Perspectives Winter Banner
  Kerri Broome, editor
February 2013  

CRS logo 40th Anniversary Logo
In This Issue
CRS's 40th Birthday Party
Share Your Old CRS Photos
Lakewood Home Open House
2013 Preservation Award Nominations Due
Vote for Arts & Culture Projects
Grant Program to Help Revive Arcades
New Main Street Subsidiary
Transformer Station Opens
CMNH Announces Expansion Plans
CWRU & CMA to Buy Property
National Trust March 1 Deadlines
In Memoriam: Inez Killingsworth
News from the Sarah Benedict House
Hope for the City Series at Old Stone Church
Ohio Statehood Day
Rent the Sarah Benedict House
More About CRS

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CAC logoOAC logo

Birthday Party

Sweet Birthday Party Success!

What a sight it was on Monday night when more than 200 of you came to Cleveland City Hall to show your support and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Cleveland Restoration Society! Our members, board, and staff gathered together in one of Cleveland's first landmarked structures to celebrate four decades of advancing historic preservation in our city. We were able to share our enthusiasm for appreciating our heritage as we work to make Cleveland a better place for future generations as packed City Council Chambers! In receiving an honorary proclamation from Cleveland City Council, CRS even shared the exciting details about our newest initiative, our 40th Anniversary Legacy Project, which will designate new landmarks significant in African American history. Thank you to excellent cake bakers, A Cookie and A Cupcake of Tremont!

 

You can view images from the party in the photo album here. Did you attend and take pictures? We'd love to see your images, too.  

Contact us! 

 

 

 

Judge Burke at the Dining Decor Event In Search of Old CRS Photos

We're on the lookout for photos from Cleveland Restoration Society events of years past. Did you go on one of our SNOOP tours in the 1990s? (Yes, we had them even then!) How about a Fireside Chat? Did you take a tour during the 2002 National Preservation Conference and take a picture? If you captured any of these earlier CRS events on film, we'd like to hear from you! Contact us! 

 

 

 

1436 Grace interior

Fabulous Historic Rehab Opportunities in Lakewood - Open for Viewing Tomorrow! 

The Cleveland Restoration Society is working with the City of Lakewood to market two houses in need of extensive rehab to qualified buyers, and you can see them for yourself at open houses to be held tomorrow, February 2, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The first house, 1436 Grace Avenue, (pictured) is a distinctive Victorian Gothic home built in 1895 for Howard L. Kinney. It has ten bedrooms and four full baths, but needs an extensive rehab. Grace Avenue is part of a trio of streets in Lakewood that has one of the best concentrations of late Victorian architecture in the County. The area even garnered mention in the AIA's Guide to Cleveland Architecture. The second house, at 1446 Mars Avenue, is just steps away from the Lakewood Public Library and the city's revitalized downtown, part of the National Trust's Main Street Program. Built in 1905, this house has nine bedrooms and 2 and a half baths. While these two homes need extensive work, CRS can assist you with very low interest financing (as low as 1.4%!) through our Heritage Home Program(SM).

 

RSVP for the open houses here.

 

 

 

Celebration of Preservation Award Nominations

Deadline Extended to February 15   

The Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland are seeking nominations for the 2013 Preservation Awards and have extended the nomination deadline to Friday, February 15 at 5:00 p.m. The awards are bestowed upon individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence and outstanding commitment. They will be presented at the Celebration of Preservation on May 30, during Preservation Month.  The nomination form is available here. If you have questions about the award program or the nomination process, contact Mary Ogle.

 

 

CAC logo Vote to Fund New  

Arts & Culture Initiatives

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture needs your help! There are six new projects in our community that have made the first cut under CAC's new Creative Culture Grants program. Now it's your turn.  Your vote can help decide which two projects will be funded! You must be at least 13 years old and live in Cuyahoga County during the voting period in order to vote.  Voting opens today and will continue online through February 20 (via mail by February 15). Learn more at www.cacgrants.org/vote.
 

 

 

5th Street Arcades logo

New Grant Competition to  

Revive Arcades

The 5th Street Arcades, formerly known as the Colonial & Euclid Arcades, are getting a boost from Downtown Cleveland Alliance and developer Dick Pace. Through Charter One Growing Communities, individuals can apply for grants in amounts from $1,500 to $20,000 to start a new business at the arcades. Pace hopes that this funding, as well as free or reduced rent for the first year, will give the arcades the synergy that they need make them a thriving downtown spot once again. Applications for the funding must be submitted by March 1 at 5:00 p.m. Find out more about the selection process and get the online application here.

