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LANDMARKS HIRES FIELD REPRESENTATIVE

Amy H. Minnick, a native of Kent, Ohio, joined our staff in September 2009, in the capacity of Field Representative.  Her position is funded through a matching grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, awarded to Columbus Landmarks as a Local Partner of the National Trust.  The role of Field Representative entails providing information services, technical assistance, program review and input and assistance with emerging issues or threats. Amy holds a bachelor of arts degree in American Studies from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. She has held positions with The Western Reserve Historical Society of Cleveland, Ohio; The Smithosonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana; and most recently as the Assistant Director of the Historic Preservation Commisssion of South Bend & St. Joseph County, Indiana. In March 2009, Amy was honored with the Outstanding Woman in History Award, presented by the Schuyler Colfax Chapte (South Bend, Indiana) of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Welcome, Amy!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Becky West
Columbus Landmarks Foundation
bwest@columbuslandmarks.org
(614) 221-0227
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Celebrating the 25^th anniversary of recognizing and rewarding historic preservation and outstanding urban design, Columbus Landmarks Foundation has announced the five finalists for the James B. Recchie Design Award. The prestigious award, named in honor of the late Mr. Recchie, a founding trustee of Columbus Landmarks Foundation, is given annually to a building, parkland, public interior or landscape that has made a significant impact within the past five years. The award acknowledges the property owners and promotes the work of design professionals involved with the winning project.

The 2009 James B. Recchie Design Award finalists are:

The Buggyworks, Phase 1                              
448 W. Nationwide Blvd.  
Designers: WSA Studio and MSI  
Owner: Kyle Katz

Grange Insurance Audubon Center                
505 W. Whittier St. 
Designers: Design Group and Kinzelman Kline Gossman    
Owner: Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Huntington Park 
330 Huntington Park Lane
Designers: 360 Architecture and MSI
Owner: FranklinCounty

The Lincoln Theatre                                       
769 E. Long St.   
Designer: Hardlines Design Co.
Owner: City of Columbus 

The William Oxley Thompson Library Renovation and Expansion                        
1858 Neil Avenue Mall
Designers: Acock Associates Architects, LLC
and MSI
Owner: The Ohio State University

The winner will be chosen after site visits by a select group of highly qualified jurors and announced at the Annual Design & Preservation Awards reception and program on Thursday, October 8 at the recently restored Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad St.

The 2009 jurors are Joyce Barrett, Executive Director of Heritage Ohio; James Dalton, FAIA, Dean of the School of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University; and Nannette Maciejunes, Executive Director of the Columbus Museum of Art.

Among the past winners are a number of buildings that define Columbus, including North Bank Park and Pavilion (2007), the Ohio Judicial Center (2004), the Ohio State House (1999), the Topiary Garden in Deaf School Park (1995), the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (1987) and the Galbreath Pavilion at the Ohio Theatre (1985).

Nancy Recchie, awards committee member and sister of Mr. Recchie, said that the award was originally conceived to highlight the variety of quality urban design and continues to draw attention to restorations as well as new builds and additions to existing landmarks. Design Award criteria includes: responsiveness to human needs; creativity of design; sensitivity to surrounding area; quality of materials, craftsmanship, use of space, sense of scale; and emotional impact.

Additional design and preservation efforts by individuals, institutions and groups will be honored at the awards event, which will begin with a reception from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. followed by the program from &;00 – 8:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at www.columbuslandmarks.org or by calling Columbus Landmarks at 614-221-4508. 

A Tribute to Founding Trustees
Henry L. Hunker & Dixie Sayre Miller

Henry L. Hunker, Columbus Landmarks Foundation’s second president, was Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography and the School of Public Policy and Management at The Ohio State University. Henry authored many books and articles on Columbus and Ohio, including Columbus, Ohio - A Personal Geography. He imparted his wealth of knowledge about Ohio, especially during field trips around the region and within the city, with hundreds of students and others over the span of several decades. Henry served the Association of American Geographers (AAG) as Editor of "The East Lakes Geographer" from 1963-72.

