Join the Cleveland Restoration Society to see historic preservation in action along Cleveland's historic Franklin Boulevard on Saturday, April 25. Come learn about the work we've done through our Heritage Home Program over the last twenty-three years. This program started in this neighborhood in 1992. At that time it was very difficult to obtain financing for these larger homes, built at the turn of the twentieth century. In the past two decades, CRS has financed 49 projects worth $1.8 million and has provided free technical assistance worth an additional $2.4 million to Franklin Boulevard property owners. The SNOOP! will start at 1:30 p.m. with a presentation at the Gordon Square Arcade, 6516 Detroit Avenue, in the atrium. Then you are free to walk, drive, or bike to several homes along nearby Franklin Boulevard that will be open for touring. This event is for free but for CRS members only. Make your reservation now. Not a yet a member? Join now and then you, too, can SNOOP!  

Make a day of it! Come out early or stay afterward to see what the neighborhood has to offer from retail shopping and art galleries to restaurants and entertainment - the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood has something for everyone! Thanks to our partner, Detroit Shoreway Community Development Corporation, for hosting this event.

Support the Federal Historic Tax Credit

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Action, National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and Historic Tax Credit Coalition are again sponsoring a national sign-on letter to demonstrate support for the federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) and influence discussions now underway in the Senate to revise the US Tax Code. In less than 72 hours, these four historic preservation groups have already received over 160 signatures from interested supporters across the nation. Cleveland Restoration Society has added its name. To add your organization or business name to the sign-on letter, please contact Carl Wolf of the National Trust at [email protected] by Monday, April 13.

Harvard Study Compares Demolition to Rehabilitation

Last month, Cleveland Restoration Society's COO, Tom Jorgensen, posted an entry to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Leadership Forum Blog. The focus of his post was a study completed by a team of researchers from several nonprofits and universities in the Cleveland area at the request of Harvard University. The purpose of this examination was primarily to answer this question: "Can a model for vacant house renovation be developed that provides safe decent housing, is beneficial for the surrounding neighborhood, but does not require subsidy, or, at minimum, does not require any more subsidy than the $10,000 required to demolish a house in Cleveland?" To read Tom's full blog entry, click here.

Free Dumpsters Available to Improve Cleveland Neighborhoods

Budget Dumpster, a national dumpster rental company based in Westlake, recently launched a new Dumpster Donation Program in an effort to help make Cleveland a better place live. This program allows local nonprofits and community leaders to request a dumpster donation to support community development and revitalization projects around the city. Budget Dumpster provides dumpster donations for the following types of projects:

• Historical building renovations
• Community park cleanups and improvements
• Environmental cleanups (that do not involve hazardous materials)
• Urban development projects
• Community events such as parades, races, ethnic festivals and local food events
• Religious events
• Home builds and renovations for veterans and others in need
• Animal shelter revitalization projects

Recipients of the donated dumpsters simply have to fill it up and adhere to proper use guidelines. Due to limited availability of dumpsters, particularly during peak times, anyone interested in requesting a dumpster donation is encouraged to complete the form along with specific dates and a detailed description of their project. To request a dumpster through a simple form here.

Charter School Buys Vacant Historic West Side Complex

Your Ohio Tax Return  

Can Make History!

It's easy to make a tax-deductible donation to Ohio History!  Look for "Ohio Historical Society" on your Ohio tax return and designate a dollar amount. Your tax-deductible donation goes to support history projects in local Ohio communities. In its first two years, the History Fund has created grants that help support local history and preservation-related projects all across Ohio. "Last year, Ohio taxpayers helped repair leaking roofs across the state, conserve rare Wright Brothers photos in Dayton and preserve Slavic heritage in Cleveland," says Andy Verhoff, History Fund grants manager.  To learn more about the program, click here.

Diversity Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

The National Trust is currently accepting applications for its Diversity Scholarship Program. Program participants will receive complimentary registration and lodging to attend the 2015 National Preservation Conference, to be held in Washington, DC in November. The Trust seeks emerging preservation professionals and community leaders new to the preservation field whose attendance at the conference, PastForward 2015, will strengthen their commitment to historic preservation and benefit their communities. The deadline to apply for a Diversity Program Scholarship is May 5, 2015. Click here for more information.

