Heritage Ohio Conference in Cleveland
 CRS members can register at a reduced rate!

"The Rebirth of the City: Preservation & Revitalization in Action" is the title for Heritage Ohio's 2009 preservation conference. Cleveland is the site for the three-day event, which runs from May 5-7 primarily at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade. Mayor Frank G. Jackson will welcome attendees, Donovan Rypkema is the keynote speaker, and Franco Ruffini, Ohio's Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, will speak on current statewide preservation concerns. CRS members can register online and attend conference sessions at a discounted price. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact Kerri Broome.

Our 2009 Celebration of Preservation awards ceremony will also be part of the conference, taking place on Wednesday, May 6. Tickets are $15 per person. RSVP today!

 

 Saving Church Interiors
 Cleveland City Council seeks protection

On March 16, a Cleveland city council committee introduced legislation designed to strengthen the City's landmark law to include interiors as well as exteriors of landmark churches in an effort to forestall their demolition. The issue has arisen with the impending closing of a number of Catholic churches in the diocese. The diocese has already stated that it would remove sacred artifacts, including altars, statues and stained glass windows from the vacant buildings. Presently 28 Catholic churches have Cleveland Historic Landmark status and 3 such designations are pending. This is not a simple issue to resolve in view of the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution's protection of the right of religious freedom and how it may be interpreted. To what degree are these buildings in the public domain, as the proponents of a landmark law that extends to include interiors allege? What are the ramifications for other landmark or landmark eligible structures? Stay tuned.

Read more about the history and architecture of three of the churches currently slated to close, St. Colman (pictured above), St. Ignatius of Antioch, and St. James, on our website.

 

 Preservation News at the Federal Level
 

On March 10, an ambitious preservation agenda was advocated for Congress to consider over the next several months by historic preservation activists at Lobby Day 2009. Key issues included increased funding for Save America's Treasures, Preserve America, and state and tribal preservation offices; improvements to the federal rehabilitation tax credit program; and historic preservation provisions, safeguards and funding that should be included in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill. House and Senate leaders are seeking to have their respective resolutions adopted before the spring recess, which begins April 4, and the releases of the FY2010 budget by President Obama

The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on March 30. This legislation provides for the creation and protection of 26 million acres of American heritage as well as authorizing the Preserve America and Save America's Treasures grant programs. The law also includes numerous provisions regarding heritage areas, trails, and battlefields.

A "Dear Colleague" letter from Historic Preservation Caucus chairs Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Mike Turner (R-OH) has been circulated on the Hill requesting increased support for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) totaling $115 million in FY 2010, including: $55 million for State Historic Preservation Offices, of which $5 million will go toward competitive grants for survey activity; $20 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices; $30 million for Save America's Treasures; and $10 million for Preserve America and its grant program supporting heritage tourism and education. The letter has garnered 38 signatures to date. In the recently enacted FY'09 omnibus spending bill the HPF received $68.984 million that reduced SAT funding to $20 million and eliminated funding for the Preserve America program. So far Representative Betty Sutton is the only Ohio signer, in addition to Congressman Turner. Contact your representative ASAP and ask him/her to sign this important letter before April 2.

 

 Apply Now for Diversity Scholarship
 attend the 2009 National Preservation Conference

Individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply for scholarships from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to attend this year's National Preservation Conference. The conference will be held in Nashville, TN October 13-17. This is a wonderful opportunity for students interested in careers in the field to learn more and to meet active professionals. The application deadline is June 1, 2009.

 

 Urgent Appeal from Ohio Historical Society
 historic sites across state need your support

Governor Ted Strickland's proposed two-year budget for 2010 - 2011 would cut the Ohio Historical Society budget more than 20% from 2008 levels, reducing it to $10.7 million annually. Since 2001, OHS's budget has fluctuated from a high of $13.8 million that year to a low of $11.9 million in 2003. This year's allocation is $12 million. The major impact of the reduction would be to the state's 58 historic sites, which would suffer about a one-third drop in support from $8.3 million in 2008 to $5.4 million beginning July 1, 2009. The OHS is asking everyone to take action now and ask legislators to increase the OHS's budget by $2 million.

 

 Ohio Memory Database Online
 new resource for images

The Ohio Historical Society has launched an upgraded website that enables users to more easily upload images. Further, they have entered into a partnership with the State Library of Ohio to give both institutions access to the latest technology. As a result, over 75,000 images are now available in the new database, Ohio Memory, which is fully text searchable either by collection or by institution. Users can also save images to a "My Favorites" list that can be exported into PowerPoint or posted online to create a virtual exhibit.

 

 Jeffris Heartland Fund Available
 for preservation projects in smaller communities

A new grant program administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Midwest Regional Office, the Jeffris Heartland Fund, supports preservation projects in smaller Midwestern communities. The first round of grants was announced in March and includes one project in Ohio: the Rankin House in Ripley, which will receive $50,000 for a Historic Structure Report, architectural specifications, and a historic furnishings plan. The Trust still has over $250,000 remaining in the fund and will be soliciting applications for the June 1, 2009, grant round. Contact Jennifer Sandy for more information.

 

 Bracy E. Lewis to be Honored
 

We are pleased to announce that the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation has chosen Bracy E. Lewis to receive its prestigious 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. Bracy, a CRS Honorary Life Trustee and past president of the Board of Trustees, is a valued friend of the Cleveland Restoration Society. It has been more than seven years since the association made its last Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Bracy, for all that you have done and continue to do to make Greater Cleveland a better place in which to live and work!

