After listening to the pleas of interested citizens among the 200 gathered for the meeting, and considering a letter from the Ohio Historical Society, on Monday Marion City Council unanimously rejected a proposed re-zoning of land near the tomb of President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding.
The plan to construct a nursing home facility had been in the Marion planning and zoning pipeline for the last several weeks. According to this story in the Marion Star, the Society’s letter was key, as it suggested that the developer’s plans would have the potential to permanently alter the Harding Memorial site.
According to Scott Crider of Preservation Ohio, the speakers included Pete DeWolfe, great-grandson of First Lady Florence Kling Harding. Scott also referenced the OHS letter, saying that “…you could sense and feel the mood change when Erin Bartlett read George Kane's letter regarding the Ohio Historical Society's position.” Scott further notes that other concerns of Council included the placement of a proposed curb cut.
This defeat at rezoning does not solve the dilemma posed by development-oriented zoning near the Memorial, the setting of which was included on the 2005 and 2007 Lists of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites. The area remains under R-1A residential zoning.
As it happens, the vote coincided with announcement of the beginning of a multi-month “facelift” of the Memorial itself, including repairs to marble and the restoration of interpretive plaques. Click here to access a website with several additional photographs of the Harding Memorial.
Congratulations to Marion City Council, and here’s hoping that the citizens of Marion, the property owner and the Ohio Historical Society can work together to create long-term protection for this important piece of Ohio and US history.
Photo: Harding Memorial and, to the rear, part of the proposed re-zoning acreage - Preservation Ohio File Photo
Welcome to a step into the future of preservation. In honor of National Preservation Month in May, as well as our 27th birthday on April 27, Preservation Ohio has announced that it will host two “live blog” events during the first two Fridays of the month.
“Live blogs” are a means of interacting with site visitors in real time. The site moderator is able to provide a continuous feed of information, while those visiting the site can ask questions and add comments, which appear instantly on the blog. The moderator can also post links, pictures, videos – or even news stories. Twitter feeds can also be added, giving Twitterers a chance to participate as well.
The live blog will appear simultaneously on the following sites:
• The main Preservation Ohio website at: www.preservationohio.org • Here on our blog, MyHometownOhio, located at: myhometownohio.blogharbor.com (please note: no www). • The Ohio Preservation Network at: www.ohiopreservationnetwork.com
The two sessions, and the topic for each, will be as follows:
• Friday, May 1 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – “Preservation in Ohio Live Blog” – A general look at the state of historic preservation in Ohio today. Visitors will also get a sneak peek at properties listed on the 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.
• Friday, May 8 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. -- “Revitalization in Ohio Live Blog” – A look at preservation-based downtown and neighborhood revitalization in Ohio communities. From Main Street to your street, we’ll answer your questions and share information.
It is believed that this may be the first time that live blogging has been used by a preservation organization in this fashion. Preservation Ohio was also the first statewide preservation organization in the country with a self-written blog (begun in mid-2006), and currently has almost 900 fans, followers and friends on social networking sites. This May we officially launch the Ohio Preservation Network, an online meeting place for friends of preservation in Ohio.
We look forward to having you join us for this exciting foray into interactive technology.
The following Press Release was issued this afternoon:
"Preservation Ohio has announced that this morning it filed a motion in the Seneca County Court of Common Pleas seeking recognition as an amicus curiae party in a pending action involving the Seneca County Courthouse. In specific, the organization is asking for the opportunity to provide briefs to assist the Court in its deliberations.
Some weeks ago, Seneca County Commissioners filed a Complaint seeking the Court to declare that it had complied with the City of Tiffin architectural review ordinance, which governs external changes to buildings located within the downtown historic district. Last week, the County, together with the City of Tiffin, presented joint stipulations of fact that supported the Commissioners’ contention. If granted, the relief requested would mean that the county could proceed to demolition of the courthouse without further obligations under the ordinance.
In its motion, Preservation Ohio shared its willingness to share information with the Court relative to the matters being considered, including the impact of the demolition on the fabric and development potential of the downtown architectural review district. Further, the organization stated that:
“We know of no reported cases in Ohio where the interface between levels of state government interests have been weighed in the context of historic preservation or architectural review ordinances, as distinguished from zoning ordinances. As such, this case will likely have substantial precedential import as other communities consider the future not only of county courthouse facilities, but of other county and state-owned properties…. It is therefore in the best interests of the entire state that the decision reached in this case be based on a complete consideration of all relevant facts, and not just those included in the submitted Stipulation of Facts.”
It is important to note that the County has granted permission for an independent group to develop a renovation and funding strategy for the courthouse, which must be presented by mid-July, at the same time that it is pursuing this ruling. The Seneca County Courthouse, designed by noted architect Elijah Myers, has been included on the List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites since 2005.
