Act Now to Save Preservation Programs
 simple steps you can take

In February, President Obama released his FY 2011 budget request that would eliminate funding for Save America's Treasures and Preserve America, and cut funding for National Heritage Areas by 50 percent. These critical historic preservation programs matter now more than ever - not only because they protect our national heritage but because they serve as economic development engines and job creators in the thousands of communities they serve. For example, Save America's Treasures alone has been responsible for more than 16,000 jobs since it was created just ten years ago. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is asking you to send a message to your members of Congress, asking them to support restoration of funding for Save America's Treasures and other preservation programs as the House and Senate work on their respective budget bills. The process is simple and only takes a few minutes. More information is available here.

 

 Help Save the Sites of the Civil Rights Movement
 what you can do right now

The battles of the African-American Civil Rights Movement were waged in classrooms, at lunch counters, on buses, and in countless public squares across the nation. Many of these places, like Little Rock's Central High School and the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, stand as poignant reminders and enduring tributes to the people, purpose, and passion that drove a generation of activists to demand equal rights and a better future for their children. Unfortunately, many of these sites are at serious risk of being lost. Some 49 sites have been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, but others are seen as too young or too non-traditional to receive the attention and protection they deserve. The United States Civil Rights Trail Act (Senate Bill 1802) calls for a Special Resources Study to identify the resources and themes associated with the movement to secure racial equality for African Americans. It is the first step in a multi-year journey to realize a Civil Rights Heritage Trail. A companion bill has already passed the House of Representatives. You can be part of this historic effort to document and protect our nation's civil rights heritage. Learn more here.

 

 OAHSM Regional Meetings Planned
 celebrate local history

The Ohio Association of Historical Societies & Museums has announced its annual round of regional meetings. 2010 marks OAHSM's 50th year as the statewide network and resource for local history groups in Ohio. At the meetings they will be celebrating, commemorating, and highlighting the ways that local history groups are using history to group their organizations. Most of our readers are in Region 3, which includes Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and Summit Counties. This meeting will be held on April 24 in Fairview Park. Registration is available online. If you are unsure which region your organization is in, click "View Full Agenda" in the previous link and there will be more details.

 

 County Releases 2009 Annual Report
 Department of Development information

The Cuyahoga County Department of Development has released its 2009 Annual Report. Included in the 15-page online report (PDF) are sections on entrepreneurship and innovation, sustainability and brownfields, and the storefront renovation program.

 

 AIA Cleveland to Observe Architecture Week
 will hold variety of events in April

AIA Cleveland, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, will hold an exhibition April 16 - 25 at Convivium 33 Gallery, 1433 East 33rd Street, Cleveland, to celebrate Architecture Week. The exhibition will be of regional architects and activities of the built environment and their role in the future of the region. Additional events for Architecture Week will include an opening reception, a building tour, a panel discussion of adaptive use of sacred landmarks, a Pecha Kucha Night, a happy hour, and a closing party panel discussion.

 

 Cozad-Bates House Featured on National Blog
 in celebration of Black History Month

As we told you last month, an article by CRS's own Kerrington Adams appeared in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's blog. "The Cozad-Bates House: A Journey to Freedom" featured a brief history of the University Circle property, Joan Southgate's efforts to raise awareness about its important history, and the exciting plans for its rebirth.

 

 Help for Community Gardens in Cleveland
 applications due 3/19

The City of Clevelands Division of Neighborhood Services and the Ohio State University Extension (OSUE) Urban Agriculture Program are looking for gardeners to participate in the Summer Sprout program. Together, OSUEs Urban Agriculture Program and Summer Sprout have been working for more than 30 years to help residents of Cleveland organize and maintain community vegetable gardens that provide healthful produce, neighborhood beauty and green space, and a positive community-building activity. Participating community gardens receive vegetable seeds, plant starts, soil amendments, some soil preparation, and assistance in getting a fire hydrant permit for watering. Plots must be located within the City of Cleveland. The deadline is March 19. For more information, contact OSUE at 216-429-8200 ext. 246.

 

 Matching Grants for Lomond Neighborhood
 funds will be available in the fall

Good news for residents of the Lomond neighborhood in Shaker Heights - Fund for the Future has awarded another round of funding to the Lomond Association for the Lomond Revitalization Grant. Last spring over $300,000 was invested into the community between the Fund for the Future matching grant and homeowners' personal funds. This year homeowners will again be able to apply for a matching grant of up to $7,500 towards qualified exterior projects. The focus of the program is to enhance curb appeal through quality improvements (like those done to this house on Daleford) that also preserve the historic and architectural character of the home and the surrounding neighborhood. The Lomond Association will be working with the Fund for the Future to iron out details over the coming months, but they expect to start accepting applications in the late fall. Be sure to check out www.lomondonline.com for additional information as it becomes available.

 

 Wellington Named "Best Old House Neighborhood"
 accolades for local small town

This Old House magazine has named Wellington, Ohio a "best old house neighborhood" in its March 2010 issue, released on February 24. As one of the picks for "best spot for old house lovers in the middle of the country," Wellington was lauded by the magazine for the diversity and integrity of its nineteenth and early twentieth century residential architecture. The community of approximately 4,700 is located in southern Lorain County, about 50 miles from Cleveland. Take a short road trip to the west and see for yourself!

