Fred Caesar is a man on a mission.

Caesar, president of the Friends of Saxonburg Museum, wants to preserve historic buildings in Butler County for future generations. He says the structures — some of which are in major need of repair — hold many tales to be told for future generations.

But unfortunately, that takes money, and Caesar is finding it difficult to secure funding for the restoration projects, many of which will cost thousands of dollars.

As an example, Caesar says the John Roebling Wirerope Workshop in Saxonburg is in dire need of improvements to its foundation. Estimated cost of the repairs is $250,000.

Caesar tried to tap into the 5% tax that is added to the purchase of every hotel room in the county, but was told the tax, which generated $2.4 million in 2022, is fairly well tied up according to statutes.

Ninety-six percent of the hotel tax goes the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau. The other 4% goes to the county.

Jack Cohen, president of the tourism bureau said the bureau offers $5,000 grants annually to its members to be used for whatever they see fit for their tourism-related business or organization, but Caesar never applied for one.

“It’s very important for the history to tell the story,” Cohen told the Eagle earlier this week. “When we send people to a museum like (Roebling), it’s a beautiful museum and what (Caesar) is talking about is very important.”

Caesar said the $5,000 grants are “great to get in small ways, but we are talking of expenses that are way beyond those types of grants. We are talking significant dollars.”

Undaunted, Caesar has begun looking in other directions to help find money for his project and others like it.

He pitched his plea for funding while testifying at an America250PA’s Infrastructure Improvements and Projects hearing last month. One of the project’s goals is to promote and increase awareness of the educational side of the commonwealth’s history.

“They were very receptive towards the history part of this and see the need. However, I am probably one of 100 that they would have to pick through.”

Caesar’s overall goal is to bring attention to this issue before it becomes too hard to fix. He knows that will take time and money, but he simply just wants to get the conversation moving at this point.

We wish Caesar success in his quest to rescue our historic infrastructure from its disrepair. Maybe some local donors or officials can step forward with funds to get the ball rolling.

But he is facing a tough road ahead in his crusade to preserve Butler County’s history.

– JGG