Murphy to Retire as Head of  

Oberlin Heritage Center

The Oberlin Heritage Center has announced the upcoming resignation of its executive director, Patricia Murphy. Murphy plans to step down at the end of August, after twenty-two years in the position. As the Oberlin Heritage Center's first professional director, Murphy led the way for a dramatic expansion of the 110-year old history organization, which now has some 700 members, a strong professional staff, a solid intern and volunteer team, an extensive program of tours, lectures, and educational opportunities, a collection of artifacts relating to Oberlin history, and a campus of historic buildings in the center of Oberlin. Under her leadership, the Oberlin Heritage Center achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, a status few small museums attain. She also provided leadership in institutional planning and heritage tourism. A national search for Murphy's successor will begin in April.

Where's Benedict?

Cleveland Heights Home Remodeling Fair on April 11

Home Repair Resource Center, the Cleveland Heights nonprofit, will offer its annual Home Remodeling Fair on Saturday, April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cleveland Heights City Hall, 40 Severance Circle. This free event will provide information on many home repair and remodeling tasks, especially "big ticket" projects where it is particularly important to make wise decisions. Residents of all communities are welcome. The fair will feature "Ask an Expert" advice tables, where professionals from many repair specialties will answer questions and give advice. In addition, representatives from local banks, community organizations, and the City of Cleveland Heights will be available to discuss how their services can help homeowners complete renovation projects. The Fair will also include several free workshops: "Electrical Systems in Older Homes: Risks, Myths, and When to Update," "Residential Storm Water Management: Landscaping Your Way to a Drier Basement," and "Bringing Your Home into the 21st Century: Pros & Cons of Smart Home Technology." Click here for more information about the Home Remodeling Fair.

Learn More About Ohio's World Heritage Opportunity

Created more than a millennium ago by indigenous people, the magnificent earthworks of the Hopewell Culture are a wonder of the world. Through the nomination process of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, these treasures are poised to join such cultural icons as the Statue of Liberty, the Acropolis, and Pyramids of Egypt, and the Taj Mahal on the World Heritage List. World Heritage Ohio and the Friends of the Ancient Ohio Earthworks invite you to learn more about this on Tuesday, April 14 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The event, "Ohio's World Heritage Opportunity: A Community Leadership Briefing", will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. It is free but an RSVP before April 7 is requested. RSVP to [email protected]. Donations to the nomination project are welcome. The host committee for the event includes Kathleen H. Crowther, Dr. William J. Hlavin, Suhas Kakde, Gary Meisner, Richard T. Prasse, Franny P. Taft, and Hope and Bob Taft. Photo courtesy of National Park Service. 

Building Doctor Coming to Hudson 

Hudson Heritage Association, the City of Hudson and the Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office will sponsor a Building Doctor Clinic for old-building owners on April 30 and May 1. The clinic begins with a free seminar on Thursday evening, April 30, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Barlow Community Center, 41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson. Open to all old-building owners in the area, the seminar will feature guidelines for renovation projects and ways to solve some of the most common problems of buildings dating from 1800 to 1955. On Friday, May 1, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., the Building Doctors will visit pre-1955 buildings within five miles of Hudson, advising owners on specific technical or design problems by appointment. The 'doctors' examine all kinds of older buildings. Some of the things that typically call for an on-site examination include persistent peeling paint or flaking plaster, a wet basement, deteriorating masonry and plans for remodeling, additions or demolitions. The seminar and on-site consultations are free with advance registration by April 23, 2015. To register, click here or call 800-499-2470.  

Summit on Innovation & Sustainable Growth in  

Ohio's Cities and Regions

The Greater Ohio Policy Center invites you to attend "Restoring Neighborhoods, Strengthening Economies: A Summit on Innovation & Sustainable Growth in Ohio's Cities & Regions". This conference will be held at the Westin Columbus June 9 - 10, 2015. It will bring together national experts, state policymakers and local leaders from all sectors to discuss new strategies for transforming Ohio's cities and regions and making Ohio economically competitive in the twenty-first century. As part of the Summit, Greater Ohio Policy Center is currently accepting award nominations for the first Greater Ohio Sustainable Development Awards. The Awards recognize public, private, and non-profit sector leaders who are working to create vibrant and sustainable communities and regions in Ohio. The deadline for award nominations is April 17. Click here for more information about the Summit.