Historical Society Request Trust Funds

The Apalachicola Area Historical Society requested funds from the Oven Trust to address emergency roof and ceiling repairs along with other maintenance need at the Raney House Museum.

According to City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb, members of the Oven family unexpectedly setup the trust after a family member who lived in Apalachicola years ago, passed away. Afterward, the family of the deceased set aside $50,000 for exclusive use at the Raney House for repairs and maintenance of the city owned building.

Terms of the trust allow 15 percent to be withdrawn from the principal each year along with all the interest income with the exception of the first year’s proceeds.

The Historical Society manages and oversees the daily operations of the museum under an authorized management agreement it has with the city.

Due to needed roof and other repairs, city officials granted at their July 7 meeting, $5,530.41, the amount allowable under the terms and conditions of the trust to the Society to make those repairs possible.

This past year, the Carriage House, which is part of the museum had major damage to the back of the building and were in need of immediate repair to save the structure. At that time, city officials allocated funds from the trust to affect those repairs as well.