By Amanda McCoy
amccoy@wbcowqel.com
Restoration is underway at the Gill House in Galion. The 10-year project will cost between $300,000 and $400,000 and aims to rebuild the 110-year-old residence. The Gill House is the only remaining residential example of the architect Louis Kamper’s work.
The home was recently purchased by the Preserving Galion History (PGH) society, which is comprised of volunteers who are interested in preserving the prominent early 20th century houses in Galion. They chose the Gill House because of its location on Harding Way West. PGH has modeled its project plan for the Gill House after the T&CO Train Station restoration in Bucyrus.
Craig Clinger, PGH volunteer on site, confirmed plans to reconstruct the signature columned porch on the front of the house. They are working on replacing rotted wood siding and hope to have the entire west side of the house painted by the end of the summer. However, the house will need work on the inside as well to completely restore the historical site. PGH also hopes to raise money to purchase a furnace to heat the first floor.
PGH holds workdays at the Gill House, 342 Harding Way West, Galion, on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Volunteers are welcome to come to the site to assist in the restoration project.
PGH also opens the house for tours beginning the first week in July and continuing throughout the summer and fall on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Tours run from 1:00pm-3:00pm and cost $5. They enjoyed over 1,000 visitors last season.