Over the last few months, several Ohio preservation and downtown revitalization organizations have established a more thorough presence on Facebook with the creation of an official “Page.”
Facebook Pages are a more robust version of the former Facebook Groups, the latter of which basically allowed only static information, simple posts and some discussion. Pages have all of this and more, including the ability for those registered as “fans” to receive updates on their own individual sites. Pages can also be outfitted with applications, which provide increased functionality and features.
Both the Cincinnati Preservation Association and Columbus Landmarks Foundation have active Facebook Pages, which are updated often with news, event information, advocacy alerts and more. Fans can comment on these posts, can add their own content, and can embed posts them on their own pages.
Downtown revitalization organizations with Facebook Pages include Downtown Mansfield, Inc., Main Street Kent, the Heritage Centre Association (Mount Vernon), Main Street Oberlin, the Main Street Area Association (Hamilton), the Marysville Uptown Renewal Team, Main Street Canal Winchester, Main Street Medina, Main Street Orrville and Main Street Delaware.
Preservation Ohio’s Facebook Page includes all of the standard features, as well as our latest “Tweets,” the most recent photographs posted on our Flickr page, and the ability to easily invite friends to the page. The Preservation Ohio Facebook Page interconnects with both our website and the new Ohio Preservation Network. Together, through Twitter, Facebook, the Ohio Preservation Network, Flickr and our blog, MyHometownOhio, Preservation Ohio now enjoys between 2,000 and 3,000 friends, fans, followers and subscribers just through online social networking. All of this work is an attempt to build a cohesive and effective community for preservation and preservation-based revitalization in Ohio.
To access any of the Facebook Pages for the organizations referred to in this post, visit www.facebook.com/preservationohio and look for the “Favorite Pages” in the left-hand column. And, while you’re there, please become a “fan” of Preservation Ohio!
In October of 2007, MyHometownOhio took a look at the state of preservation on the campus of Ohio’s largest college, The Ohio State University. At that time, this is what we wrote:
"Fall has finally hit Ohio in earnest. As we head into November, thoughts turn to colder temperatures, Thanksgiving, and for Buckeye fans, the Ohio State – Michigan game. This year’s contest is on November 17 in unfriendly territory “up North.”
Ohio’s flagship educational institution is located on a campus where tradition and history live. Although not without a few preservation missteps (University Hall comes to mind), the University has a good overall record in saving important elements of its past – with some particularly good success stories.
One of those positive stories is currently being written with the $79 million renovation and expansion of the William Oxley Thompson Main Library on the Oval at OSU. The original portion of the Main Library opened in 1913, and was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Allen and Collens. In 1951, the familiar 11 story bookstack tower was added to the rear of the original building, and various additions have followed. In the renovation project, the original grand reading room, long-since divided into smaller spaces, will be completely restored to its original two-story appearance....
And, for a trip through the architectural history of The Ohio State University, click here to visit the University’s “Interactive Historical Campus Map.” By adjusting the timeline, visitors to the site can view the physical evolution of the OSU campus from 1871 through 2001.
"The seasons pass, the years will roll; Time and change will surely show, how firm thy friendship - O-HI-O" -- from Carmen Ohio, the OSU Alma Mater."
The intervening two years have made quite a difference – and it could well be said that the University has taken a couple of steps back and one forward from how things stood in October of 2007. As detailed in an article from earlier this year, OSU recently took the unfortunate step of demolishing two of its oldest structures, Lord Hall and Brown Hall, the former designed by noted Columbus architect Frank Packard. As noted in this 2003 story from the OSU Lantern, the building was “…a historical reminder of the early days of the Ohio State campus.” When Preservation Ohio joined the Columbus Landmarks Foundation and Heritage Ohio for discussions with the building department of OSU just before the demolition, officials pointed to in-house analyses of the buildings’ condition, but did not allow for outside structural analyses to be made. The historic buildings have been replaced with green and utilitarian space, not with new structures.
This month OSU Trustees approved a $1 billion expansion project for OSU Medical Center, which is envisioned to create as many as 15,000 short and long-term jobs. Unfortunately, plans call for the demolition of Means Hall, a 1951 design by noted architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The building was constructed at an important time for the firm, just a year before the well-known Lever House in New York City, called by Wikipedia “…the quintessential and seminal glass box International Style skyscraper.” While not a high-rise structure, Means Hall appears to exhibit elements of the International Style in its use of concrete, glass and aluminum elements. It likely is suffering the fate of many "recent past" buildings, many of which merit preservation.
Recently, however, OSU also unveiled the finished William Oxley Thompson Main Library renovation and expansion project (with a final price tag of $109 million) referred to above – which features some visually stunning new spaces interspersed with restoration of important interior elements. Among the latter, the restored Grand Reading Room is a must-see, with its large windows looking out over the Oval. As noted above, prior to the project this was actually divided into two floors of space. Click here to take an interesting video tour of the “old and new” library, and here to see a dramatic full-screen photo of the Reading Room.