Preservation Ohio is celebrating its 27th anniversary this month as Ohio’s statewide historic preservation organization. Through education, advocacy and partnership, it seeks to promote a future for the state’s rich collection of historic resources to promote both economic development and a high quality of life. More information about Preservation Ohio can be found on its website, located at www.preservationohio.org."
Photo: Seneca County Courthouse - Preservation Ohio File Photo, All Rights Reserved
Some time ago, a member of an online forum compiled the following list of several of Ohio’s county seat towns, arranged by classification on how each respects and preserves its own built history. While you may agree or not agree with some of the selections made (nor do we at Preservation Ohio necessarily agree with them), it nevertheless provides an interesting point of discussion.
Super County Seats: Super County Seats have largely intact historic resources, have a strong preservation ethic (or at least one strong preservation project underway and which may include a preservation-based downtown revitalization program), convey a strong sense of place, have a downtown adjacent to one or more intact historic residential districts, are highly unique and potentially regionally or nationally important.
Greenville Mount Vernon Delaware Circleville Norwalk Troy Hillsboro McConnelsville
Great County Seats: All of the above, but with one or more major issues that put it into this “near-miss” category.
Lancaster Marietta Ashland Bowling Green Sidney Mount Gilead Millersburg Lisbon
Good County Seats: These county seats have significant historic resources, however there is a preservation challenge(s) which is(are) significant and affects the ability to convey a sense of place. In the majority of these communities, it is an issue of “missing teeth” in streetscapes, the lack of a preservation ordinance or strong ethic that has resulted in several critical losses, or a general lack of maintenance or revitalization. A few of these could make their way up to the next level (particularly those marked with asterisks).
Chillicothe* Medina Urbana* Hamilton* Tiffin (* provided the Courthouse remains) Van Wert* Bellefontaine Wooster* Kenton* London Athens Warren* Washington CH Fremont Marysville* Mansfield Marion Lima* New Philadelphia* Upper Sandusky* Jefferson Steubenville
Others: So much has been lost that a sense of place is difficult to convey, and no significant efforts are underway to change that fact (or just, in fact, too late).
Bucyrus Springfield Painesville
What do you think? Are these classifications correct? Useful? Where does your county seat town fit in this mix?
Amid wonderful weather, great homemade refreshments and seeing friends from across the state, the 27th anniversary Annual Meeting of the Ohio Preservation Alliance, Inc., the non-profit corporation that presents Preservation Ohio, was held this past Saturday in historic downtown Dublin.
In the business meeting which was conducted by Alex Bobersky, outgoing President of the Board of Trustees, the following individuals were elected to full three-year Trustee terms:
Michael Manoloff, Springfield
Carol Merry, Columbus
Marian Vance, Springfield
Michael Manoloff recently retired after a teaching career in the Springfield Public School system. Mike has a strong passion for the past and has already brought important perspectives to the organization.
Carol Merry is a Vice-President with Fahlgren Mortine, a public relations firm in Columbus. A fan of many types of history, Carol also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation.
Marian Vance was Preservation Ohio’s Director of Development until this meeting. She is a past member of the Ohio Historical Society Board, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, and now serves on the Ohio National Road Association and Springfield Preservation Alliance Boards.
After the election of Trustees, the following individuals were elected to full terms as Officers of the corporation:
President - Marian Vance, Springfield
First Vice-President - Mo Orsatti, Lewis Center
Second Vice-President - Alex Bobersky, Warren
Secretary - Carol Merry, Columbus
Treasurer - Jim Beier, Columbus
Those is attendance included two of the three incorporators of the organization back in 1982 - current Trustee Bruce Goetzman of Cincinnati, and Franklin Conaway of Chillicothe.
After the business meeting, Executive Director Thomas Palmer shared a presentation entitled “Opportunity,” which encouraged attendees to consider the current state of non-profit preservation activities across Ohio - particularly in those areas of the state outside of major metropolitan areas.
This week staff has been busy prepping for the Preservation Ohio Annual Meeting coming up this Saturday. The event always serves as a great chance to step back for a minute, take a look at the “big picture,” and discuss the future of our organization and its mission. This year, that meeting will include a presentation entitled simply, “Opportunity.” Opportunity is an interesting creature; it can actually lurk almost invisibly in the wide open, waiting to be noticed.
Immediately after our Annual Meeting, the Board of Trustees will engage in their Spring Meeting, which always includes a vote on the annual List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites. The Trustees take this responsibility very seriously, but also thoroughly enjoy reading the stories of communities coming together to advocate for the future of important local resources. This year’s list of nominations is a strong one, including new types of resources that have never been included before.
