MyHometownOhio

An Incalculable Loss

Staff — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:39:39 -0400

This article was originally posted on MyHometownOhio in 2007. The tragedy herein described continues to this day, making this post even more poignant to all Ohioans.

There has been much written about the loss of older school buildings across Ohio in the last few years. “Ohio’s Historic Schools” have had a secure place on the list of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites since 2002, and rightfully so – the listing represents the greatest systematic loss of historic resources in Ohio since the days of urban renewal. And, in many ways, the loss of school buildings is more insidious, as it takes place in urban settings and rural crossroads alike. Schools are falling victim to a massive building program that wastes money by discounting opportunities for renovation, and which then subsidizes demolition. Outside of Ohio’s largest cities, few historic school buildings are being renovated, and most are succumbing to the wrecking ball.

Actually, in conveying the size and pervasiveness of the loss of Ohio’s historic schools, we believe that pictures can say more than words. So, rather than try and describe the situation, or the quality of architecture that is at issue, we invite you to visit a new website we have discovered. The folks at www.oldohioschools.com have collected an outstanding collection of photographs of Ohio’s school buildings – those that are endangered, those that have already been lost, and also a collection of former schools that have found new life through adaptive re-use.

A warning, though – these pictures "tell it as it is." A box of tissues might be in order.

Taking Time Out to Plan

Staff — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:35:18 -0400

As our readers know well, MyHometownOhio tends to be a compendium of news, trends and views on preservation across Ohio. On rare occasions in the last three years (so few, in fact, that they likely can be counted on two hands) we have also talked about Preservation Ohio as an organization - where we are, and where we’d like to be.

This Tuesday, the Executive Committee of Preservation Ohio met in Columbus to do just that. Composed of corporate officers and other elected members, the Committee meets in the interim between meetings of the Board of Trustees to deal with such subjects in depth. On Tuesday’s agenda was the proverbial “full plate” - from considering present needs to a long-term look at direction and programming possibilities.

Now moving into its 28th year of existence, there is a new energy at Preservation Ohio, so much so that at times it seems almost like a new organization. While fully affected by the dramatic economic downturn, there is also a general recognition by our Board that Ohio strongly needs a committed statewide preservation voice more than ever. Our recent trips to Mansfield, Hamilton, Yellow Springs, Columbus, Dayton and elsewhere have reinforced that sense of purpose. In community after community, we have discovered local individuals and organizations exploring new ways to preserve historic resources for a new economic reality. Many of these efforts are profiled, and will be profiled, in the pages of the Ohio Preservation Network, the country’s first statewide preservation-based social networking site. Its free and easy to register on the Network, by the way -- just click here.

If any of our readers would like to be a more involved part of the state’s preservation and preservation-based revitalization movements, you are more than welcome. From volunteers to Board membership, the door is open to you, your energy and your ideas. Its an intensely rewarding and enjoyable experience. For more information, please drop an e-mail to: info@preservationohio.org.

And - huge thanks to Falhgren Mortine for hosting today's Executive Committee meeting!

All Day, All Night

Staff — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:58:28 -0400

The Ohio Preservation News reader located on the left side of this blog provides an excellent way to learn what is happening in the word of preservation, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, heritage tourism, smart growth, archeology and local history not only here in Ohio, but across the country.

The site provides short descriptions and links to a wide range of media stories - many of which come from Ohio newspapers, online magazines and blogs. Because it uses RSS, or “Really Simple Syndication,” the reader is updated continuously throughout the day..and night...each time that a local newspaper or media source updates its own site.

To give a glimpse of what can be found - here is a small sampling of stories available just this afternoon from the Ohio Preservation News reader.

