As part of Ohio History Connection’s Open Doors 2022 statewide event, Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek hosted their second Toast to Time on Tuesday afternoon. Open Doors encourages landowners and operators to allow free access to historic buildings and landmarks for 10 days in September.
Margaret Piatt was on-hand to talk about the history of the castle’s design and preservation, while her husband, James White, offered limestone chiseling demonstrations on the east terrace. Logan Boggs, program manager, gave tours of the unrestored cellar.
The first Toast to Time was held a year ago in celebration of the castle’s 150th anniversary.
“We called it that because someone suggested we have a toast at the end,” Piatt said. “We toasted to the past. We toasted to the people who dug the cellar. We toasted to the people who chiseled the rock.”
At that time, they also announced a change to the running of the property — the nonprofit organization, Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities, would take over the education programming. The Piatt family, which still owns the building, would continue to use their resources to preserve the castle for future generations.
Though this is their first time participating in Open Doors, Piatt said it wouldn’t be the last. And, she added, “We’re actively seeking members and volunteers.”
To find out more, call (937) 465-2821 or visit piattcastle.org.