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Carole Mikita Reporting...The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today marked the completion of an historic restoration project in Kirtland, Ohio.
The project includes six buildings, plus a visitors center and a family history center.
The Newell K. Whitney general store is circa 1830. Its restoration is already widely recognized. In 1984, it received the Ronald Reagan Award for the most perfectly restored building of its type in America.
Kirtland Mills, as the settlement was originally called, was an area of religious revival in 1830. The latter-day saints moved in a year later, and it became a thriving community.
The school house was restored after its foundation was discoverd during an archaeological dig. Its doors were officially opened at today's news conference.
Elder T. Bowring Woodbury/Visitors Center Director: "MUCH OF WHAT WE ARE AS A RELIGION TODAY DATES BACK TO THE EVENTS THAT OCCURED AND THE REVELATIONS WERE RECEIVED HERE IN KIRTLAND."
Also open today, the Ashery -- the only known restored structure of its kind in North America. 172 years ago, potash was made here. Next to it, a restored sawmill. There was also the Johnson Inn. and the Newell K. Whitney home. All these buildings are appreciated by Ohio's historians.
Kathie Purmal, Lake County Historical Society: "RECREATED DOWN TO THE FINEST DETAIL. I KNOWTHE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH THAT WAS DONE TO RECREATE THAT HOME."
Bob Ulas, Director, Lake County Visitors Bureau: "WE'RE TALKING SOPHISTICATED AUDIO-VISUALS COUPLED WITH METICULOUS RENOVATION THAT IS TRULY AN ENJOYABLE VISTOR EXPERIENCE."
Church leaders say these restorations bring back memories of the faith's humble beginnings -- for a religion that now spans the world.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints : THIS HISTORY HELPS DEFINE WHO WE ARE TODAY. IT HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHERE WE COME FROM, WHAT THOSE ROOTS ARE AND WHERE WE ANCHOR TO AS WE GO FORWARD.
This general store was the economic center of historic Kirtland. The restoration project as a whole will undoboutedly bring an economic boon to the Kirtland of today.
