Hearty congratulations to everyone involved with efforts to preserve the historic Franklin Square Neighborhood in New Philadelphia, one of Ohio’s 2007 Most Endangered Historic Sites.

Thanks to the hard work of many in Tuscarawas County, the referendum on City Council’s rezoning of the neighborhood to allow the demolition of period homes and erection of a chain drug store was successful. The vote was somewhat close, but the result is clear – the area will not become yet another commercial corner.

This decision was important not only because of the potential impact on the neighborhood itself, but also because the location of the area in question is a sensitive one, if the community wants to preserve an attractive entrance from I-77 into its downtown area.

Above are scenes of Franklin Square, taken during Preservation Ohio’s recent trip there. For local press coverage of the vote, click here.

The “County Courthouses and Community Revitalization” Preservation Summit, co-presented by Preservation Ohio, Heritage Ohio and the Tiffin Historic Trust, is now over. Over 50 individuals, including preservation leaders from across Ohio and a contingent from Michigan, joined in Tiffin to discuss a wide range of topics concerning Ohio’s eighty-plus historic courthouses. Topics included the relationship between courthouses and economic development, their role as civic icons, renovation considerations, funding and more.

Stories from local media that include excerpts from the Summit discussion can be accessed here, here and here.

Now that the event is over, the hard work begins in earnest, as Ohio's statewide and local preservation organizations develop strategies to bring attention to the state's landmark courthouses and to encourage their preservation.

Here are some photos from the Summit:

Elections and levies crowd ballots on Tuesday -- however you can actually vote for Ohio history in totally different way.

The Ohio Historical Society has just announced that three Ohio sites have made the tentative slate of United States nominations to the World Heritage List. The List is a collection of natural and cultural sites that have worldwide significance. The three Ohio sites (the most of any state) include the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks in Ross, Licking and Warren Counties; the Serpent Mound in Adams County, and a listing of “Dayton Aviation Sites,” many of which are associated with the Wright Brothers and the invention of the airplane. A fourth site, one dealing with Underground Railroad landmarks, was not included on the list, but supporters hope public opinion can change that decision.

You can vote by sending a letter of support in favor of one or more of these sites. OHS makes it simple and easy for you to do so; their special announcement webpage includes draft letters to the National Park Service, as well as to other resources.

This November – vote for Ohio!

Photo: Wilbur Wright flying the first airplane - Library of Congress/Public Domain

MyHometownOhio takes a couple of days off as we head to the “County Courthouses and Community Revitalization” Summit on the campus of Heidelberg College in Tiffin – home of the endangered Seneca County Courthouse. Preservation leaders from across Ohio… with some guests from Michigan… will be joining to look at ways to build a solid future for these icons of community and county life.

We’ll be back in a couple of days with coverage of the event!

Photo: Seneca County Courthouse, Tiffin - Preservation Ohio File Photo