 

 

 

 

National Trust Launches New Main Street Subsidiary

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced the creation of a new subsidiary, The National Main Street Center, Inc., as the next step for its successful National Main Street program. The decision to establish a subsidiary was made after a year-long study to determine how best to support and expand the Center's reach. With a separate board of directors focused on the opportunities for Main Street, yet working under the umbrella of the National Trust, the Main Street Center will be able to draw upon new leaders and resources while keeping preservation as a core tenant of the program. One of the first tasks of the new board will be selection of a CEO to direct the subsidiary. Over the past 33 years, the Main Street program has resulted in $54 billion in investment, the rehabilitation of more than 229,000 buildings, and the creation of 450,000 jobs in those cities and towns. Officials at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development have cited the Main Street program as one of the most successful economic development strategies in the United States.

 

 

 

VIDEO: A Sneak Peek at Transformer StationTransformer Station  

Museum Opens

The Transformer Station, the art museum being created in a 1924 electrical substation along Cleveland's Detroit Avenue, is set to open today, February 1. This project is a joint venture between the Cleveland Museum of Art and Fred & Laura Ruth Bidwell. Cool Cleveland recently posted this video featuring Fred Bidwell. Check out the new museum during its extended hours this opening weekend. 

 

 

 

CMNH concept CMNH Announces Expansion Plans

A beloved University Circle institution, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), has announced an ambitious plan to renovate and build upon its facility. The CMNH, through a $125 million project, plans to demolish part of its 1950s building, renovate the remainder to make the visitor experience more hands-on, and then construct two new light-filled wings. The museum building, completed in 1956, is a contributing structure to the Wade Park National Register District. CRS provided assistance to the museum as part of the project, by sharing information about building documentation standards for the existing structure. Founded in 1920, the CMNH is a highly regarded museum. Read more about the project here.  

Image � Fentress Architects  

 

 

 

Cleveland Institute of Art property

CWRU & CMA to Buy Property

Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Museum of Art have agreed to buy property currently owned by the Cleveland Institute of Art. When CIA consolidates its operation on Euclid Avenue, this property, at the corner of East Boulevard and Bellflower Road, will be left vacant. The new owners have not announced future plans for building or its 4.13-acre parcel of land. The deal is expected to close in 2015.

 

 

 

National Trust's  March 1 Deadlines

The National Trust is now accepting nominations for its 2013 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. If you know of an important local site that would benefit from national attention, now is the time to take action. The deadline for nominating a site to the list is March 1. Additional information and the full nomination form are available here

 

Each year the National Trust celebrates the best of preservation by presenting the Richard H. Driehaus National Preservation Awards to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence in historic preservation. As members of the National Trust Partners Network, we know you are all working hard to ensure that the historic fabric of our country is preserved. Nominations are currently being accepted for 2013 awards. Click here to read the eligibility requirements and award descriptions. The entire application must be completed online, and the nomination deadline for all awards is March 1. Contact [email protected] for more information.

 

 

In Memoriam: Inez Killingsworth

We are sad to note the January 17 passing of Inez Killingsworth, founder of Empowering & Strengthening Ohio's People. Her long career in community organizing, saving homes from foreclosure and empowering others to take action was inspired by her father's work during the civil rights movement. "He was making a difference in people's lives, and that's what I wanted to do," Inez said. Her work in Cleveland's Union-Miles neighborhood led her to found the East Side Organizing Project in 1993. Soon after she began researching predatory lending and foreclosures, determined to bring national attention to the epidemic. Inez led ESOP in using direct action organizing against banks engaged in predatory lending and abusive servicing and foreclosure practices. After retiring from Cleveland Public Schools in 2001, ESOP and other community work became Inez's second career. In 2008 Inez testified before congress about the impact of predatory lending and the foreclosure crisis. Today ESOP has nine offices to help homeowners statewide. Inez was also involved with many other organizations, both locally and nationally, and served as a trustee of her church. She is survived by her five children, ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

 

 

 

Rich on a site visit

From the  

Sarah Benedict House

Congratulations to Preservation Construction Manager Rich Stanovich, who celebrated fourteen years at CRS in January. Rich has worked extensively with many of our Heritage Home Program participants. Here he is seen giving advice to Sarah Haring and Wayne Wiethe of the City of Green on the wonderful 1883 barn at the Hartong House farm, owned by the city.

