The Historic Preservation Committee of the MVHS Board of Directors is pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Historic Preservation Awards.  These awards honor those in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties who take an active role in preserving historic buildings, sites, and districts.  The categories and winners are as follows:

Community Revitalization Awards

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Youngstown, Ohio

The construction of the church building began in 1908 and was completed in 1913.  The project included repairs and refinishing of the original exterior wood, brick, limestone, granite and terracotta to allow for the building to stand for another 100 years. The basilica has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Lewis House – Poland Preservation Society

In 1996 the Poland branch of Home Savings and Loan wanted to demolish a small vacant house on College Street. A concerned group of citizens worked together to save the 1860’s home, keeping it part of the historic fabric of the Village.  The citizens group formed the Poland Preservation Society and undertook a renovation of the home which included a new roof, replacement of exterior siding with historically accurate hardy board, and removal of a modern east side porch returning its doorway to a window for the dining room.  Interior work included new plumbing, upgraded wiring, a new furnace, plaster repair and painting.  Rental of the home paid off the construction project loan, and the Preservation Society continues periodic maintenance of the house.

Mark Peyko, one of the panel judges remarked: “The project was/is important because it illustrates how grass-roots concern and initiative can change an outcome. It also shows that preservation can be achieved through education and dialogue. Moving a powerful entity (with site control) from demolition to preservation is no small feat. The house is a small, but significant, example of successful grass-roots preservation.”

St. Patrick Church – Youngstown  Stained Glass Windows

Beginning in 2008 St. Patrick’s Church undertook an eight-year project to repair and restore the stained glass windows of the church building which was built in 1924. The project included all of the windows from the small one foot by three foot side windows to the large window over the front door which covers half of the façade.  The windows were removed and taken to Studio Arts & Glass in North Canton, Ohio for repair and re-leading. While the windows were out, all of the frames were re-painted and any rotted wood was replaced.  After the restored windows were re-set, new protective coverings with vents were installed to equalize the temperature between the storm windows and the glass, enhancing and lengthening the life of the windows.

Commercial Revitalization Award

Peter Allen Inn – Kinsman, Ohio

Built by Willis Smith, a significant architect in the Connecticut Western Reserve, the Peter Allen House was completed in 1821. The three year restoration project included leveling the building, replacing the sill-beam and re-laying the exposed foundation stones above ground.  The original 12 over 12 pane windows were restored; all fireplaces were rebuilt to current code; the interior and exterior woodwork was stripped of paint and refinished; and the interior plaster was removed to allow for re-wiring, installation of a geo thermal HVAC system, fire suppression system, and foam insulation. The sub roof was dry-rotted and was rebuilt and re-shingled using historically accurate slate-like material. The front façade of the home is the architectural prize, and care was taken to restore the wood trim and architectural details. All modern conveniences for the event space are located outside the original home’s footprint, and every effort was made to blend new spaces with the old.

Dr. Tom Leary, a Associate Professor of History at YSU and a member of the judging panel, remarked that this was an innovative and sensitive repurposing of a property that posed a number of significant restoration challenges.  It is also, in his opinion, one of the most important buildings in the Western Reserve, and probably the most significant project that has ever received a Historic Preservation award.

The winners will be honored at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s 142nd Annual Meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 20th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, 325 West Federal Street in downtown Youngstown.  The public is invited to attend the dinner, cost is $28 for MVHS members and $32 for guests.