The Revitalization in Ohio Live Blog will appear below beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8.  Join us as we look at the world of preservation-based downtown and neighborhood revitalization in Ohio.

Thanks to everyone who participated in and followed our second live blog -- visit the Ohio Preservation Network for a replay.

Note: This story was first published on MyHometownOhio on October 16, 2007. We are re-posting it today, with the additional comments added into the story, in celebration of National Preservation Month.

Ohio’s history is certainly a long and storied one. As we move well into our third century of statehood, here’s a brief look at some existing Buckeye historic resources which were – or are -- the “first” or “oldest” of their kind.  If you know of another one, please let us know; we'd be happy to include it.

Oldest church in Ohio in continuous use for worship – First Congregational Church, Tallmadge, built 1825

America’s oldest authentic 19th century theatre – Woodward Opera House, Mount Vernon, built 1851

Oldest building in Ohio -- Ohio Land Company Office, Marietta, built sometime between 1788 and 1800

Oldest brick building in Ohio – Jacob Picking Building, Lisbon, built 1803

Oldest brick house in Ohio – Betts House, Cincinnati, built 1804

Oldest house in Ohio that served as an Underground Railroad Station – Sawyer-Curtis House, Little Hocking, built 1798

First theatre in Ohio to offer talking movies – Palace Theatre, Lorain, built 1928

Oldest college building in Ohio – Cutler Hall, Ohio University, Athens, built 1816

Oldest college football stadium in Ohio – Mount Union Stadium, Alliance, built 1915

First Mormon temple built in the world –  Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Lake County, built 1836

First stone inn built in Ohio – Eager Inn, Mogantown, Pike County, built 1797

First post-Civil War memorial hall in Ohio – Monumental Building, Sidney, built 1877

Oldest sandstone bridge in Ohio - Blaine Bridge, Blaine, Belmont County, built 1828

America's first US Presidential Library building - Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library, Fremont, built 1916

Ohio's oldest hotel - Golden Lamb, Lebanon

Ohio's oldest public library - Lane Public Library, Hamilton (1866)

Photo: Monumental Building, Sidney - OZinOH/Creative Commons License

This post is an update to our previous entry dated April 24, in which we revealed Preservation Ohio’s decision to file a motion in a pending legal action in the Seneca County Court of Common Pleas.  That motion asked the Court for permission to act as amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” which would allow the organization to file briefs on relevant legal points in the case.

This type of involvement in important legal issues involving historic resources is a staple of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Legal Defense Fund. The Fund’s January 2009 Update, for instance, which can be accessed here, profiles the Trust’s amicus involvement in cases involving, among others, the donation of land containing significant archaeological resources, landmark designation for a church building in Washington, D.C., and a property owned by Preservation Delaware, Inc..  A handful of other statewides have filed such actions in local cases, including the Preservation League of New York State.

On Tuesday, April 28, the Court granted Preservation Ohio’s motion. Coverage of this decision from the Toledo Blade can be accessed here.

This is the first time that an Ohio statewide preservation organization has taken this important step. Such action is consistent with Preservation Ohio’s ongoing commitment to work for the future of Ohio’s past through education, partnership and advocacy. In the case, we are seeking to protect the legal and practical integrity of local historic districts, which, in turn, can have an impact in your own community.

Our great thanks to all who participated in the “Preservation in Ohio” Live Blog, which took place this morning on this site, as well as on the main Preservation Ohio website and on the Ohio Preservation Network.  Please join us next Friday for “Revitalization in Ohio,” the second in our series of live blogging events.

This morning’s blog included 181 comments from Preservation Ohio Staff, 73 comments shared by participants from across Ohio and the country, 3 audio tracks, 24 images and 4 videos during the two-hour event!