 

 

 

"Hope for the City" Series at Old Stone Church

The Old Stone Church on Public Square in Downtown Cleveland is hosting its fifth annual Lenten Leadership Series called Hope for the City. Hear some of Cleveland's leaders share their vision for the city. The event takes place on Wednesdays around noon. The first talk in the series will feature architect and city planner Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time on February 20 at 11:30 a.m. A free lunch is provided; donations are appreciated.

 

 

 

Ohio Statehood Day to be Held February 27

In commemoration of Ohio's founding, the Ohio Historical Society and its partners invite you to join a broad coalition of history advocates for the annual Statehood Day event. Statehood Day this year will be Wednesday, February 27. The state's birthday serves as an appropriate time each year for history advocates to come together (on or near March 1) to help showcase the importance of Ohio's history and how history, historic preservation and the organizations that help provide access to Ohio's rich history benefit the Buckeye State. Statehood Day is a celebration of Ohio and its history, as well as a legislative advocacy event. The purpose is to educate our elected representative about the issues we face and how they can participate to make our communities stronger. Learn more about Statehood Day, and how you can participate, here.

 

 

wedding at the Sarah Benedict House

Rent the Sarah Benedict House  

for Your Event 

Are you looking for a unique venue for your next special event or business meeting?  Consider the historic Sarah Benedict House, located in the heart of the MidTown neighborhood at 3751 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland.  Built in 1883, the house is fully restored and rehabilitated and offers four accessible rooms on its first floor, two restrooms, a catering kitchen, and a beautiful garden. There is ample, free parking. Contact Felicia Hall for more information.       

 

 

 

Events

Upcoming Events    

 

February 2

Ice-A-Fair to Remember

Downtown Vermilion, Liberty Avenue at Main Street

11:00 a.m.

Main Street Vermilion 

  

February 2

Open Houses in Lakewood

1436 Grace Ave. and 1446 Mars Ave., Lakewood

2:00 - 4:00 p.m., RSVP, FREE

Cleveland Restoration Society

City of Lakewood

 

February 6

Webinar: "Developing the Fundraising Plan: Your Roadmap to Success"

1:00 - 2:00 p.m., registration required, FREE for members

Heritage Ohio

 

February 11

"Why Preservation?"

Cuyahoga County Public Library - North Royalton Branch, 14600 State Rd., North Royalton

7:00 p.m., 440-237-3800, FREE 

Cleveland Restoration Society 

 

February 13

Webinar: "Historic Tax Credit Application & New Pipeline Program

1:00 - 2:00 p.m., registration required, FREE for members

Heritage Ohio

 

February 16-17

Family History Festival

WRHS History Center, 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., $

Western Reserve Historical Society 

 

February 20

"Hope for the City Series" Featuring Jeff Speck

Old Stone Church, Public Square, Cleveland

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., registration required, FREE

 

February 21

Presentation: "Recently Historic: Houses of the 1950s - 1960s"

7:00 p.m., FREE

Perry Public Library, 3753 Main St., Perry

Cleveland Restoration Society 

 

February 24

African American History Month Event

Featuring Dr. Clement A. Price

Karamu House

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Cleveland Restoration Society 

 

February 25 - 26

"The Buck Starts Here" Fundraising Workshop

Columbus, registration required 

Heritage Ohio  

 

February 27

Statehood Day

Ohio Statehouse, Columbus

Registration required, $

Ohio Historical Society 

 

February 27

"Hope for the City Series" Featuring Ann Zoller and Gregory Peckham of LAND studio

Old Stone Church, Public Square, Cleveland

Noon. - 1:00 p.m., registration required, FREE

 

February 27

Cultural Heritage Management Capacity Building in Libya

7:15 p.m., FREE

Kendal at Oberlin, 600 Kendal Dr., Oberlin, Heiser Auditorium

Oberlin Heritage Center 

 

 

 

 

Save the Date    

 

March 6

"Hope for the City Series" Featuring Jennifer Coleman, chair of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission

Old Stone Church, Public Square, Cleveland

Noon. - 1:00 p.m., registration required, FREE

 

March 12

"Why Preservation?"

16500 Van Aken Blvd., Shaker Heights

6:30 p.m., 216-991-2030

Cleveland Restoration Society

 

March 20

"Hope for the City Series" Featuring Anthony Coyne, chair of the Group Plan Commission

Old Stone Church, Public Square, Cleveland

Noon. - 1:00 p.m., registration required, FREE

 

 

 

Cleveland Restoration Society
3751 Prospect Avenue

Cleveland, OH  44115

(216) 426-1000

www.clevelandrestoration.org