Log Courthouse Fund receives donation
The Community Foundation of Greene County recently received a gift to support the Greene County Log Courthouse Fund, and for those working at the foundation, this came as a bit of a surprise.
“I have been working here for eight years now, and since then we have only received two other donations for this fund,” said Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greene County.
J. Robert Rice, 91, of Waynesburg, gave the gift and explained he often likes the past better than the present, and wanted to support the Log Courthouse Fund because, he said, it is one of the few things left in the county that is open to the public.
When he came in to give the donation, he also shared his personal story about the courthouse. During the renovation of the historic building in the early 2000s, he helped chink some of the logs in preparation for putting in new floor joists.
In recognition of his gift to support the Log Courthouse, Rice’s name will be added to a plaque hanging in the building in honor of donors who give over a specific amount to the fund.
The Log Courthouse was built by George Graham and George Ullom for Sheriff James Hook in 1797, a year after Greene County was created in 1796. It was used as the county’s seat of government until about 1800 when a brick courthouse was built on High Street. It is believed to be the oldest log courthouse on its original lot in Pennsylvania, and possibly in the country.
It now houses Cornerstone Genealogical Society and contains local history and genealogy for Greene County.
Greene County Log Courthouse Fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2002 to provide for the upkeep and renovations of the Log Courthouse. It is a permanently endowed fund, which means gifts to the fund will provide a lasting legacy and source of ongoing support for future generations of Greene County residents because only a portion of the income generated from the investment of the fund is used.
“The principal gets invested and grows over time and the interest is what we use to pay for any work that has to be done,” Stammerjohn said.
Stammerjohn believes the fund receives few gifts because people do not know about it.
“We don’t advertise it, so I don’t think many people even realize this fund exists,” she said.
Greene County Log Courthouse Fund is just one of nearly 70 permanently endowed and restricted funds overseen by Community Foundation of Greene County.
The Log Courthouse is open during Cornerstone Genealogical Society’s operating hours, Monday through Friday 1 to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 to 3:30 p.m..
For more information about Community Foundation or to make a donation, contact Stammerjohn at 724-627-2010, send email to cfgc@gmail.com or visit the website at www.cfgcpa.org.