Youngstown, OH (January 10, 2020) – Stambaugh Auditorium has received two grants totaling $50,000 from the J. Ford Crandall
Memorial Foundation bringing the dollars raised for the Monumental Staircase and Facade Restoration Project to a total of $2
million.

The gift from the J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation was announced at a media event held this morning at Stambaugh
Auditorium. Making the announcement were Judge Robert N. Rusu, Jr., Mahoning County Probate Court, which oversees the
Crandall Foundation, along with members of the distribution committee, Attorney Andrew G. Bresko, managing director and Kevin Y.T. Chiu. Judge Rusu commented, “Mr. J. Ford Crandall was a generous man who wanted to make a lasting impact on his community after he passed. The Stambaugh Auditorium has stood as a civic and cultural beacon in Youngstown enriching the community and its citizens. As a cousin of Mr. Henry Stambaugh, Mr. Crandall, would be pleased to know that funds from his legacy are being used to maintain and preserve the landmark made possible by his cousin’s generosity. I am so happy and honored to be able to continue Mr. Crandall’s vision and help such a fine institution with this distribution.” Other members of the committee are Bruce E. Sherman, Brad A. Calhoun, and Michael L. Ray.

JoAnn Stock, Stambaugh Chief Development Officer, said, “We are so grateful for this gift from the J. Ford Crandall Memorial
Foundation which will help us to restore the monumental staircase and facade of this magnificent building to its original splendor.” Stock also noted that the gift from the J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation brings the total raised for the campaign to $2 million in gifts and pledge commitments from local foundations, governmental funding and individual major gifts and community support.

Overall, the purpose of the staircase and facade restoration project is to return the monumental staircase, grand entrance, and
promenade to its original splendor. The cost of the project is estimated at $5 million and will include razing and replacing the Fifth Avenue monumental staircase and promenade, reconstructing retaining walls, cleaning the exterior facade of the building, adding dimensional exterior lighting to the entrances and facades, and restoring all decorative metalwork at the grand entrance. The project will be completed utilizing historically guided materials and in accordance with standards set forth by the Historic Preservation Office of the State of Ohio and the National Register of Historic Places.

Matthew Pagac, Chief Executive and Operating Officer commented on how Stambaugh Auditorium was made possible through the legacy of Henry H. Stambaugh and has been a cultural and historic landmark in the city of Youngstown since 1926. Pagac said, “We are honored to be entrusted with the care and preservation of this building and to continue the mission which is to present events for the enjoyment, entertainment and education of the people of Youngstown and surrounding communities.” “Support from the community and gifts like the one we received today from the J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation help to make that possible,” he added.

For more information about the campaign, contact Stock at [email protected] or 330-747-5175