Rescue of a historic grandstand at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds

An effort to “save angled parking” in downtowns statewide

The third installment in a series about “Revitalizing Over-the-Rhine”

Efforts to create a quilt tour in Greene County

The unfolding and interesting situation concerning the auction of a historic house in Avondale

How an environmental assessment can aid in the renovation of a 300,000 former factory building in Cincinnati

Coverage of the Restoring Prosperity Conference in Cleveland

An upcoming lecture concerning the 1913 flood in Ohio

A Lincoln exhibit coming to the Auglaize County Public District Library

The summer schedule for the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

A look at a long-lost element of early Cleveland city planning

Video from a living history presentation in Mansfield

A look at what American cities are attracting the GenY generation

A critique of current urban “downsizing” by Richard Florida

The challenges of reaching consensus in local historic preservation legislation

New and Updated Websites

Staff — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:23:26 -0400

The new website of the Civil War Preservation Trust includes a variety of features that engage visitors in the effort to save historic battlefields nationwide. Materials for educators and students, a battlefield search tool, and detailed information about efforts to save Civil War history are included, as is an outstanding collection of online battlefield maps. Its well worth a visit.

The Columbus Landmarks Foundation has a newly-updated site designed to acquaint visitors with local preservation issues and efforts. The site was an excellent tool during the recently-concluded City Hop, and includes reference to the Foundation’s other online sites. Links allow visitors to combine learning about sponsored events - including their well-known walking tours - with actual ticket purchasing.

Downtown revitalization websites launched or updated in the last several months include the sites for The Downtown Bellfontaine Partnership, Main Street Medina, and Downtown Fremont.

The website of the University District of The Ohio State University has information on just about everything you would need to enjoy living, working and playing in the area of OSU… from a map of local wi-fi hotspots to the latest on area investment and rental opportunities -- and home preservation efforts.

And - as profiled in a previous post - the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Resource Center has been updated with information and links to the latest on this important financial incentive for older property rehabilitation. Click here to access.

Photo: Screenshot, CivilWar.org

Boy, That Was Close...

Staff — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:39:16 -0400

As the author of the Victorian Antiquities and Design Blog aptly pointed out in a post published today, the Cincinnati preservation community “…could count the day as one for the "win' column, a rare occasion when a house is saved from certain destruction.”

The house in question was a massive (7,870 square feet), Jacobean Revival mansion in the Avondale neighborhood. Some time ago, the blog learned that the house was going to be stripped of many its architectural features, which were to be sold at auction this weekend. E-mails were made to the auction house in an effort to ensure that the property owner was aware that such action would have serious effects, including a substantial reduction in the value of the house for sale to a preservation-minded purchaser.

In an interesting series of posts, the blog expanded its review into an interesting look at the issue of architectural salvage, the role of auction companies in such matters, as well as an examination of the types of renovations proposed for the property post-sale. Over time, the matter also came to the attention of the Cincinnati Preservation Association and our friends at Building Cincinnati, who penned this interesting article yesterday about the situation.

As noted above, the auction in question has been can celled at the last minute. As today’s entry points out, it’s a small “blip” of a victory set against a gigantic struggle -- one exacerbated by the current economy, Ohio’s foreclosure crisis, and the tendency of owners to believe the siren songs of contractors who may have limited practical experience or expertise in the renovation of period buildings.

Help Save Ohio History!

Staff — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:12:22 -0400

Cyberspace has been buzzing over the last week as Ohioans react online to the Ohio Senate’s passage of a version of the biennial budget that calls for dramatic cuts in funding for the Ohio Historical Society.

Everyone knows that the dire economic times call for dramatic action. What is proposed for the Society, however, is nothing short of a gutting of vital programming that will have far-reaching impact over multiple years. The list of lost programs is staggering, and includes the following, according to the Society’s website:

Elimination of teacher training and educational programs that leverage federal funding
Elimination of National History Day in Ohio, a national program which originated in Ohio
Elimination of the Local History Office that serves 800 local history organizations
Elimination of the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011-2015) initiative
Elimination of the Ohio Historical Markers program
Severe restrictions for OHS services throughout the state
Reduced ability to generate non-state revenues (i.e., federal grants, private revenue)
Reduced access to historic sites and museums
Reduced ability to recruit local organizations to manage sites
Reduced assistance and resources to sites management organizations

Your help is needed as we collectively respond to the potential of these cuts. Here are links to additional information:

Please join OHS and friends of history from across Ohio at noon this Thursday as they RALLY FOR HISTORY! on the grounds of the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus (I-71 at 17th Avenue). Participants will also be able to board busses after the event for meetings with legislators at the Ohio Statehouse. For more information on the rally, please click here.

