FROM THE 1860'S THRU 1930'S KELLEYS ISLAND WAS HOME TO MANY WINERIES. THE SCHAEDLER WINERY ORIGINALLY ONE OF THE LARGEST WINERIES IN THE U.S., WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1872. IT STOPPED OPERATION AFTER TWO MAJOR FIRES EVENTUALLY DESTROYED ITS FACILITY DURING PROHIBITION. VERY FEW OF THE SITES OF THE WINERIES ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE. TOURS AND SEMINARS ABOUT THE HISTORICAL SITE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS ABOUT THE EARLY AMERICAN PROCESS OF WINE DEVELOPMENT ARE BEING DEVELOPED. THE PROJECT IS STILL PARTIALLY IN THE RESTORATION PROCESS AND ARTIFACTS FOR THE MUSEUM ARE BEING SOLICITED. THE PRESERVATION OF THIS SITE WILL BE OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WITH THE PASSING OF WILLIAM AND FERN GORCHESTER THE CARETAKERS AND FOUNDERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION IT WAS DECIDED TO SELL THE PLANTATION HOUSE AND THE WINERY AND USE THE PROCEEDS TO MAKE GRANTS TO 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.