MyHometownOhio will be taking a look over the coming weeks at some of the people involved in Ohio's statewide preservation movement.  Today our new Project Manager, Rachel Mendell, shares a conversation with Preservation Ohio's Director of Development, Marian Vance.

Marian Vance has been involved with the work of Preservation Ohio for many years.

“I admire the work of the organization,” she said, “which has done so much through the years – during a time it was all volunteer driven.” Marian admires the work and vision of past presidents.

“We look hard at every old building that comes down,” said Marian. She sited the example of the string of working class homes nestled in behind the Frank Lloyd Wright home in Springfield. These 1800s homes “really speak of how the neighborhood looked before the Frank Lloyd Wright home was built.” The homes are a snapshot of the era, and Preservation Ohio would like to see them saved.  

At the time Marian became involved, president Ann Antenen was instrumental in saving the Anthony Wayne Hotel in Hamilton, Ohio, now a senior citizens living facility. The hotel was donated to Preservation Ohio, which was able to find a developer to restore the historic building.

“I like the educational programming that Preservation Ohio has always been involved in,” said Marian. She mentioned two of her favorite programs the organization has put on: “Courthouse Revisited” and “Managing Change.” Many of these conferences have resulted in new preservation groups around Ohio that are still meeting today.

Recently, Preservation Ohio was able to salvage architectural details from homes that were scheduled to be demolished for the new hospital that is to be built downtown Springfield. The salvage is now being sold through the ReStore, which is run by Habitat for Humanity. The historic neighborhood, 144 buildings in all, was branded for demolition when Community Mercy Health Center decided to build.

Preservation Ohio was able to negotiate a contract with the city of Springfield and a group from Preservation Ohio was allowed to go into the historic homes and salvage pieces of historic value – pillars, windows, mantle pieces, doors, and trim.

“I also served on the City of Delaware’s Historic Landmarks Commission,” said Marian. “Dublin was really the first I had had a chance to work for the creative reuse of old buildings.”

Marian helped raise money to build the church in Ohio Village and served on the board of the Ohio Historical Society for nine years. She was also president for the historic preservation group Columbus Landmarks Foundation that served as an advocacy group to save the Masonic Temple on Third Street and three historic homes on Broad Street in Columbus.

“My husband and I restored an old home in Springfield three years ago,” said Marian, “at the same time that Preservation Ohio moved its offices there.”

Marian is excited about the New Year for Preservation Ohio. “I’d like to see the educational workshops put on across Ohio,” said Marian. “I’d like to get back to the educational focus that is the root of Preservation Ohio.”

“I’d like to see us raise enough money to help small communities with the revitalization of their downtown areas.”

“The board is really strong right now,” she said. “I think this will be an exciting year for Preservation Ohio.”

-- Rachel Mendell, Project Manager

Photo: Preservation Ohio's Marian Vance, right with Board Member Cyndie Gerken - taken at the ReStore in Springfield, January 2008