Photo: crazyanman.history/Creative Commons License

New Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Application Cycles Announced: Resource Center Updated

Staff — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:39:51 -0400

On June 4, the Ohio Department of Development issued a press release announcing two new application periods for the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit (OHPTC).

The first submission window begins on July 1 and extends through September 30. In addition to the new application itself, the Department has also provided a short OHPTC overview, as well as a summary/self-scoring document for use in application preparation. Links to all of these can be found on the primary tax credit page, which be accessed here. It should be noted that new criteria have been added to the application and review process, which take into account various aspects of a project’s geographic diversity and its economic potential.

Preservation Ohio has updated the online Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Resource Center to reflect this new information, and which also provides information about combining the OHPTC with other tax credits and deductions. The Resource Center can be found here.

Photo: Fort Piqua Hotel, Piqua - OZinOH/Creative Commons License

Next Weekend Brings City Hop 2009

Staff — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:32:26 -0400

It’s time again for the annual showcase of urban living in downtown Columbus - City Hop - and this year, as in years past, offerings include both renovated and new infill living spaces.

The event is a reminder of the power of historic architecture to provide incredible places in which to live and work. Some of this year’s stops, such as the newly-renovated “8 on the Square,” are housed in period office structures (this one from 1906; see photo) that have been updated to provide the kind of living space that is financially difficult to replicate. Others, such as CityView, are located in buildings which had dramatically different original purposes - this one constructed as a factory building for a shoe manufacturer.

Of course, the infill projects that have recently sprung up like very welcome weeds in downtown Columbus promote the idea of a walkable, dynamic and dense urban environment. Projects such as Neighborhood Launch and The Annex at River South take their cue from their surroundings and from the history of the area, while adding a 21st century flair.

There’s a lot to see at City Hop, presented by the Columbus Landmarks Foundation. Here are links to relevant resources:

Main City Hop 2009 page on the website of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation - includes a look at each tour stop, tour details, etc..
The new City Hop online magazine
City Hop on Twitter
Podcast about City Hop from Columbus Underground

Photo: 8 on the Square - gorkon280/Creative Commons License

The 2009 List of Ohio's Most Endangered Historic Sites

Staff — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:58:31 -0400

Springfield, Ohio (June 1, 2009) – Preservation Ohio has announced the 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites. This important list highlights important pieces of Ohio history that face an uncertain future, and which deserve the attention of all Ohioans as remnants of the past that merit preservation.

Each year, Ohio’s statewide preservation organization searches for houses, commercial buildings, governmental structures, bridges, historic roadways, landscapes, downtowns, neighborhoods and other important pieces of Ohio history that face a potentially risky future. The list serves to highlight those properties which are both historically significant and endangered — whether it be by threats of demolition, long-term disinvestment or neglect, insensitive governmental action, uncertainty or indifference.

Nominations for this important list have come from individuals, preservation organizations, downtown and neighborhood revitalization organizations, historical societies, historic road associations, local governments and other entities. In each case, the property is reviewed for both its value to local, regional, state or federal history, and the nature of the threat involved. Special attention is paid to those sites facing a threat which typifies one facing many of Ohio’s historic resources. Properties remain on the list each year until such time as the threat is lessened.

Designation is similar to that given for the country’s most endangered historic sites by the National Trust for Historic Preservation — the primary benefit of the list being public attention and focus. The list has received substantial media attention, including coverage in all of Ohio’s major newspapers, as well as in magazines, lifestyle publications and local media.