“Henry Hunker’s courses on urban geography were expeditions into his personal and well-mapped research for scores of Columbus citizens, not just college students, and a bus trip narrated by Dr. Hunker was a much anticipated venture,” said Doreen Uhas Sauer, Columbus Landmarks Trustee.

Dixie Sayre Miller was active in historic preservation issues in Columbus before there was a Columbus Landmarks Foundation.  She was among those who actively protested the demolition of the Alfred Kelley Mansion on East Broad Street, a stately pre-Civil War era Greek Revival home that was ultimately dismantled, its pieces numbered and stored to be reconstructed one day (yet to happen). The Christopher Inn, a memorable circular hotel, was built in its place in the 1960s, but it too has been demolished and the site is a parking lot today, just east of the Franklin County Memorial Hall.

Dixie was one of the founding members of Columbus Landmarks Foundation and, to date, she is the organization's only person to have been named "Lifetime Member."  This distinction was bestowed upon her years ago for her magnanimous nature and abundant gifts.  Dixie not only faithfully supported the organization financially, but she played an active part in the organization as a volunteer, board member, honorary trustee and inspiration. She was a past recipient of the Outstanding Patron Award, and her recent bequest to Landmarks is a testament to her generosity.
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(614) 221-0227
MEDIA CONTACT:
Becky West
Columbus Landmarks Foundation
bwest@columbuslandmarks.org

Columbus Landmarks Foundation Announces 2009 Walking Tours

2009 Walking Tour Series to Celebrate Columbus “Villages”
COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 22, 2009) – Columbus Landmarks Foundation’s 2009 Walking Tour series kicks off May 3 and will feature more than two-dozen themed tours celebrating the many villages of Columbus. Most Columbus residents are familiar with German Village, Victorian Village, and Italian Village…but little-known villages including Hungarian Village, Old North Columbus, and Babyland are also part of Columbus’ architectural heritage. Join Columbus Landmarks Foundation this spring and discover which Columbus village has a buried Civil War town, which was originally a sheep farm, which village is filled with West African architecture, and much more. Led by experts in architecture and Columbus history, tour-goers will discover why it takes many villages to make a city 197 years old.
Tours begin May 3 and will continue through October. Tickets are $7 for Columbus Landmarks Foundation members and $15 for non-members, and tour space is limited. Tickets can be purchased by calling (614) 221-4508. For more information, please visit www.columbuslandmarks.org.
May – June 2009 Walking Tours Schedule:
 
May 3^rd - The Old Village of Columbus
What would the original village of Columbus, dating to 1812, have looked like? What is left of it? What is now in its place? You might be surprised—a walking tour that takes a little imagination, but you’ll never look at downtown Columbus the same way again. Tour begins at City Hall by Christopher Columbus Statue, 90 W. Broad St.
 
May 16^{th -} Village of Franklinton    
The grandmother of all the villages and the mother of Columbus, the settlement town of Franklinton, 1797, was greatly damaged by the Sandusky Interchange on West Broad, and yet, there are buildings which remain—including the oldest surviving building on its original site in FranklinCounty. Tour begins at Harrison House, 570 W. Broad St.
 
May 17^th - Village of Worthington, at the River    
Many people are familiar with the Village (now city) of Worthington—a crossroads of lovely shops and commercial activities dating from the early 19^th century when Ohio was just receiving statehood. Not as many people may be familiar with log cabins, 19^th century factories, the interlocking relationships between the beginnings of Columbus and the beginnings of Worthington, and the private side of architecture and history at the Olentangy River’s edge—in many ways, where Worthington was born. Tour begins at Worthington Historical Society, 50 W. New England Ave.
 
