Last night I had the privilege to speak at a gathering in Greenhills, Ohio, which is a small community with BIG HISTORY north of Cincinnati, just inside the 275 beltway.
Greenhills was established by an act of congress in 1935 as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal vision and is a “planned’ community conceived in response to depression era living conditions of the ‘working class.’ Urban planning and architecture masters were retained to build ideal districts with affordable housing designed to support better community life.
Greenhills (NR 1989) is the most intact of the existing communities (Greenbelt, Maryland and Greendale, Wisconsin are the other two). Built around a village green, the town has a shopping center, school, park, swimming pool, etc. at its core and there are a series of connecting paths and green spaces.
Unfortunately, the modernist architecture found in the apartments, multifamily and single family units is under-appreciated and threatened with demolition.
The other speakers last night: Jennifer Sandy, National Trust for Historic Preservation- Midwest office; Patrick Snadon of the University of Cincinnati; and Glenn Harper of the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. In front of an audience of about 75 people we shared how this special place could be utilizing resources to maintain its unique history. Heritage Ohio was there to share information on both the Main Street Approach as well as the incentives available through historic tax credits.
The village council is hard-working and committed to their community but they have perhaps become accustomed to what is in their own backyard and they simply do not realize the national significance of what is being destroyed. I hope the locals — and maybe you — can help them realize they have a community that is not only desirable but is also a downright fascinating and important part of America’s history.
Fans and aficionados of modern architecture and utopian urban planning get yourselves to Greenhills before anymore is gone.
You will find the Greenhills Historical Society knowledgeable and anxious to share their story with you
Open ears and minds were open to what was said at the presentations. Jane Berry, city manager was in attendance along with two councilmen from our Village administration. Wish I could tell you all the stories about Greenhills since I’ve been a young person from a neighboring farm and a resident since 1948. I love Greenhills, as you can see, and hope all the voices would agree with you that have been working hard to convince our Village government to listen to us. Fran.
Thank you for caring for our wonderful little village. I will never understand why Moore/Berry and the Council want to destroy and bankrupt our town. Our history is the only thing that will save Greenhills.
Greenhills will always be special to me. Don and I grew up there, went through school there, in that big white building at the head of the commons. He wore the uniform and played for all the teams. Altogether, we lived in the village for 47 years. We had three daughters and two of them graduated from the Greenhills High School (not Winton Woods) and one of those daughters was married in the Greenhills Presbyterian Church, thirty-one years ago. My family and I will forever be tied to Greenhills.
Ms. Barrett,
I was one of the privledged citizens that witnessed your inspiring presentation in Greenhills last Monday evening. We have been a wounded community for years since our first historic fibers were demolished in 2003. The image I equate with the bulldozers and reckless “redevelopment” is like watching a madman break into a worldclass museum. The thug takes a sharp putty knife and gouges into the face of the Mona Lisa. After scraping the canvas to clear original paint from half of the face, he does a “redevelopment”. Unfortunately, the gift of art escapes the thug, he can only use Crayolas to “paint-by-number”. Alas, the masterpiece is gone, but the curator (Council)tries to pass off the damaged piece as a priceless work of art. NOT!
Jennifer Sandy, Patrick Snadon, Glenn Harper were absolutely OUTSTANDING in defending our historic Village. Your collective enthusiasm, warnings, and knowledge are priceless. We remain humbly in your debt with deepest appreciation for your efforts.
Paid for by RESTORING LIBERTY in Greenhills, Treasurer, Pat Andwan, 32 Chalmers Ln., Greenhills, OH 45218
Greenhills was placed on the 2009 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites recently. For details, please visit the online listing at:
http://www.preservationohio.org/preservation-ohio-programs/ohios-most-endangered/2009-ohios-most-endangered/greenhills-historic-district/
Thanks!
I live in one of the historic townhomes in Greenhills and absolutely love our home. That being said, how many of those devoted to preserving our endangered homes actually live in them? We had to put a bathroom on the 1st floor, increase the size of the kitchen and still live with a lack of personal space. Dave Moore and Jane Berry as well as the Village Council understand that people want certain amenities in their homes and these townhomes do not offer them. Some owners neglected their upkeep and their unsightly homes are not worth preserving. Not all of the homes were built utilizing the same materials which makes them less valuable. Honestly, the real value to Greenhills is the way in which people worked together to build a community which outsiders are bent on destroying.My grandson is 5th generation Greenhillian and loves the field behind our house, the sidewalks, the swimming pool and the shelterhouse. Let’s work on preserving those things, along with community schools for his kids and quit petty bickering about standing in place instead of embracing a future with a Greenhills worth living in.