Information about the Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites program can be found on our website, located at: www.preservationohio.org. Beginning on June 2, a link to each listed property will be activated each day, with photos, videos and more to be included. Click here to access a page with an overview of the Ohio's Most Endangered program, links to lists from previous years, a look at the role of endangered lists nationwide, as well as direct links to endangered lists recently released by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and 13 other states.

The 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites includes the following sites:

Seneca County Courthouse (1884) - Tiffin, Seneca County – A landmark courthouse, community icon and key asset for downtown revitalization that may soon become the first 19th century Ohio courthouse demolished in a generation. The Seneca County Courthouse has been on the list since 2005.

Greenhills Historic District (1930s) - Greenhills, Hamilton County – A unique, nationally-important planned community near Cincinnati that has been the focus of concern based on village-funded demolitions. Greenhills has been on the list since 2008.

Village of Burton Schoolhouse (1868) - Burton, Geauga County – A unique piece of northeast Ohio architecture that faces an uncertain future as a community decides its fate. The Village of Burton Schoolhouse has been on the list since 2008.

Shawnee Main Street Historic District (Various, 1860-present) - Shawnee, Perry County – An amazing collection of brick and frame commercial buildings with a fascinating past, but which continue to deteriorate. The Shawnee Main Street Historic District has been on the list since 2007.

Mehrum-Lindley Block (1906-1913) - Hamilton, Butler County – This building provides a very important link to the past of Hamilton and the ability of the community to generate downtown revitalization. The Mehrum-Lindley Block has been on the list since 2007.

South High School (1911) - Springfield, Clark County – A massive and monumental educational building replaced under the Ohio School Facilities Commission program yet which has no definite future. South High School has been on the list since 2008.

Edgerton Village Hall/Park Opera House (1884) - Edgerton, Williams County – A town hall with upper-floor opera house that could provide outstanding facilities for local government, but which has been the focus of demolition discussion. The Edgerton Village Hall has been on the list since 2008.

Elam Drake Farmstead (1860s) - Columbus, Franklin County – A collection of historically significant Civil War-era historic buildings near Port Columbus Airport standing vacant with an uncertain future. This is the first year for the Elam Drake Farmstead on the list.

Gunning House (1940) - Reynoldsburg/Columbus, Franklin County – An excellent example of mid 20th-century architecture designed by trained apprentices of Frank Lloyd Wright, threatened by area development and loss. This is the first year for the Gunning House on the list.

Memorial Hall (1915) - Springfield, Clark County – One of the largest of Ohio’s grand memorial buildings honoring local veterans, located in a downtown with a dwindling number of buildings, and currently scheduled for demolition. This is the first year for Memorial Hall on the list.

Former Julienne High School (1926) - Dayton, Montgomery County – A large former Catholic high school with adjoining convent building that are important to local educational and social history, but nevertheless scheduled for replacement and demolition. This is the first year for Julienne High School on the list.

Antioch College Historic District (Various stages beginning in 1854) - Yellow Springs, Greene County – A landmark of national educational history, the original campus has been closed for over a year with concerns over the future of its historic buildings, and awaits hopeful re-opening. This is the first year for Antioch College on the list.

Ohio's Traditional Churches and Synagogues (Various) – Statewide – Ohio’s inner-city religious buildings face an uncertain future with the decline of mainline denominational congregations and aging buildings. This is the first year for Ohio’s Traditional Churches and Synagogues on the list.

Preservation Ohio has been Ohio’s statewide preservation organization since 1982. The mission of the private, non-profit corporation is to secure the ability of Ohio’s rich past to generate pride, economic development and a high quality of life for all Ohioans.

A Visit to Mount Vernon

Staff — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:28:43 -0400

As National Preservation Month winds to a close, we take a moment to share with you some great pictures for a recent trip to the historic central Ohio city of Mount Vernon. Included are shots of Public Square, the Woodward Opera House, East Gambier Street houses, and three views of nearby Kenyon College.

