Gant House Chili Festival Fundraiser

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The Nelson T. Gant Foundation hosted its 14th annual Chili Fest at Gant House this weekend.

The Gant Foundation hosts the Chili Fest each year to help raise money towards the restoration of the historic home. Gant House is the home a former slave who bought his wife’s freedom after he gained his freedom. The Gants settled in Zanesville and built a home which became a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, the home is undergoing a restoration process to help preserve its history.

“The funds that we…gain from the sell of chili goes to the restoration process of this homestead,” said Nancy Edwards, Secretary of the Gant Foundation. “So we’ve been able to do a lot of activities in the last few years to just really build up this home and continue his legacy and share his legacy.”

The Chili Fest sold chili dinners for $6 a meal. The dinners included a bowl of chili, crackers, dessert, and pop. Despite the rain and cold, many still made their way out including Zanesville Mayor Jeff Tilton and his wife. Mayor Tilton says he comes each year to help support a piece of history.

“Well it’s the history of our community and it needs to be saved for future generations,” Mayor Tilton shared. “So that’s something that needs to happen.”

Proceeds from the sale helps the foundation continue to fund various restoration projects of the home. Next weekend, the Gant Foundation will be hosting another fundraiser. The public can come out to Gant House to visit their Christmas Shop and jump start their Christmas shopping.