May 30^th - Village of Olde North Columbus   
The hidden village that is right before your eyes on North High Street, North Columbus was a separate and thriving town from when organized in the 1830s (platted 1842) until it was annexed into Columbus in the late 19^th century. Though street names had to change (there were already First, Second, Third, and Fourth streets in Columbus), surprisingly, many buildings and pockets of the neighborhood did not. Tour-goers also will learn where a Civil War camp was—and who was one of its famous commanders. Tour begins at North High School, 100 Arcadia Ave.
 
June 6^th - German Village    
As the largest privately-funded restored historic district in the United States, German Village is, of course, well known. We will explore the major architectural styles of the district and even hear from the “indigenous natives” whose families have lived in the “South Side” for the 120 years before it became known as German Village. Tour begins at Schiller Park Statue, 1069 Jaeger St.
 
June 7^th - “Irish” Village    
There really could be many Irish Villages in Columbus—but we will choose one of the most obvious places to talk about the Irish influence in Columbus from the 1840s-1870s, look at some interesting examples of commercial architecture in a heavily Irish-settled neighborhood, and perhaps, stop for a “wee pint.” Tour begins at St. Patrick's Church, 280 N. Grant Ave.
 
June 20^th - Italian Village     

Why does the neighborhood architecture behind one side of North High Street look so different from the neighborhood architecture on the other side? How did Italian Village come to have its distinct architecture—and was it influenced by Italians—since there seems to be Italianate influences? Developed early by a variety of ethnic groups, heavily influenced by its adjacent industrial neighbors, and held together by an active community, Italian Village’s interesting heritage will be revealed! Tour begins at Train Station Mural, 630 North High St. more walking tours »
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Landmarks Awarded Grant for Old North Columbus Commercial District

We are pleased to announce that the City of Columbus has assisted Columbus Landmarks Foundation and the University District Organization in receiving a grant  from the Certified Local Government matching grant program of the Ohio Historical Society/Ohio Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service to prepare a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination for the Old North Columbus Commercial District.  The historic district nomination will be based on the historical and architectural significance of the commercial district along North High Street between Hudson Avenue and Dodridge Street.  Twenty years ago, a preservation plan for North Columbus included a survey of the buildings in this district, documenting their significance in relationship to the development of the city and their architectural significance.  At that time it was suggested that the commercial area would qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.  This grant will allow the previous work to be updated and a nomination to be prepared.

If you have historic photographs of the businesses or district that we could make copies of as a part of this project, they would be very much appreciated.  In addition, old newspaper clippings, family histories, diaries, and other information that would help document Old North Columbus would be helpful. Pasquale Grado, of the University Community Business Association and the University District Organization, is the contact for this project.  If you have any questions, comments or materials to share, you can contact Pasquale Grado at 614-294-5113 or Pasquale@universitydistrict.org.  Columbus Landmarks Foundation is administering this grant, in partnership with the University District Organization. 

Each year, ten percent of the annual federal allocation to Ohio's historic preservation program [CFDA # 15.904] is passed through to local communities with certified historic preservation programs. The City of Columbus is one of 48 Certified Local Government communities in Ohio eligible to compete for grants from this program. These competitive awards come from the U. S. Department of the Interior's Historic Preservation Fund.  The Fund receives earmarked monies from royalties paid by oil companies for drilling rights on the continental shelf.  The Ohio Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio Historical Society administers these grants at the state level and the National Park Service is our partner at the federal level. 

Additional information about the National Register of Historic Places can be found on the National Register website: http://www.nps.gov/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm.

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Landmarks Awarded National Trust Grant
Columbus Landmarks Foundation has been awarded a $75,000 grant from The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Partners in the Field matching grant program. Landmarks  is one of 21 recipients of the second round of a $5 million multi-year grant program that strengthens the efforts of state and local preservation organizations across the country. Columbus Landmarks was eligible to apply for this grant because we were rerecently accepted as one of more than 100 Statewide and Local Partners of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. With these grant funds, Landmarks will be hiring a new staff person to administer a technical preservation services program, providing hands-on assistance to owners and tenants of the rich stock of historic resources in our neighborhoods and downtown.