For our subscribers, click here or here to view the slideshow.

Downtown to Lifestyle Center to...Downtown?

Staff — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:32:07 -0400

Many Ohioans have experienced the phenomenon of retail lifestyle centers. Cleveland’s Crocker Park, Toledo’s Levis Commons, “The Greene” near Dayton, and the gigantic Easton in Columbus are among those centers that feature a combination of retail, residential and office space in a centralized setting.

This blog has previously looked at lifestyle centers, particularly as they can be described as traditional downtowns built from scratch in the middle of vacant land, each of which draws substantial shopping and office traffic from communities whose own downtowns experience economic decline. As such, they tend to be “poster children” for the downside of urban sprawl.

Traditional Ohio downtowns differ from these centers in at least one key aspect - unified ownership. Instead of corralling the numerous levels of interests represented in downtown, including individual property owners, merchants, service providers, restaurateurs, etc. -- lifestyle centers can easily set uniform hours and engage in cooperative promotion through lease restrictions.

One Ohio community is currently seeking to change that paradigm. Valley Ventures, a unique non-profit economic development organization working to secure investment in one Ohio county and three counties in West Virginia, has set out to duplicate the lifestyle center approach in downtown Steubenville. Their plan is straight-forward … to concentrate entrepreneur-focused investment in a 12-block target area. With a target of generating 30 to 40 new businesses in the next 5 years, the organization has had some limited initial success with the planned opening of 6 new ventures this summer. The goals include an emphasis on mixed-use development. Click here for local newspaper and here for TV coverage, including video.

For an interesting look at historic commercial buildings available for purchase or lease in downtown Steubenville, click here.

Photo: Downtown Steubenville - OZinOH/Creative Commons License

Documentary Premier Highlights Historic Greenhills

Staff — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:28:03 -0400

An Announcement in Dayton

Staff — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:44:16 -0400

Preservation Ohio will be making an official announcement of the 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites at the end of the month. The future of some properties is so tenuous, however, that a quicker unveiling of a particular listing makes real sense.

In this light, on Thursday, May 21 we took the occasion to visit Dayton as part of our series of trips across the state in honor of National Preservation Month. There we joined members of Preservation Dayton, the Five Oaks Neighborhood Association, the Friends of Julienne and other interested citizens for a press conference in front of the former Julienne High School. The school building, located at 325 Homewood Avenue in Dayton, is a massive educational facility constructed in 1927 connected adjacent to a convent. Used as a Catholic girls school for many decades, these buildings are now owned by Dayton Public Schools.

Dayton Public Schools are undergoing a large rebuilding program in conjunction with the Ohio School Facilities Commission, and have announced plans to replace Julienne with a small facility on the same site. Unlike what has occurred in other metro areas, however, including Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, almost no period educational buildings are being reused in Dayton. As a result, much of the history of the community, an outstanding opportunity to save taxpayer funds, and the ability to invest in buildings with longer potential lifespans have been lost.

Julienne represents an opportunity for Dayton Public Schools to make a positive statement for neighborhood stability, history and the educational needs of local students. If the present building represents more space than is needed, opportunities exist for combining uses to secure funding for renovation. If a new school is constructed elsewhere on the expansive grounds (over 12 acres, as can be seen in the photo to the right), the buildings represent an extraordinary resource for adaptive reuse - and several developers have already expressed interest in such a project. The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Preservation Ohio was pleased to announce the inclusion of Julienne on the 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites at the event, which also included a review of efforts to preserve the school (including an unsuccessful attempt at obtaining local landmark designation), a discussion of available options, and a statement by the Friends of Julienne alumni group. An interior tour of the school was conducted after the press conference.

Click here for coverage of the announcement in the Dayton Daily News. A slideshow of the press conference and photos taken during the post-conference tour is featured below (for our subscribers, this slideshow is available here).