As Ohio’s flagship public university, the state’s preservation community continues to hope that OSU will adopt and adhere to policies which will place it at the forefront of efforts to preserve Ohio’s rich collegiate academic history.
Tuesday’s day-long workshop in Columbus, co-sponsored by Preservation Ohio and the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, turned out to be more of a conversation than a series of staid presentations. From the beginning breakfast panel discussion on local building issues in Columbus, all the way to the final session of the day, the emphasis was combining the latest information on financial incentives for preservation with the opportunity to dialogue with experts on each of those tools.
Speakers and panelists included the following:
• Vince Papsidero - Planning Administrator, City of Columbus • Don DeVere - President, DeVere LLC • Laura MacGregor Comek, Esq. - Crabbe, Brown & James • Charissa W. Durst - President, Hardlines Design Company • Robert Loversidge - Principal, Schooley Caldwell Associates • Jeffrey Darbee and Nancy Recchie - Owners, Benjamin D. Rickey & Co. • Thomas Palmer - Executive Director, Preservation Ohio • Mark Lundine - Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program Coordinator, Ohio Department of Development • Judith Kitchen - Technical Preservation Services Department Head, Ohio Historic Preservation Office
Topics included use of the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit, Clean Ohio funding, the new Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit, the use of historic conservation easements, New Markets Tax Credits, and more.
Anonymous evaluations of the event included the following comments:
• “All of these topics are very interesting. Very practical information.” • “This was the most useful presentation on historic preservation financial aid that I have ever seen. Many thanks for putting this all together.” • "Good! Program!" • "A great seminar." • "Terrific, well-informed speakers, good selection of topics for background information."
This was the first workshop of its kind in Columbus in some time, and participants were clearly anxious to continue the discussion after sessions and into the future. Preservation Ohio has been involved in similar workshops over the last three years in other Ohio locations, and is already lining up venues to continue the series in the coming months.
On Tuesday, I will be speaking on the subject of historic conservation easements at “Financial Incentives for Historic Properties,” a day-long workshop on tax benefits for preservation work co-sponsored by Preservation Ohio and the Columbus Landmarks Foundation.
As you can imagine, easements have occupied my thoughts as of late as I prepared for this presentation. The attendees to the event will be diverse – including many to obtain continuing education credit for architects, lawyers and real estate professionals. And, as the event is taking place somewhere other than Cleveland or Cincinnati where historic conservation easements are better known, it is likely that for many this will be their first exposure to this important tool for preservation.
Two facts highlight the importance of historic conservation easements – also known as “preservation easements.” First, unlike the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit, the tax incentive for easement donation is equally available to owners of non income-producing properties – that is, your family home if you so choose. Second, and perhaps most importantly, they represent the only “slam-dunk” path toward preserving the historic resources of a given property, for many reasons:
Placement on the National Register of Historic Places, or inclusion in a National Register Historic District, provides no protection against alteration or even demolition if federal funding is not used.
While many Ohio communities have historic preservation or design review ordinances that provide protection, not every community has the resources to provide ongoing monitoring.
Decisions of administrative boards can be appealed and can therefore have the potential to end up in politically-charged settings.
Not all design review or historic preservation ordinances protect against demolition. Even if an ordinance protects a property, many ordinances allow for an economic hardship appeal, and the decision may be challenged legally on that basis.
More than one Ohio community has actually rescinded a preservation ordinance.
Its little surprise that noted preservationist Arthur P. Ziegler, Jr. once said, “There are only two sure ways to save a building: you either have to own it or protect it through an easement.”
While the easement program nationwide has been in a state of flux over the last several years, some clarity is returning and the tool is again being used in many locations. Click here for an introduction to historic conservation easements on our website.
Photo: Pennsylvania House, Springfield - Preservation Ohio File Photo
Its always a pleasure to report on positive news concerning current and former listings on the annual List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites – and we’ve heard some over the last several weeks that we’d like to share.
The Seneca County Courthouse news from Tiffin has been well-covered in this space and elsewhere on the web. Although not a certainty, the Commissioners did give the “green light” for renovation, and indicated that should that funding be available, that this is the route that will be chosen.
Over the last few weeks we also learned that the proposed transfer of Antioch College to college alumni had been successfully concluded, a transaction which included the historic college campus in Yellow Springs. After raising over $10 million, the group is looking at enrolling students as early as the fall of 2011, and is committed to preservation of college buildings dating as far back as 1854. Click here for coverage of the news from the Los Angeles Times.
On September 11, you have your last chance to see buildings comprising the historic Dayton Arcade before their $30 million restoration. Closed for several years, the buildings have been opened only once before on “Urban Nights,” an event celebrating downtown Dayton. Click here to read about the tour in the Dayton Daily News, and be sure to check out the related stories on the left for more information about the building and local efforts to re-open the landmark.
While moved from its original location which, because of its connection to the Underground Railroad was an integral part of the structure’s historic integrity, Sylvania’s Lathrop House is at least seeing a complete, phased restoration. Channel 13TV in Toledo recently covered the work being performed by the Toledo Area Metroparks together with the Friends of the Lathrop House group. Click here for coverage.
