May is National Preservation Month

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is bringing back one of their most popular campaigns to celebrate National Preservation Month! Through This Place Matters, first launched in 2008, the Trust asked people to tell the stories about the places - large or small, nationally significant or personally priceless, historic or maybe just old - that played a role in their life. So this year, This Place Matters has been reinvented for a world where smartphones ring, social media's king, and selfie sticks are a thing. Here's how to participate:

• Download the revamped sign here.
• Then, either print the sign out or display it on your phone or tablet.
• Take a picture with it - your smiling mug included - in front of a place near and dear to your heart.
• Share it online with the hashtag #ThisPlaceMatters.

Support for Federal Historic Tax Credit

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, Preservation Action, and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition created a sign-on letter for businesses and organizations to demonstrate their support for the federal historic tax credit (HTC) during tax reform. This effort was spurred by the Senate Finance Committee's announcement in March that it would be gathering public comments on tax reform through April 15. The letter drew more than 600 signatures, representing all 50 states and demonstrating broad support for the HTC across many sectors, including Main Street revitalization organizations, developers, attorneys, accountants and preservation organizations. (and the Cleveland Restoration Society)! The letter, delivered to Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), shows that support for the historic tax credit is widespread and active. The historic tax credit will be reviewed by the Community Development working group co-chaired by Senators Heller and Bennet, with the working group submitting its report to the chairman this month.

Report Highlights Benefits of  

Arts & Culture Activities in our Communities

Public investment in arts and culture enriches our community and makes Cuyahoga County a great place to live, work and play. It enhances educational opportunities for lifelong learning, and supports our regional economy. As the public funder for arts and culture in Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture has invested $125 million in more than 300 organizations and made more than 1,200 grants since 2008. The Cleveland Restoration Society is proud to be one of Cuyahoga Arts &Culture's many partners. Since 2008, CRS has received more than $733,000 in general operating support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, and has been approved for two more years of funding. CRS is proud of the work that we do in Greater Cleveland's arts and culture community. We preserve, protect, and celebrate the artistic and cultural heritage of Northeast Ohio, as embodied in its built environment. Just as museums preserve works of visual arts and orchestras keep the classical repertoire alive, CRS preserves the architectural landmarks and neighborhoods that tell the stories of the people of Northeast Ohio. In April, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture released its 2014 Report to the Community. Click here to read the 2014 report and learn how dedicated public funding for arts and culture is positively impacting our communities!

Award Nomination Opportunities

The Ohio State Historic Preservation Office is seeking nominations for achievement in historic preservation. Nominations are due no later than June 1. You can access the nomination form here.

Heritage Ohio has also opened its annual award nominations in thirteen different categories. Nominate a person, group, or project to be honored at Heritage Ohio's conference in October. Nomination forms are due by Monday, June 15. You can learn more here.

Heritage Ohio Photo Contest

Don't miss your chance for photographic fame in Ohio's Preservation & Revitalization community as we celebrate Preservation Month. Submit your photo for Heritage Ohio's photo contest, "See Ohio's Treasures, Save Ohio's Treasures". Entries are due by May 29, and online voting will begin June 5. You can learn more and enter your image here.

Far West Design Review Committee Opportunity

The Cleveland Planning Commission is accepting nominations for members of the Far West Design Review Committee. The area served by the committee includes Kamm's Corners, Westown, Bellaire-Puritas, Cudell, Edgewater, and West Boulevard. Nominees should be architects or other recognized design professionals, or representatives of businesses or other organizations with operations on the far west side, or residents of the far west side. The committee meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 8:00 a.m., when eligible projects require review. Contact Tom Jordan for more information.

Explore Lorain County's Architecture

Warmer weather offers opportunities to get out and explore the architecture just a short drive away. Cuyahoga County's neighbor to the west offers these opportunities: The Amherst Historical Society's Quigley Museum, at the corner of Lake Street and Milan Avenue in Amherst, is open on Sundays from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. until the end of September. Learn more about Amherst history and enjoy a visit to the 1832 house that represents one of the earliest examples of hand-hewn sandstone architecture, once the home of quarry owner Joseph Quigley. The museum is free but donations are appreciated. Click here for more information. The Weltzheimer/Johnson House (shown above), 534 Morgan Street, Oberlin, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is open the first Sunday of each month from noon - 5:00 p.m. through November. Presentations about the architecture and history of the house begin on the hour. Admission is $5 (free for kids and college students). For more information, click here.

Employment Opportunities at CRS

The Cleveland Restoration Society is currently accepting applications for two positions, Membership & Technology Assistant and Heritage Home Program Service Assistant. The Membership & Technology Assistant is a full-time, permanent position responsible for maintaining the Raiser's Edge (RE) constituent database; serving as IT consultant for all technology matters; and acting as webmaster for the CRS websites. The Heritage Home Program Service Assistant is a temporary, full-time entry-level professional position. The successful applicant will be the first point of contact for Heritage Home Program clients on the phone and email; as well as assist with CRS special programming, events and presentations as needed. Click here for full details on each position. Please submit your resume, college and university transcripts and a writing sample by email to: Thomas A. Jorgensen , Chief Operating Officer, Cleveland Restoration Society, no later than May 15, 2015.