 

 Where is Benedict?
 be the first to give his correct location and win!


Where, oh where could Benedict be today? But perhaps the more important question is how much longer he'll be able to be here...

If you know where Benedict has landed this month, be the first to send the correct response. The winner will receive a one-year membership in the Cleveland Restoration Society. Good luck!

 

 Garden Level Office for Lease
 1,800 SF of fully improved space

Are you looking for affordable, beautifully improved office space in a great location with easy access to the Inner Belt and free parking for your employees and visitors? The Cleveland Restoration Society is making available for lease the garden level of its historic building the Sarah Benedict House for the first time ever. This flexible space in the Midtown Cleveland neighborhood features a private entrance onto Prospect Avenue, three rooms, a restroom, and storage facilities. It is fully accessible by elevator. A kitchen is available for employee use and for catering. As an added benefit, the lovely, restored first floor rooms of the house and the garden, open seasonally, may be reserved for meetings or events. Contact Felicia Hall for more information.

 

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

March 4
"Freedom's Friends: Oberlin, the Underground Railroad, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument"
Lorain County Metroparks' Vermilion River Reservation
51211 North Ridge Road, Vermilion, 7:00 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center

March 5
"Crooked River Gaming: How Do We Weave the New Casino into Cleveland's Existing Urban Fabric?"
The City Club, 5:00 - 7:30 pm, RSVP
850 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
The Cleveland Coalition

March 9
Towpath Trail Public Open House
St. Joseph/OLA Center, 4:30 - 7:30 pm, RSVP
2346 W. 14th St., Cleveland
Towpath Trail Partnership Committee

March 13
Lakewood Downtown Open House
Showcase of homes, info for buyers, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
LakewoodAlive

March 16
"The Gold Rush of 1849: Adventures of Lorain County's Buckeye Company on the California Trail"
Kendal at Oberlin, Heiser Auditorium, 7:15 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center

March 19
Historic Tax Credit Workshop
Mount Vernon, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
registration required, $$
Heritage Ohio

March 20
Home Remodeling Fair
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Main Library
2345 Lee Rd., 10:00 am - 2:15 pm
Home Repair Resource Center

March 23
"Building 'Buy Local' Campaigns that Work"
Main Street training
Medina County District Library, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
210 S. Broadway, Medina, register by 3/15
Heritage Ohio

March 24
"Planning Your Home Rehab Project"
Presentation by CRS's Kerrington Adams
Oberlin Public Library, 7:00pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Oberlin Heritage Center
Lorain County Preservation Network
City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission

March 25
"Tipping Points in Urban Change: Modern Perspectives on Agents of Urbanization"
Free Public Symposium at CWRU, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Clark Hall, Room 206, 11130 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland
Department of History
Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities
National Science Foundation

March 25
Ludlow Community Home Improvement Workshop
Green View School, 7:00 pm
14201 Southington Rd., Cleveland
Shaker Square Area Development

March 26
Legal Implications of Zoning Decisions for Smart Planning and Development
Cleveland State University, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Glickman-Miller Hall, 1717 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
American Planning Association, Cleveland Section
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

March 30
"Green the Ghetto - and How Much it Won't Cost Us"
Community Forum with Majora Carter
St. James AME Church, 5:00 pm
8401 Cedar Ave., Cleveland, reservations required, 216-621-0082
Policy Bridge
The City Club

March 30
Larchmere Community Home Improvement Workshop
Our Lady of Peach School, 7:00 pm
12406 Buckingham Ave., Cleveland
Shaker Square Area Development

 

 Save the Date!
 

April 7
"Exterior Painting and Historic Color"
With CRS's Kerrington Adams
Lakewood Public Library, Main Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Lakewood Historical Society

April 7
Oberlin Heritage Center Annual Meeting
Oberlin Inn, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, $$
Oberlin Heritage Center

April 8
CHALK & CHAD/Drexmore Communities Home Improvement Workshop
Green View School, 7:00 pm
14900 Drexmore Rd., Cleveland
Shaker Square Area Development

April 17
2010 Broadway Slavic Village Neighborhood Summit
Bohemian National Hall, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Slavic Village Development

April 20
No Building Left Behind: Adaptive Reuse of Sacred Spaces
Cleveland State University, 4:00 - 6:30 pm
Glickman-Miller Hall, 1717 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Cleveland Restoration Society
AIA Cleveland
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

April 21
"The Greenest House is Already Built"
Presentation by CRS's Kerrington Adams
Oberlin Public Library, 7:00pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Oberlin Heritage Center
Lorain County Preservation Network
City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission

April 24
OAHSM Region 3 Meeting
Gemini Center, 21225 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park
9:00 am - 4:00 pm, register by April 19, $$$
Ohio Association of Historical Societies & Museums

May 12
"Designing an Appropriate Addition for an Old House"
With CRS's Kerrington Adams
Lakewood Public Library, Main Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Lakewood Historical Society

May 20
Celebration of Preservation
Hanna Theatre, 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland
Cleveland Restoration Society
AIA Cleveland