This story was first published on MyHometownOhio on August 31, 2006:
A sure sign of the impending arrival of Autumn occurs this weekend as the college football season begins. All across Ohio, from NAIA to Division I programs, the sights and sounds of marching bands and cheering fans will fill stadiums that have witnessed decades of tradition.
At the University of Cincinnati, the Bearcats play in venerableNippert Stadium, the fifth-oldest college football stadium in the country.Nippert was constructedbetween 1916 and 1924, and was named for the grandson of a founder of Proctor & Gamble, who died of injuries received during a game.
In Delaware, an $800,000 gift to Ohio Wesleyan University allowed for needed upgrades toSelby Field, home of the Battling Bishops since 1921. The gift, part of the “Remembering Mr. Rickey” campaign to fund athletics and recreation departments,funded the installationof a new artificial playing surface and leveraged other improvements.
And, of course, this Saturday marks another football season at the ‘Shoe – otherwise known asOhio Stadium, home of the Buckeyes. The “newest” stadium in this trio, Ohio Stadium was opened in 1922, and since that time has welcomed over 30 million rabid fans to watch one of college football’s most storied programs. Ohio Stadium was extensively renovated a few years ago, however an effort was made to keep a great deal of the original stadium intact. To re-kindle a bit of Buckeye fever, click the "play" arrow on the image below to watch the OSU Marching band perform “Script Ohio.” For our subscribers, click here to access the same video. As a point of interest, Preservation Ohio Executive Director Thomas Palmer is marching in this video, taken during his freshman year at OSU.
The first time that a post appeared on MyHometownOhio concerning the Seneca County Courthouse was on February 16, 2007. The post featured a video which had been placed on YouTube which lamented both the condition of the Tiffin landmark as well as its endangered status.
Over the two and a half years which followed, this blog chronicled the ongoing saga of the building - including the work of the Tiffin Historic Trust, the incredible efforts of the Courthouse and Downtown Redevelopment Group, and Preservation Ohio’s own involvement. We have joined our friends in Tiffin in rallies, speeches and presentations, have spoken to the Commissioners, have provided testimony in design review hearings, filed an amicus curiae brief in ongoing legal action, and joined with others to sponsor the Ohio Courthouse Summit in late 2007.
Yesterday, the Seneca County Commissioners voted 3-0 to support the renovation of the Seneca County Courthouse - the first building to be selected to lead the annual list of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites. This honor was made in recognition of its importance to the local community and county, the quality of its architecture, and because we knew that the eyes of many across the state were tuned toward Tiffin as they looked at their own facilities.
Preservation Ohio applauds the three Seneca County Commissioners, members of the Courthouse and Downtown Redevelopment Group including their point person Franklin Conaway, members of the Tiffin Historic Trust, and everyone else who has played a role in this effort. Franklin is a co-founder and former Board President of Preservation Ohio, and we're thrilled to recognize him for his role in this project.
The work continues, as funds must be raised for the courthouse tower and other improvements. MyHometownOhio will continue to follow this story - and we will be there on the day in the hopefully not-too-distant future when we can cover the opening of the newly renovated Seneca County Courthouse.
For Toledo Blade coverage of this story, including video of the actual vote, click here.
Photo: Seneca County Courthouse, Tiffin - circa 1884
Preservation Ohio received word yesterday concerning two pending demolitions in Greenhills.
The Greenhills Village Council has apparently voted to demolish two additional buildings in the historic district -- both multi-unit frame houses on Dewitt Court. Ironically, the buildings in question were occupied until a month ago; according to neighbors, some of the tenants didn't want to leave. There are no plans for re-use of the vacant land.
For more information on these demolitions, and how they have the potential to impact pending National Historic Landmark status for this unique pre-war experiment in planned development, visit the "Endangered Places" page of the Cincinnati Preservation Association website by clicking here (scroll to the bottom of the page).
The Village of Greenhills has been included on the List of Ohio's Most Endangered Historic Sites since 2008 - click here for the most recent listing.
Photo: Buildings scheduled for demolition, Greenhills - Courtesy of the Cincinnati Preservation Association
Over the last few months, several Ohio preservation and downtown revitalization organizations have established a more thorough presence on Facebook with the creation of an official “Page.”
In October of 2007, MyHometownOhio took a look at the state of preservation on the campus of Ohio’s largest college, The Ohio State University. At that time, 
Tuesday’s day-long workshop in Columbus, co-sponsored by Preservation Ohio and the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, turned out to be more of a conversation than a series of staid presentations. From the beginning breakfast panel discussion on local building issues in Columbus, all the way to the final session of the day, the emphasis was combining the latest information on financial incentives for preservation with the opportunity to dialogue with experts on each of those tools.
On Tuesday, I will be speaking on the subject of historic conservation easements at “Financial Incentives for Historic Properties,” a day-long workshop on tax benefits for preservation work co-sponsored by Preservation Ohio and the Columbus Landmarks Foundation.
Its always a pleasure to report on positive news concerning current and former listings on the annual List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites – and we’ve heard some over the last several weeks that we’d like to share.