Photo: Former Julienne High School, Dayton - Windows Live Local; All other photos are Preservation Ohio File Photos

May and Our Trip to Hamilton

Staff — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:44:45 -0400

Working in historic preservation tends to parallel “real life” - May and September are two of the busiest months of the year, packing in conferences, workshops, tours, and other opportunities to become engaged in preserving Ohio’s past. As May is also National Preservation Month, there is typically an added “boost” to this month’s event schedule.

Staff and Board members of Preservation Ohio have been incredibly busy over the last 20 days; many of those trips and events have been profiled in previous posts - and the rest of the month provides little change to that schedule. In less than two weeks we have hosted two live blogs, traveled for talks in Mansfield and Hamilton, conducted easement monitoring, and joined the Columbus Landmarks Foundation for site visits to two of the properties on the 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites. Later this week we travel again to Southwest Ohio to join with preservation-minded individuals and groups in two additional Ohio communities - Dayton and Yellow Springs.

This past Monday, we also enjoyed a treat -- lunch with two staff members from Heritage Ohio, Ohio’s other statewide preservation organization. This was the first time we have joined our friends there for a meal, and the experience was a pleasure.

We are pleased to share with you some views of our trip to Hamilton on Saturday, May 16, where we were fortunate to join with participants in the Butler County Preservation Roundtable. This annual event brings together representatives from the county’s numerous historical societies and local preservation organizations, each of whom provide reports on recent activities. Preservation Ohio gave a presentation on statewide preservation issues and opportunities.

Clockwise from the top left, these photos represent:

1. Participants in the roundtable joined in the historic Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown Hamilton.

2. Each organization spoke in turn concerning recent preservation-related activities.

3. After the event, Preservation Ohio conducted in-person monitoring of its historic conservation easements in Hamilton, which protect the historic integrity of two early 19th century brick residences.

4. The Anthony Wayne Hotel, which Preservation Ohio acquired in the late 1990s and marketed to a preservation-friendly developer. This property is now a highly successful senior living facility.

5. The Mehrum-Lindley Block in downtown Hamilton was retained on the 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites. After the Roundtable, we walked the short two blocks to the site with nominator, Miami University student Nathaniel Kaelin, to take a closer look at the structure, which continues to have an uncertain future.

6. Preservation Ohio Executive Director Thomas Palmer detailed the work of Preservation Ohio across the state.

Photos: All Preservation Ohio File Photos

A Renovation Sneak Peek

Staff — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:42:46 -0400

Here are a few photos taken this week of the ongoing renovation project at the Morrow County Courthouse in Mount Gilead.

At a time when one prominent Ohio county building is facing a most uncertain future, other counties are investing in their landmark courthouses. In the case of Morrow County, the original portion of the structure was completed in 1851, making it one of the oldest in continuous operation in the state.

The renovation project is providing much needed room for court facilities and a new law library. Attention is being paid to historic interior detailing in the original courthouse building. This is very much a work in progress, however these images show the quality of the work which is being accomplished.

Congratulations to the Morrow County Commissioners for moving forward with this project!

Photos: Morrow County Courthouse exterior - Preservation Ohio File Photo; Interior renovation photos: Special to Preservation Ohio

Recapping Local History

Staff — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:46:37 -0400

Over the last few weeks, the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums’ Local History Blog has begun to feature extensive recaps of the annual regional OAHSM meetings across Ohio.

Started many years ago, these regional OAHSM meetings provide those involved with collecting, preserving and displaying local history with the opportunity to learn from others in the field. Each session typically focuses on a handful of topics relevant to museum and historical society operation, and include a revue of developments on a statewide basis. Each region’s list of topics is typically different, however, and just as conference goers can be at a dilemma when having to choose between concurrent sessions of interest, an area of particular interest to one group might be discussed in a different OAHSM region.

Through the new recapping posts, however, much of this dilemma is done away with - and online visitors can now access insights into each of the regional discussions and presentations. It’s an absolutely fantastic idea. Recent topics profiled in these recaps include strategic planning and community engagement, using technology for communications and public relations, overcoming misconceptions, specific project overviews, and much, much more. Local preservation and downtown revitalization organizations will find much useful information in these narratives.

