MEET THE STAFF OF THE G. W. ADAMS CENTER:

George J. Adams

George is a descendant of George Willison Adams, the builder of Prospect Place.   He is a 1985 graduate of Tri-Valley High School and grew up in Dresden.  He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and the First Gulf War.  George holds a bachelor's degree in computer science.   In December, 2000, an idea was tossed about over the dinner table between George and his mother about purchasing the old mansion.  He looked into this by sending a letter to the Longaberger Company asking their intentions toward the old home.

Dave Longaberger had purchased the homestead from the Cox Family.  The Cox Gravel Company had the home in their possession and agreed to sell it to "Popeye" Dave Longaberger, himself a distant relative, for restoration.  Dave had a new roof put on the mansion and started some demolition on the inside.  Unfortunately, Dave became seriously ill with cancer and passed away before any more could be done.  Tami Longaberger commented on June 19th, 2001, that;  "it was almost as if Dad had been preserving the old house for someone." 

The Longaberger Company had no plans for the property at the time they were contacted by George and were enthusiastic about the idea of selling the house to a member of the family that built it.  

In 2005 the estate was deeded to the charity George and his partner Felix established.  In 2007 Felix passed away.  As of 2008 George has plans to return to Europe and accept employment with a company there.  He will be turning day to day operation of the estate over to the Adams Center Board of Directors.  It is hoped that the Adams Center volunteers will continue the restoration and operation of the estate.

Felix Spector

Felix was a retired physician from the Philadelphia area.  He came  to Ohio to help support the restoration of the mansion in 2001.  He passed away on 5 December, 2007, at the age of 90 years. 

Monica and Mike Willey

Monica is a teacher at the Zanesville School District (6th grade) and is our historical interpreter and tour guide.  She has proven reliable and helpful in all regards to the project.  Her "networking" abilities are truly amazing and a great asset to us.  Mike Willey, Monica's husband and himself an educator is also receiving an education in old home restoration and lifting heavy things by volunteering his time and effort on the weekends to the project.  By the time he is done Mike will be ready for that beloved house of his own which we know he and Monica will someday acquire.

Kirk Pemberton

Kirk Pemberton is a close friend of George and has a strong background in Archeology.  He is closely related a to Confederate General, John C. Pemberton, and distantly related to the inventor of Coke-a-Cola.  Although his ancestor was on the side of the Confederacy in the Civil War, Kirk is an advocate of freedom and equality for all people.