On April 10th, Diana Welling, State Historic Preservation Officer, visited Mariemont Preservation Foundation (MPF) to formally present a grant award of $3,500. The funding comes from the Ohio History Fund, administered by the Ohio History Connection, which supports projects dedicated to protecting and celebrating Ohio’s rich heritage. This is the second year that MPF has received support from the Ohio History Fund.
The occasion also drew the support of local state leaders, including Senator Catherine Ingram and Representative Ashley Bryant Bailey, underscoring the broader community and governmental commitment to historic preservation in the region.
The awarded grant will directly support critical restoration work on the historic Ferris House, specifically, the tuckpointing of the chimneys. Tuckpointing, a masonry repair process, helps stabilize aging brickwork, prevent water damage, and extend the life of historic structures. This kind of maintenance is essential to preserving the architectural integrity and safety of buildings that have stood for centuries.
The Ferris House itself holds a unique and layered place in local history. Constructed between 1802 and 1812, it is the oldest brick building in Hamilton County. The home was originally built for Eliphalet Ferris, whose father served in the Revolutionary War. Over time, the Ferris House adapted to serve new roles. Most notably, it became the construction headquarters for the Mariemont Company during the early 20th-century development of the planned community of Mariemont. This phase of its history ties the structure not only to early frontier life, but also to innovative urban planning efforts that helped shape the Village of Mariemont as it exists today.
Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the Ferris House was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Today, it continues to evolve while honoring its past, as the building transforms into the Mariemont Museum.
The Ferris House Museum Chimney Repair Project is funded in part by the Ohio History Fund, a grant program of the Ohio History Connection. Your donations to the Ohio History Fund make this program possible. www.ohiohistory.org/historyfund
Last modified: May 7, 2026
