Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum’s HVAC upgrade completed
Project: Pictured is a crane moving in the new air conditioning chiller at the Johnson-
Humrickhouse Museum. Photo contributed to The Beacon
COSHOCTON – The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum has completed its 10-year plan to overhaul the heating, ventilation and cooling system. Installed when the facility was built in 1979, the original HVAC system did not have the capacity to regulate humidity nor to control the heating and cooling by zones. Because environmental control is crucial for the protection of artifacts, a localized humidifying system and digital environmental controls were the first projects to tackle. The new humidifiers also eliminated the need for the humidifying circulating system that had been leaking more and more, causing water damage to the facility. This first phase in the plan was completed in 2011 at a cost of $95,000.
Phase two, the replacement of the hot water boiler, air cooling chiller, and heat pump, was completed in December 2015. Total cost for this phase of the project was $173,077. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission contributed $57,960 towards the project and the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum Foundation, $97,349. The balance ($16,668) was covered by rebates from Columbia Gas and AEP.
Now the environmental control is not only more effective but also more efficient so there will be long-term benefits from the decrease in energy costs.
The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum Foundation was created in 1998 by the Coshocton Public Library. Tom Leech, board president at that time, initiated its formation as a way to sustain the museum for future generations. JHM’s small endowment was entrusted to the foundation so that it could be wisely invested. The professional management of endowment funds has allowed the foundation to make a contribution of this kind. The foundation’s goal was also to raise more funds so that eventually only endowment interest would be spent on operations. Its contribution of $97,349 to this project was in addition to its annual support for the museum’s operating expenses. The foundation has been successful over the past 15 years in fulfilling its mission – “Keeping the past alive by the creating, preservation and management of resources to guarantee the future of the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum.”
The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum serves the Coshocton community with exhibits and programs that promote the community, preserve local history, and educate young and old. The museum also serves the community as a tourist attraction and preserver of cultural artifacts. JHM, administered by the Coshocton County Public Library, relies on support from individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations.
Category: People & Places
