Gant Foundation Launches Brick Campaign

ZANESVILLE, OH – A local nonprofit organization is looking to immortalize the life and legacy of a former slave.

The Nelson T. Gant Foundation recently started their “Brick Campaign” to help fund the creation and installment of a 7 foot, bronze, statue of Gant.

Todd Ware, the President of the Gant Foundation, said the bricks that are purchased through the campaign will go to create a walkway and sitting area near the statue at the Gant House.

Ware said that one of his board members had been in talks with Alan Cottrill, to see if he’d be interested in helping with their project.

“Alan expressed after reading the book on Nelson T. Gant and the story about the little man,” Ware said. “He was so passionate about how this little man pulled himself up and became one of the first millionaires and a very predominant businessman in Zanesville.”

Cottrill says that it’s important to show the history of the struggles Gant went through and how he overcame them. He already has an idea of the sculpture in his head.

“I already know what he’s going to look like, that’s easy,” Cottrill said. “But to make him feel like he had, like he was and I think I have some insight in that. He was a self made businessman. In my first life, I was a self made businessman and I know what it takes to do that. The determination, the ups, the downs, the risks you take. I think I feel him and I want the viewer, when they look at this statue, to feel that dynamism, the energy, and the determination and the pride.”

Ware says the estimated total cost of the project is between $107,00 and $108,000.

If you are interested in purchasing a brick, you can stop into the Gant House to pick up an application or head to their website.

The Gant House is located at 1845 W. Main St. in Zanesville.