Details are still in the works, however the "Partner in the Field" will likely conduct site visits, coordinate workshops, collaborate with organizations in Columbus already working with historic properties, and develop ways to share access to a national network of preservation expertise. Following on the heels of the good news from the National Trust, we received word that our request to The Columbus Foundation to help match the National Trust grant has also been awarded. The Columbus Foundation has awarded us $17,500, providing match for the first six months of the new staff position in 2009. We are grateful for both of these generous awards. However, we have much work ahead to raise the necessary matching funds for the remainder of the three-year period of the grant, before this position becomes a reality.
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Striving and Thriving -  Letter from the Director
Dear Landmarks' Members & Volunteers:
We have much good news to share, contrary to what headlines have to offer these days. With a balanced 2009 budget in hand, albeit with little wiggle room, we are diligently monitoring our expenses and have implemented cost-saving measures for more efficient operations, including consolidating our office space. Working with our Development Committee, we are diversifying our fundraising efforts, particularly through private foundation and government grant applications. We have several awards to announce. In addition to receiving three-year funding from the National Trust's Partners-in-the-Fieldprogram (see front page article),we were just notified that the Columbus Foundation has awarded our requestfor match for the 2009 segment of the National Trust grant. Not able to rest on our laurels, however, we must remain diligent in seeking additional matching funds from the private sector for years 2010 and 2011 - which must be in increments of $10,000 or more per donor. Please contact me if you are aware of individuals or businesses who may be potential donors. We have also been awarded grants by The Columbus Foundation, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and the Ohio Arts Council to fund our participation in national preservation leadership training, attendance at the national preservation conference, and the updating of our website to make it more efficient and user-friendly. In addition, we were recently accepted into the Capacity Building Initiative (a two-year program of a collaboration of funders, including United Way of Central Ohio, The Columbus Foundation, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, Franklin County, the Women's Fund, Grange Insurance and White Castle). As a participant, we have been provided with an organizational assessment and the professional assistance to undertake strategic planning, among other services. We will begin this planning process after members have voted on a new dynamic slate of trustees at our Annual Meeting.

Those of you connected to us by email have received two Advocacy Alerts - 1) the Gunning House, a 1940 Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired residence that is being threatened by commercial development and 2) the demolition of Lord and Brown Halls at Ohio State University. Thank you to those who took action. If you did not receive these alerts, please contact the office. Will a serious buyer please step forward? The Gunning House has had hundreds of lookers, but no buyer yet. Its potential demise has received local, statewide and national attention (see Cultural Landscapes Foundation's "Landslide" section), and inspired visits from representatives of the Tony Smith estate in New York City, including Smith's two daughters. Smith, now deceased, was one of the designers of the house and became an internationally recognized sculptor. Time is of the essence here. Regrettably, Ohio State University's Lord and Brown Halls are in the process of being demolished. However, positive steps appear to be in the making at OSU to help prevent such landmark losses in the future. I am looking forward to sharing our ramped up website, our exciting line-up of 2009 walking tours, our plans for bringing hands-on technical preservation services to the neighborhoods through the new Partners-in-the-Field staff person, our 10th Annual City Hop itinerary, a myriad of volunteer opportunities, and simply socializing with members and our trustees, both seasoned and new, at our Annual Meeting "on the block" April 2nd! Striving, not only to survive, but thrive,
Executive Director
Kathy Mast Kane
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A Tribute to Founding Trustee Paul Young

