The New Age of Preservation

May is Preservation Month, and throughout the month, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and state and local preservation organizations (like the Cleveland Restoration Society are showing how we celebrate and save historic places all year-round! CRS started our Preservation Month festivities with our annual Celebration of Preservation awards program. You can read about the winners later in this issue of Perspectives. The theme of Preservation Month for 2014 is "New Age of Preservation: Embark, Inspire, Engage." May always offers many activities in Northeast Ohio. Check out our events calendar for some great ideas!

Another event that you can start planning for now is the annual National Preservation Conference. The 2014 conference, PastForward, will take place November 11 - 14 in Savannah, Georgia at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa.  Savannah is a great American city that warrants a second, or for the National Preservation Conference, a third visit (1968, 1998 and now in 2014). From its commitment to historic preservation to its forward thinking and innovative approaches, there's so much to learn from this city, its community and its people. More details will be available in June and registration will open July 1. Be sure to join the Facebook PastForward event page and follow the conference at Twitter @PresNationLive (#presconf).

Legacy Cities Conference Update

Registration is open for "Historic Preservation in America's Legacy Cities: An Interdisciplinary Convening." This conference will be held at Cleveland State University June 5 - 7, 2014. Hosted by the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs and the Cleveland Restoration Society, this event will be a gathering to discuss the role of historic preservation in revitalizing America's Legacy Cities.  You can view the preliminary program and the session descriptions online here. Don't miss this opportunity! Click here for registration.

Announcing the 2014 Preservation Award Winners!

Last Thursday, the Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland recognized eleven projects at the annual Celebration of Preservation award program at the Union Club. These awards are bestowed upon organizations, companies, and individuals whose contributions demonstrate excellence and outstanding commitment to our communities. Our 2014 award winners are:

• Cleveland Architects Database
• Weymouth Preservation Society
• Langston Hughes House
• 1103 Starkweather
• The Transformer Station
• Cleveland Heights Residence
• St. Patrick Church
• Victory Center
• University Tower Apartments
• Charles F. Schweinfurth: Uncompromising Architect of Cleveland's Valiant Age
• St. Luke's Manor

Winners were selected by a jury of AIA and CRS representatives. The selection criteria included the overall quality of work, adherence to preservation standards, the risk taken by project partners, the use of innovative project tools, and impact on the greater community. The Celebration of Preservation event is a joyful, colorful gathering that shows what a difference preservation is making in the communities of Northeast Ohio. To see more about this year's awards, click here. 

Heritage Program Welcomes  

New Communities

Since the beginning of the year, Brook Park, Brooklyn Heights, Chardon, Olmsted Falls, Russell Township, Warrensville Heights and Cleveland's Ward 3 (Councilman Joe Cimperman, shown here) have become the latest communities to join the Heritage Home Program(SM).  Owners of homes fifty years or older now have access to free technical assistance, personalized site visits, and low interest fixed rate financing for repairs and renovations.  For more information, and a complete list of the participating communities, go to www.heritagehomeprogram.org.

Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist Update

Following an RFP from the City of Cleveland, three proposals were submitted for the Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist. The church building is located at Lake Avenue and W. 117th Street. It is currently owned by the City. Two of the ideas submitted propose to demolish the church and create residential units along Lake Avenue. The third submission proposes to rehabilitate the church to create an indoor climbing facility. You can view the three proposals here.

New National Treasures

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently announced a new round of National Treasures.  National Treasures are historic places with national significance, or their protection sets an important national precedent; are threatened; and where the National Trust can make a distinctive contribution to a successful outcome.  These Treasures focus on geographic diversity.  The new National Treasures are:

• Antiguo Acueducto del Rio Peidras (San Juan, PR)
• Painted Desert Community Complex (Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona)
• Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
• Villa Lewaro (Irvington, New York)
• New York State Pavilion (Queens, New York)
• Whitney Studio (New York, New York)
• James River (Virginia)
• The Palisades (New Jersey)
• Fort Huachuca - Mountain View Officers' Club (Arizona)

There will be two more rounds of Treasures in this calendar year, so if you have sites you feel might meet the criteria to be a National Treasure, send your suggestions to the National Trust at nominations@savingplaces.org.  Your email should include name or a description of the site; location; brief explanation of the site's significance; brief explanation of the threat; contact person; and a photo of the site. It's that simple!

Ohio Historical Society Rebranding as 

Ohio History Connection

The Ohio Historical Society is about to make history of its own with a brand new name: the Ohio History Connection. Burt Logan, executive director and CEO of the Ohio Historical Society, said the name change is the result of two years of research both nationally and in Ohio. Logan said an overwhelming majority of respondents enjoyed the services and historical sites in Ohio, but those same people felt the words "historical" and "society" were too exclusive and antiquated. "That is the exact opposite of what we are and what we aim to be," he added. "We believe the Ohio History Connection communicates our service in the simplest way possible: assisting people with accessing, preserving and sharing Ohio's past."  The new name will take effect Saturday, May 24 with a celebratory event. 

