Zanesville Remembers Nelson T. Gant

The Nelson T. Gant Foundation is celebrating the birthday of the entrepreneur who rose from slavery to become one of the wealthiest men in Muskingum County.

The foundation was established in 2001 to make the Gant house into a museum. The focus of this year’s fundraiser is to complete construction of the historical house.

Martha Mitchell is a member of the Gant Foundation Board, and she’s working to keep history alive in Southeast Ohio.

"It’s always been one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and we invite people from all over Muskingum County and any other friends that celebrate into things that deal with the Underground Railroad or any kind of historic history of slavery on in Muskingum County, " said Mitchell.

Bishop James W. Gaiters is a Zanesville native who spoke at Saturday’s fundraiser.

"It’s a privilege of mine to be here today as keynote speaker for the Gant Foundation, I’m pleased to be here," said Gaiters.

Mitchell says they’re in the last phase of getting the house ready to be open to the public. She says she hopes to have an open house in December.