Where's Benedict?

Lakewood Historical Society's 6th Annual Scavenger Hunt

The Lakewood Historical Society is hosting its 6th annual scavenger hunt to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month. Preservation, combined with appropriate economic development, is key to maintaining the beauty of neighborhoods, retaining a high quality of life, and keeping communities vibrant. The scavenger hunt of twenty historic architectural features, all found throughout Lakewood, will run between May 10 and May 31, 2015. Detailed information and the downloadable entry form will be available at Rozi's Wine House and Lakewood Hardware, and also posted on the Lakewood Historical Society's web site, and the Lakewood Historical Society Facebook page, on May 10. Completed entries must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on May 31; return them to Rozi's Wine House at 14900 Detroit Avenue or Lakewood Hardware at 16608 Madison Avenue, or by e-mail to Preservation@LakewoodHistory.org Entries with all correct answers will be entered into a drawing. There are great odds to win first, second, and third place certificates from Lakewood businesses and organizations, including Cleveland Vegan, Mahall's Twenty Lanes, Blackbird Baking Company, and Breadsmith, among others. By continuing to link the community's past, present, and future through the preservation of the built environment, the historical society helps the community retain its sense of place as "Lakewood." Click here for additional information.

Take a Hike Tours are Back!

Beginning May 16 and continuing through September 16, Take a Hike Tours return to Cleveland! Take a Hike, presented by Dollar Bank, offers five, free, guided walking tours of five distinct neighborhoods in downtown Cleveland. Tours explore the Gateway District, Warehouse District, Civic Center, Playhouse Square neighborhood and Canal Basin Park in the Flats. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and features actors and actresses portraying historic figures from Cleveland's past. 17,815 people have enjoyed "taking a hike" during the last six seasons. Entertaining and educational, these tours offer visitors and residents alike the opportunity to learn about the history, culture and future plans of each tour area. Click here to learn more.

Public Meetings for Eastside Greenway

LAND studio invites you to imagine living close to a trail system that connects neighborhoods throughout the eastern portion of Cuyahoga County with employment centers, transit, services, parks and green spaces. Imagine walking or biking to school, work, the store, or a park. Imagine being able to bike from the Euclid Creek Reservation to the Shaker Median Trail, or from Rockefeller Park to the North Chagrin Reservation. Imagine the Eastside Greenway. The Eastside Greenway project team will be hosting a third round of public meetings. The final greenway plan, shaped by input from the first two rounds of public meetings, will be shared. The same content will be presented at each meeting. Meeting times and locations:

• Tuesday, May 12 - 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Warrensville Heights Public Library
• Wednesday, May 13 - 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Sterle's Country House
• Tuesday, May 19 - 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Collinwood Recreation Center
• Wednesday, May 20 - 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Bottlehouse Brewery

More information on the Eastside Greenway can be found here.

Heritage Ohio's First Old House Fair

For the first time, Heritage Ohio is partnering with Dayton Homearama and Tiny House Jamboree for Dayton Dwell: A Celebration of Home. If you are interested in driving down to Dayton the weekend of June 19 - 21, Heritage Ohio is holding its first Old House Fair at the historic Hook Estate. They'll have artisan demonstrations, a vendor showcase and marketplace, Old House Fair Olympics (Saturday, June 20), and more. Go to the Heritage Ohio website for more information and ticketing. They are currently seeking out artisans, vendors, and sponsors to help make the first Old House Fair a memorable event! Click here to learn more.

Competition to Support  

Shaker Historical Society

The Shaker Historical Society is looking for creative children of all ages to participate in a lemonade stand competition on the grounds of the Shaker Historical Museum on Sunday, June 21, from noon - 3:00 p.m. You can enter as a street, troop, family or individual. Prizes will be awarded for the best design, best tasting lemonade and most money raised for charity of your choice. You do not have to be a Shaker Heights resident to participate. Call 216-921-1201 to register or email rzeager@shakerhistory.org. Entry Deadline is May 30. The Lemonade Stand Competition is part of the Gracious Gardens of Shaker Heights weekend. Admission to the Fair is free and open to the public from noon - 5:00 p.m. The fair will feature something for everyone - from kids to grandparents -including local vendors and crafts, lawn games, a scavenger hunt, museum open house with a film showing the property when it was the private home of the Myers family ca.1920, and the museum's 1917 American La France fire truck. The Gracious Gardens of Shaker Heights weekend is a major fundraiser that supports the Shaker Historical Society's commitment to historic preservation, education and community engagement. To purchase tickets to the Twilight in the Garden Party or the Gracious Gardens Tour, call 216-921-1201 or go to shakerhistory.org.