2010 Award Nominations Due

Nomination Forms are now being accepted for the 2010 Preservation Awards, presented by the Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland.  These awards will be given at the Celebration of Preservation, to be held Thursday, May 20 at the Hanna Theatre in Playhouse Square. Nomination forms are available online. This document opens in Microsoft Word. Please save it to your computer in order to fill it out and submit it.  The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m., March 1.  Contact Michael Fleenor for more information.

Sacred Landmarks Update

Over the years, CRS has developed a valuable working relationship with the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.  We are continuing to work with the Diocese to address the future of their closed and closing churches, as Most Rev. Richard G. Lennon, Bishop of the Diocese, implements the reconfiguration plan.  We call upon the entire Cleveland community to participate in the effort to find continued and adaptive-use for these buildings. 

Three of the churches originally slated to close under the Diocese's plan are:

St. Colman, Cleveland

St. Ignatius of Antioch, Cleveland

St. James, Lakewood

View CRS's response to the Diocese's March 15, 2009 church closing announcement.

UPDATE:  NEW RESOURCE COMING!

We are building our library of knowledge with case studies of adaptively used sacred landmark buildings.  This is a first step in what will eventually be a new online resource within this web site that will assist congregations dealing with these crucial issues in cities and towns throughout the country in these difficult economic times.

UPDATE:  TWO CHURCHES TO REMAIN OPEN

We are pleased that Bishop Lennon has reconsidered his initial decision for St. Colman and St. Ignatius of Antioch and both will remain open to serve their neighborhoods. However, both churches must also meet specific goals over the next several years to ensure their futures.

2009 Celebration of Preservation

Despite tough economic times, Northeastern Ohioans are using creative strategies and preservation incentives to bring new life to our local historic resources. Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland presented the annual Celebration of Preservation on Wednesday, May 6 at the Hanna Theater in Playhouse Square to highlight how important historic preservation is to our region.

See the Awards Presentation PowerPoint HERE (opens as PDF).

Thriving - not just Surviving!

As our world shifts and changes, the work of the Cleveland Restoration Society to use historic preservation to revitalize our diverse communities, strengthen the regional economy, and enhance the quality of life in northeastern Ohio, is more important than ever before. LEARN MORE

Assessing Cleveland Restoration Society’s
Home Improvement Program

Historic preservation investments are meant to save and protect a community’s architectural past. However, they may also come with financial benefits for today and the future. Loans to help homeowners rehabilitate
older houses may ultimately boost neighborhood property values. A new study by Cleveland State University’s Center for Housing Research & Policy has quantified gains in market value among homes participating in local historic preservation programs, as well as those nearby participating homes.

Read the Executive Summary.

Planned Giving
You don't have to be a millionaire to make a difference

Please consider including a provision for the Cleveland Restoration Society in your estate planning and become a member of the Elizabeth J. Parsson Society. LEARN MORE

Looking for a Distinctive Place to Meet?

The Sarah Benedict House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is a beautifully restored residence complete with fully landscaped garden. The house is available for many types of events, from business meetings to weddings and cocktail receptions to formal dinners. A central location in Cleveland's MidTown neighborhood and elegant, historic charm make the Sarah Benedict House ideal. LEARN MORE

The Cleveland Restoration Society is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.