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Although a definite move date for the Captain Scott House hadn't been decided by press time, a committee leader said an April 20 deadline would be met.

"We're just waiting on the signature of a land owner," said Donna Herring, chair of the Friends of Captain Scott committee of the Alexandria Community Council.

"The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has given us a deadline of April 20," she said.

Herring is hoping to arrange a color guard send-off for the house, which was built circa 1870 for Joseph M. Scott, an outspoken abolitionist and locally prominent farmer and historian who earned his captainship in the Civil War.

Over a week ago, when a utility pole blew over and state Route 37 was closed at state Route 161 for about an hour, many people who came to the intersection thought the Captain Scott house was moving.

"The basement was out from under it, and they had two of their big flatbed trucks on location," Herring said. "I got some calls and rushed out there, because that was lots earlier than I expected, but it was a false alarm."

In order to move the house, various permits were needed and the phone lines need to be lowered. Embarq is donating the significant expense of dropping those wires, Herring said, but they have to bring in some special supplies to do it.

The house is being moved to make way for ODOT's 37/161 widening project. Land for a new site has been donated on the west edge of the village of Alexandria, and much of the construction of a basement and other infrastructure in the new location has been offered in-kind, as well.

In addition to notice of the Embarq donation, a $5,000 donation was received April 5 from the Hawkins family, Herring said. A $10,000 anonymous donation was received in March. Other pledges include $5,000 donations from American Electric Power, Nelson and Debbie Kohman and Park National Bank.

A Civil War Supper and auction raised more than $9,300 for the cause. Various labor and services are also being volunteered.

Donations are still needed for the relocation, including about $7,000 in expenses associated with the house-moving.

The Dingey Movers crew has completely removed the basement from underneath the house, which is now supported on steel beams and wheels. Some adjustments of the support are necessary, but the house has already been turned on the lot so it can roll out onto 37 when the time comes.

The structure will be moved to its new location mainly cross-country and over Raccoon Creek to the area of the former Brookside Dairy barns. Several of the barns will be removed to make room for the house.

A classic example of the Victorian Italianate architectural style, the home was built on a grand scale and includes an original spiral staircase and stone fireplaces. The fireplace surrounds were recently removed to storage, after thieves attempted to dismantle and steal them.

Current plans for the home when relocated are that it would be used as a public museum and community center after its restoration.

The $7,000 needed to complete the relocation phase of the project must be raised in the next month, and the restoration phase will begin when the house is stabilized in the new location.

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Alexandria Community Council, Friends of Captain Scott Committee, P.O. Box 234, Alexandria 43001. Donation pledges may also be made with Donna Herring, secretary of the Alexandria Community Council (740-924-0516), or by e-mail CaptainScott@AlexandriaOH.org.

For more information, see the Web site www.CaptainScottHouse. org.