Heritage Home Association recognizes Heroes of Preservation
May 18, 2016
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The National Trust for Historic Preservation endeavors to recognize, save and celebrate historic places all over the USA. Local groups in Tuscarawas County are doing their part to enrich and preserve the places that make their communities special.
Recently members and friends of the Heritage Home Association of Tuscarawas County hosted a special meeting at Dennison Railroad Depot Museum for the purpose of recognizing what they have dubbed Heroes of Preservation.
A nonprofit founded in 1976, private membership and a little help from its friends support the Heritage Home Association of Tuscarawas County. The association is dedicated to the preservation and documentation of the architecturally and historically significant homes and other structures of Tuscarawas County. The association endeavors to cultivate appreciation of this part of the local heritage and to develop awareness of and encourage interest in preserving historic structures within the community and to educate those who are interested in preservation or are actively involved in the restoration of historically significant structures.
Recently Heritage Home Association President Tom Strickling of New Philadelphia presented Heroes of Preservation awards to Matt and Ryan Immel. The brothers renovated a house at 514 N. Wooster Ave. in Dover.
An award was presented to Bob Michaels and Randy Seiber on behalf of the Dennison Rotary, which rescued and restored the duplex at 21-23 South Third St. in Dennison. This historic building was slated for demolition when Dennison Rotary entered the picture. Realizing the duplex was one of only 10 built by the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad around 1870 to house its workers, they knew it was an important piece of local history. The houses became known as Company Row, and three of the 10 have since been torn down.
New Philadelphia Principal John Zucal, Superintendent David Brand, and board of education members David Brand and Chris Weaver accepted the award for New Philadelphias Central Elementary School, which benefited from the generosity of the Reeves Foundation. The foundation supported the restoration of the portico and columns on the front of the building in July 2015. The school was built in 1941. It is believed the sycamore tree behind the school was planted that same year, making it 75 years old as well.
Best known are the Heritage Home Plaques, 20th Century Heritage Home Plaques and Historic Markers presented by the association, which adorn more than 70 of Tuscarawas Countys architecturally and historically significant homes and buildings. Unlike those plaques, which require a detailed application from the property owner, a Heroes of Preservation award cannot be applied for. Its just one way of saying thank you for helping to maintain the historic character of the county. Since inception in 2013, 23 Heroes of Preservation have been recognized.