 

 Shaker Heights House Colors Guide
 available in print and online

In 1983, the Shaker Heights Landmark Commission introduced several booklets for city homeowners that would help them to select exterior color schemes that are compatible with the historic character of the Shaker Heights community. Regrettably, they have since been out of print, but we are pleased to report that this is no longer the case. Shaker Village Colors has recently been re-issued by the Shaker Heights City Planning Commission for $6.50 per copy. It is available for free online.

 

 New Life for Oberlin Theater
 Moderne façade is a landmark in community

An uncertain fate for Oberlin's historic Apollo Theater has now been resolved with the transfer of the property to Oberlin College in late February. The college has announced plans to renovate the building and to continue to operate it as a movie theater. College President Marvin Krislov has said that various repairs and upgrades are planned, but there will be no significant changes to the façade or marquee. Oberlin Heritage Center Executive Director Pat Murphy has agreed to serve on the college's Apollo Advisory Committee and will be advocating for thoughtful preservation of the building's significant features and its continued use as a single screen movie theater. In the meantime, the Center is planning a program and online exhibit on the history of the Apollo and is looking for photographs or documents about the theater. Contact the Oberlin Heritage Center if you have information to share.

 

 Akron Schoolhouse to be Restored
 Progress Through Preservation initiative

A city-owned 1870s schoolhouse in a small park at West Market Street and White Pond Drive is planned for restoration by Progress Through Preservation (PTP), if they are successful in raising the $150,000 to $200,000 needed for the project. Concerns were raised last year when the city stopped renting the building while the park was constructed and there did not seem to be clarity as to its future. The school originally housed grades one through eight. When renovation is completed, PTP will move its offices to the building and pay the city a $1 a year rental fee. The long-missing bell tower will be reconstructed and aluminum siding removed from two later additions and, on the interior, carpeting that now covers the wood floor and modern kitchen cabinets will be removed.

 

 Mandel Center Seeks Nominations
 for organizations and individuals

The Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations invites nominations for the 2009 Leadership in Nonprofit Management Award, presented to an individual with an outstanding record of leadership, and the 2009 Organization Innovation Award, presented to an organization with an outstanding record of innovation. Community members familiar with the work of an outstanding nonprofit leader or organization in Northeast Ohio are encouraged to submit a nomination. Nomination forms must be received by noon, Friday, May 1. The awards will be presented at a late afternoon program on September 29, 2009 featuring keynote speaker Diana Aviv, President and CEO of Independent Sector.

 

 Calendar of Events
 what to do, where to do it, and when to go

April 4
Interior Painting
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
RSVP to Chrissy Kozey, 330-315-3261, $
Part of the 2009 Historic House Workshop Series
Cleveland Restoration Society
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Progress Through Preservation

April 9
Exterior Painting for Your Older Home
Folger House, 32770 Lake Rd, Avon Lake, 7:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Avon Lake Landmark Preservation Society

April 16
Bioneers Brown Bag
Featuring DVD of Paul Stamets: "Solutions from the Underground: Using Fungi to Help Save the World"
Glickman-Miller Hall, Room 326, 12:00 - 2:00 pm, register
1717 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

April 16 - 17
Financing the Future
Seattle, registration is open, $$$
National Arts Strategies

April 18
Ask the Contractor: Planning a Rehab
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
RSVP to Chrissy Kozey, 330-315-3261, $
Part of the 2009 Historic House Workshop Series
Cleveland Restoration Society
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Progress Through Preservation

April 19
Neighborhood History Gallery Talk: Historic Homes
9815 Lorain Ave., 1:00 pm
Cudell Improvement, Inc., 216-228-4383

April 23
"Setting the Stage, Beating the Odds" Moderated Panel
Part of the "Beyond Foreclosure" series
Glickman-Miller Hall Atrium, 4:00 - 6:30 pm, register
1717 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

April 24
Lessons from the Rhur Valley
Glickman-Miller Hall Atrium, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, register
1717 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

April 28
Exterior Painting for Your Older Home
Oberlin Public Library, 65 S. Main, Oberlin, 7:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Oberlin Heritage Center
Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission
Lorain County Preservation Network

April 30
Redeveloping the Port of Cleveland Lakefront Land
Glickman-Miller Hall Atrium, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
1717 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

 

 Save the Date!
 

May 5
Exterior Painting for Your Older Home Medina Public Library, 210 S. Broadway, Medina , 7:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Medina Community Design Committee

May 5 - 7
Rebirth of the City: Preservation & Revitalization in Action
2009 Preservation and Revitalization Conference, $$$
CRS members can register at Heritage Ohio member price
Contact Laurie Levison for more information
Heritage Ohio

May 6
Museum Marauders: Integrated Preventative Pest Management
Instructor, Dr. Thomas A. Parker, Entomologist and President of Pest Control Services, Inc.
9:00 am - 4:30 pm, register, $$
Fenn Tower, Room 102, 1983 E 24th Street, Cleveland
Intermuseum Conservation Association Cleveland State University Library Special Collections
Ohio Preservation Council

May 6
Celebration of Preservation
Hanna Theatre, Cleveland, 5:30 pm, $
Cleveland Restoration Society
AIA Cleveland

June 1 -3
Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Building Leadership to Restore Communities
Louisville, KY, registration is open, $$$
National Vacant Properties Campaign