The role of a list of endangered historic resources is a time-tested and effective approach to preservation advocacy. Each year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation issues its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Places and does so, according to its website, “as a powerful alarm to raise awareness of the serious threats facing the nation’s greatest treasures. It has become one of the most effective tools in the fight to save the country’s irreplaceable architectural, cultural and natural heritage.” In a 2007 survey of statewide preservation organizations conducted by the Trust, it found that some 24 statewides use endangered properties lists in the same fashion.
In some locations, such compilations have been replaced by other types of lists which emphasize the potential of buildings to generate investment. While certainly a great idea, and while older buildings obviously need revenue to survive, this approach may not necessarily consider sites from certain other perspectives -- the importance of the site to the history of the locality, region and/or state, the way that a given condition highlights serious issues facing similar historic resources in other locations, as well as the willingness of supporters to come together to support preservation efforts to say, in essence, “this place matters.” In short, Preservation Ohio feels that the remotest Underground Railroad site in Ohio that faces imminent demolition is certainly just as newsworthy and deserving of highlight as the vacant older commercial building sitting in a prime location in a major city. We try to highlight both the “opportunities” and the “challenges.”
The 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites will be unveiled beginning in early May -- National Preservation Month -- on our main website, the Ohio Preservation Network, and here on MyHometownOhio. This year, the list will be just the beginning of major announcements from Preservation Ohio that will take place throughout the month -- all designed to fulfill our mission to assist local preservation-minded individuals and organizations working all over Ohio. We invite you to stay tuned.
One of the surest signs of Spring is the removal of the Jet Express from drydock, and its readying for the upcoming season of Lake Erie island-hopping. This event recently took place, and the boat is undergoing its annual maintenance in Port Clinton before its official launch on May 1.
In honor of this news, we share with you a story from our archives - this was originally published on MyHometownOhio in May of 2007.
Ask any Ohioan
to choose the most historic small town in Ohio, and you are bound to
get a different answer – likely depending on the section of the state
he or she calls home. Each section has its own “favorites,” those
places which, in addition to one’s own hometown, are held in high
esteem.
If you were, however, to objectively choose
the most historic town in a given area – such as entire state – how
would you go about that task? This was the question asked by owners of
ePodunk, a website dedicated to promoting the “power or place” in
American communities. In addition to the site’s regular fare of
descriptions and data on thousands of places across the country, the
site recently set out to
define the most historic small towns in America … and the
most historic in each state.
To accomplish this
mission, site owners used four criteria – the number of individual
listings on the National Register of Historic Places, the size of any
existing National Register Historic Districts, the average age of
housing, and the use of the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
Ohio’s winner? It might surprise you. It is…. Kellys
Island in Lake Erie. The two runners-up were Casstown (Miami
County) and Zanesville.
Kellys Island is indeed a
scenic and historic
place. Kellys boasts two individual listings on the National
Register of Historic Places, the Louis
Beatty House (1851) and Inscription
Rock – and it is also the location for two National Register
Historic Districts. The first, the South Shore District, was created in
1975, and includes 31 buildings on 230 acres. The second and largest,
the Kellys Island Historic District, was added in 1988, and includes
284 buildings, 17 structures and 5 objects in an area of 28,880 acres.
All of this, mind you, on an island that had 367
permanent residents in the 2000 census. In 1900, the island actually
had 2,000 permanent residents; the number of seasonal residents now
exceeds 3,000.
A fire tore through a significant block in Massillon's downtown historic district last evening. Below is coverage from WKYC.com and MansfieldNewsJournal.com.
After listening to the pleas of interested citizens among the 200 gathered for the meeting, and considering a letter from the Ohio Historical Society, on Monday Marion City Council unanimously rejected a proposed re-zoning of land near the tomb of President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding.
Welcome to a step into the future of preservation. In honor of National Preservation Month in May, as well as our 27th birthday on April 27, Preservation Ohio has announced that it will host two “live blog” events during the first two Fridays of the month.
The following Press Release was issued this afternoon:
Some time ago, a member of an online forum compiled the following list of several of Ohio’s county seat towns, arranged by classification on how each respects and preserves its own built history. While you may agree or not agree with some of the selections made (nor do we at Preservation Ohio necessarily agree with them), it nevertheless provides an interesting point of discussion.
Amid wonderful weather, great homemade refreshments and seeing friends from across the state, the 27th anniversary Annual Meeting of the Ohio Preservation Alliance, Inc., the non-profit corporation that presents Preservation Ohio, was held this past Saturday in historic downtown Dublin.
This week staff has been busy prepping for the Preservation Ohio Annual Meeting coming up this Saturday. The event always serves as a great chance to step back for a minute, take a look at the “big picture,” and discuss the future of our organization and its mission. This year, that meeting will include a presentation entitled simply, “Opportunity.” Opportunity is an interesting creature; it can actually lurk almost invisibly in the wide open, waiting to be noticed.