Joe Marinucci Honored  

for Charity

Joe Marinucci, president & CEO of Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Inc. and immediate past president of the Cleveland Restoration Society, will be honored by the Ohio Cancer Research Associates on May 8 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. The event, called the Grand Illusions Saute, raises funds for basic cancer research, public information and awareness. When it comes to the frying pan, Joe is no slouch. We have been grateful for his expertise in manning CRS's grill at the annual Beer & Brats @ the Benedict, and even more so for his support and wisdom with countless board-related issues. Joe is an incredible asset to Cleveland.  The board and staff of CRS wish him and the Ohio Cancer Research Associates the best of luck in their fundraising efforts.

In Memoriam: Ray Shepardson

The Cleveland Restoration Society honors the spirit and dedication of Ray Shepardson, who passed away last month. Ray rallied Clevelanders to save the historic theatres in Playhouse Square. He was the first and prominent voice to save our city's beautiful and irreplaceable theatre district. After leaving Cleveland, Ray continued to work for and to inspire the revitalization of historic theatres across the country. We send our condolences to his family and friends. Photo by Lois Bernstein/AP. 

CRS Seeks Database Developers

CRS is looking for a Database Developer to update its Access Database containing information from its Heritage Home Program for the past 22 years. Persons that are interested should go here for the complete Request for Proposals containing details about our database and the changes we are hoping to achieve. RFPs are due May 25, 2014.  Please pass this information on to any computer whiz who you think might be interested in the project.

Heritage Ohio Call for Award Nominations

Heritage Ohio's annual awards recognize the best in the state for historic preservation and downtown revitalization in categories such as Best Public/Private Partnership, Spirit of Main Street, Best Commercial Rehabilitation, and (new this year) Historic Farmstead of the Year.  They are accepting nominations now through Friday, May 23, in order to honor award winners at a special ceremony during the organization's annual conference in September.  If you have a project or person that deserves special recognition for historic preservation or downtown revitalization, complete and submit a nomination form, available here.

Heritage Ohio issues RFP for New Program

Heritage Ohio has begun laying the groundwork for their new brick & mortar fund, Save Ohio's Treasures. They've issued an RFP to retain a consultant to help write an implementation plan for the program. RFPs are due May 30. View the RFP here.

Heritage Ohio 2014 Photo Contest

It's Preservation Month, and that means it's time to vote for your favorite image in Heritage Ohio's Preservation Month 2014 Photo Contest. You can view the finalists and vote here. Voting closes May 22 and the winner will be announced May 23.

CAC Releases Annual Report  

to the Community

In April, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) released new data demonstrating that public funding for arts and culture continues to have a positive impact on the residents of Cuyahoga County. The data, as well as stories highlighting the impact of funding on CAC-funded organizations, are highlighted in CAC's 2013 Report to the Community, "Your Investment. Strengthening Community." A PDF of the report is available here. CAC provided $13.7 million in operating support to 57 nonprofit organizations in 2013, including the Cleveland Restoration Society. Since Cuyahoga Arts & Culture was created by voters in 2006, it has invested more than $112 million in 259 arts and culture organizations throughout Cuyahoga County.

Lakewood's 5th Annual Preservation Month Scavenger Hunt

The Lakewood Historical Society is hosting its 5th annual scavenger hunt to celebrate National Preservation Month. The scavenger hunt of twenty historic architectural features, all found throughout Lakewood, will run between May 10 and May 20, 2014. The downloadable entry form will be posted on the Lakewood Historical Society web site and Facebook page, Vintage Lakewood, on May 10.  Completed entries must be submitted by 7:00 p.m. on May 20 at Rozi's Wine House (14900 Detroit Avenue) or Lakewood Hardware (16608 Madison Avenue).  For more information, click here.

South Euclid Real Estate Professionals Workshop

The City of South Euclid is hosting a Real Estate Professionals Workshop on Monday, May 12.  Consider attending if you are a licensed real estate professional interested in earning two continuing education credits, enjoying a delicious lunch at the Mayfield Sand Ridge Club, and learning about the many new and exciting developments that will change the way you think about and sell South Euclid.  This includes the brand new Heritage Home Purchase Program from the Cleveland Restoration Society and First Federal Lakewood that will open up a new market of prospects for properties in need of renovation. RSVP here.

Discover Cleveland's Neighborhoods this Month

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is offering citywide bus tours to introduce (or re-introduce) you to some of the coolest and most unique places to live in Northeast Ohio. Join them and see why Tremont and Ohio City receive so much publicity; why University Circle is considered the most intellectual square mile in the nation; and why demand is so high for downtown Cleveland living options.  Each tour will also include stops at select available residential units.  These "City Life Tours" will boost your love and passion for Cleveland. Each tour takes approximately 2.5 hours. Tours are scheduled for May 10 and May 31. Reserve your spot here.

New Series of Home Tours Planned Through ARTneo

Throughout 2014, ARTneo is presenting a series of exclusive tours of beautiful homes and spectacular art collections. This series is being called "Elegant Domesticity: A Celebration of the Art & Architecture of Cleveland". Tours are $35 per person individually or $150 for the entire series. The first event is planned for May 18 and tours three of the modern homes highlighted in the ARTneo exhibition "Cleveland Goes Modern: Designs for the Home 1930-1970". For information, call 216-227-9507 or visit www.artneo.org.