pretty vital that the house be painted soon too, so that we don’t damage it anymore,” she said, “or so it doesn’t become weathered anymore.”
Crispin said the house was recently used in Lincoln Reenactment Days.
Cross and Morgan General Store, Sylvan Grove
Roof improvements is what the funding will be applied to with the Cross and General Store, said Sylvan Grove resident Terry Lilak, who wrote the nomination for the Cross and Morgan General Store.
“It’s leaking in, and it’s going to tear the building a part if we don’t get it fixed,” Lilak said.
The structure, which is made out of limestone, is on the original townsite of Sylvan Grove, Lilak said.
“This particular structure is one of the oldest buildings in Sylvan,” Lilak said. “It’s constructed very well. It’s lasted 130 or 140 years.”
Tommie Burger, the owner of the property, will be helping with the improvements.
Eighty percent of the funds are provided by the state and 20 percent of the funds are provided by the owner of the structure, Lilak said. The grant fund money is not reimbursed to the structure until after the improvements are made, Lilak said.
After the improvements are made, Lilak said, Burger may allow the public to come see the structure.
“It’s just another attraction in our town that people interested in history would appreciate seeing,” Lilak said.
