May 5, 2003 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

DUNBAR TWP. – Over two decades of zoning battles with the county have prompted the beleaguered owners of the historic Meason House to put it on the online auction block. Around noon on Sunday, the nationally recognized landmark, privately owned by Terry and Diane Kriss, was listed on e-Bay, the Internet’s most popular marketplace.

“This is not something we wanted to do. This is something we’re being forced to do,” said Terry Kriss.

The sandstone home, built in 1802 for ironmaster Isaac Meason, along with the accompanying stone structures comprising the mansion, a smoke house and former slave quarters, will be deeded over to the highest bidder in 30 days.

The listing does not include the four-acre property, only the structures.

The new owner must also commit to dismantling the structures and re-establishing them elsewhere.

“The goal here was to restore the house and make it somewhat self-sustaining and an enjoyment to others,” said Terry Kriss. “Unfortunately, all the monies that I have earned in my own business have gone into its protection and its restoration.

“I’m to the point where I am physically and financially exhausted. The site is so devalued, because of decisions made by county politicians.”

The Krisses purchased the four-acre property and home in 1977 from the Joseph Cellurale family, who retained a portion of the real estate.

Soon after they took possession, the legal battles began with the couple trying to maintain its heritage as commercialization of the area edged closer.

While successful at limiting the operations of a strip mine to the rear of home and preventing the erection of a cellular telephone tower nearby, the couple has not been able to convince the county to restrict the auto-body repair business of their neighbor.

Two years ago, the county approved the rezoning of 28 acres surrounding their home that would allow commercial businesses to be established.

“Now I have a four-acre parcel in a sea of commercial development and a 12-foot wide umbilical cord to Route 119,” said Terry Kriss.

The classification, said Terry Kriss, is contrary to a land-use plan devised by an outside firm with federal funding that designated the area as rural conservation.

The move to place the only Georgian-style seven-part Palladian structure in the U.S. on the auction block came in December when Terry Kriss was watching a news broadcast that featured a story about an entire town being placed for sale on e-Bay.

“(The town) had been on the market for two years and there were no takers,” said Terry Kriss. “They put it on e-Bay and within 30 days it was sold.”

The couple said they would be keeping a close eye on the bidding that starts at $100,000.

“If Fayette County isn’t going to act to protect this house, then we will find someone who will,” said Diane Kriss. “Hopefully an individual or an organization will have the desire to take it and preserve it.

“It deserves a setting befitting it and the county is not going to do it.”