Each of these recaps can be easily located by using the Ohio Preservation News Reader on MyHometownOhio - just click here, then on “Ohio History and Museum News,” and then on “Ohio Association of Historical Societies & Museums: Local History Blog.”

Photo: OASHM Local Blog screenshot

Preservation Ohio Goes "On the Road"

Staff — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:16:02 -0400

Over the next several weeks, Preservation Ohio goes "On the Road" to visit many corners of Ohio. Some of our visits will coincide with the release of the 2009 List of Ohio's Most Endangered Historic Sites; in others, we will be talking about issues relating to statewide preservation issues, financial incentives for older properties, and downtown & neighborhood revitalization.

Here's a quick look at some of our upcoming trips:

May 13 - Mansfield - Downtown Property Owners Conference

May 16 - Hamilton - Butler County Preservation Roundtable

May 18 - Columbus - Announcement of two properties on the 2009 List of Ohio's Most Endangered Historic Sites.

May 21 - Springfield, Dayton and Yellow Springs - Additional Most Endangered announcement visits.

July 31/August 1 - New Philadelphia - THAT Old House Preservation & Restoration Workshop

Several more trips are being planned. In each community, we plan to chronicle stories of communities coming together to recognize and work for the future of their historic resources. Stay tuned to this site, MyHometownOhio and the Ohio Preservation Network for photos, video and more.

Revitalization in Ohio Live Blog

Staff — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:55:50 -0400

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.

Ohio's Historic Superlatives

Staff — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:39:47 -0400

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

Playing Our Part

Staff — Mon, 04 May 2009 08:43:00 -0400

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.

Thank You!

Staff — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:16:37 -0400

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!

Getting it Right

Staff — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:39:47 -0400

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

Preservation Ohio to Host Two Live Blogs

Staff — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:10:12 -0400

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.

Preservation Ohio Files Motion in Seneca County Courthouse Action

Staff — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:11:45 -0400

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

Ranking Ohio's County Seats

Staff — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:33:12 -0400

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?

Photo: Downtown Hillsboro - OZinOH/Creative Commons License

Trustees and Officers Elected

Staff — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:08:49 -0400

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.

Why "Most Endangered?"

Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:37:17 -0400

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.

What is the Most Historic Small Town in Ohio?

Staff — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:59:08 -0400

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 good way to delve into the history of Kellys Island is to visit the website of the Kellys Island Historical Association, an organization housed in the island’s 1865 “Old Stone Church."

Photo: Old Stone Church, Kellys Island - gregjsmith/Creative Commons License

Fire Strikes Another Historic Ohio Downtown

Staff — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:31:26 -0400

A fire tore through a significant block in Massillon's downtown historic district last evening. Below is coverage from WKYC.com and MansfieldNewsJournal.com.

Great News from Preble County

Staff — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:28:00 -0400

Its always a pleasure to pass along good news on this site. Here is an alert we received earlier this week from the Preble County Historical Society:

Great news for the Historic National Road in Preble County ! The old toll road house, which stands on the northeast corner of St. Rt. 503 and US 40 ( National Road ) and was slated to be razed has new life! The property was sold and the new owners are restoring it. The new owners reside in one of the other historic structures in the old Euphemia area on the south side of Rt.40, a few hundred feet east of the corner building. The building being saved is the one shown on the Euphemia Gateway Interpretive Sign. All the more reason for it to be saved! Sometimes it seems that preservation efforts fall on deaf ears. And then, once in a while ….. our voices are heard!

The couple who purchased the property was in attendance during... the Preble County Bicentennial Event in Lewisburg, April 2008.

Preservation Ohio congratulations everyone involved with the rescue of this piece of Ohio and National Road history. The old toll road house is pictured to the extreme left above.

Photo: Old toll road house, Euphemia, Preble County -- Courtesy of Preble County Historical Society