In Memoriam 3/5/1932 - 6/23/2008
Paul E.Young, Jr.,one of the signers of our Articles of Incorporation in July 1977, was one of Columbus Landmarks Foundation's first officers. Paul,  native Ohioan, graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor in Architecture degree in 1955. While practicing architecture in Columbus as a project architect with Tully and Hobbs, he served as an adjunct faculty member at OSU's School of Architecture. It was this taste of teaching that led to his decision to devote his career to it. After pursuing an advanced degree and teaching elsewhere, he returned to Columbus, having accepted a position at OSU in 1969. Paul was chairman of the Department of Architecture from1970 to 1978 and Professor at The OSU Knowlton School of Architecture until his retirement in 2002. Among Paul's many accomplishments, he was instrumental in coordinating the two-year effort that produced the quintessential architectural tome of Columbus Architecture: Columbus, published in 1976. He also inspired many students whose names you would recognize as leaders in the field today, who continue to promote the merits of historic preservation as a vital component of the design profession. We are thankful that Paul shared his quiet but effective leadership with Columbus Landmarks Foundation, nurturing the organization in its infancy, much like he did his many students. After his service on the Board, Paulmaintained his commitment to Landmarks through his faithful annual membership support, extending for over 30 years.

"Paul Young was the best advocate that historic preservation could have. He taught his students at OSU both the practical and aesthetic reasons why preservation made sense. He was generous with his time and always had a thoughtful and reasoned solution to complex problems. He will be missed for his fountain of knowledge and the ethical framework in which he always operated. Fortunately, he left an important legacy--all those who were so carefully mentored by him."- Jane McMaster, Librarian, OSU Architecture Library and Former Landmarks Trustee
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Becky West

Columbus Landmarks Foundation

bwest@columbuslandmarks.org

(614) 221-0227

 

Columbus Landmarks Foundation and Preservation Ohio

to host Financial Incentives for Historic Properties workshopon Sept. 15

for architects, realtors, attorneys, developers,

and owners of historic properties

COLUMBUS, Ohio (August 20, 2009) – Columbus Landmarks Foundation and Preservation Ohio will co-host a one-day workshop entitled Financial Incentives for Historic Properties on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 in Columbus at the Northwood & High Building, 2231 North High Street. The workshop will provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the wide range of financial incentives for development of traditional properties in Columbus and across Ohio. The workshop is geared toward professionals dealing with clients with historic properties, such as architects, realtors, and attorneys, as well as owners, long-term tenants and developers of historic properties seeking to understand the financial tools available that go hand-in-hand with historic designation. Attendees will have access to a network of experts in the field, representing the local, state and federal incentives available. The cost of the workshop is $50 and includes lunch. For architects, this course has been approved for 7.0 continuing education hours by AIA. For attorneys, the course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 4.50 total CLE hours instruction. For realtors, the course has been approved for 6.0 hours real estate continuing education. 

The workshop will cover a wide variety of available economic incentives for building preservation, including a discussion of the following:

• Working with local building officials on renovation projects
• Common design issues, including alternative building codes, Secretary of the interior Standards and ADA requirements
• Use of the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit, including successful examples
• Use of historic conservation easements for protection and financial benefit
• Use of the newly-revised Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit
• Clean Ohio funds and other state-sponsored financial incentives for preservation
• Working with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office on tax credit projects

Presenters and panel participants will include the following:

Advance registration for the workshop is required as spaces are limited. Register online at www.financialincentives.eventbrite.com or call Columbus Landmarks Foundation at (614)221-0227.

About Columbus Landmarks

Established in 1977, Columbus Landmarks is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating Columbus' architectural legacy. Columbus Landmarks encourages community action in historic preservation and quality design of the built environment throughout central Ohio. Our members are individuals who both cherish the past and embrace the future, and include a dynamic array of residents living in historic neighborhoods, architects, developers, land use planners, leaders in the government and business sectors, and investors. For more information please visit www.columbuslandmarks.org

About Preservation Ohio

Preservation Ohio is Ohio’s statewide historic preservation organization, and is presented by Ohio Preservation Alliance, Inc. We are an independent, non-profit organization recognized under Chapter 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, established to enhance the understanding and appreciation for Ohio’s historic resources, and serve as a focal point for Ohio organizations, municipalities, corporations and individuals who care about those resources and are concerned about preservation for future generations. For more information please visit www.preservationohio.org

 

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