And the Preservation Month Photo Contest Winner is…
We’re excited to announce the winner of this year’s Preservation Month Photo Contest! Congratulations go to Harrison Wicks for his image titled “Kent’s Historic Train Depot.” Here’s an excerpt from his entry about the building that served as the photographic inspiration for this year’s theme, Urban Renewal:
Kent’s historic Erie Depot boasts a long, storied history of community support since it was built in 1875. Under the direction of Kent’s namesake, Marvin Kent, townspeople showed their support by donating funds to build the train depot for The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad. The depot was left vacant in the late 1960s after a series of economic downturns. With demolition looming, the Kent Historical Society saved the then almost century-old structure. It was around this time in 1974 when the Kent Industrial District in downtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places, including the depot.
A decade later, the Historical Society found an investor who renovated the building, transforming it into the Pufferbelly Ltd. restaurant. After many years of success, the Pufferbelly Ltd. restaurant closed its doors and an opportunity arose for a new concept.
Now, 40 years after that renovation, the Kent Historical Society continues to maintain ownership of the depot and has leased the building to a partnership of local businessmen and investors to bring to life a culinary exploration of northern Italian fine dining.
Here’s Harrison’s image:
Today’s Treno Ristorante serves as a reminder that patience, persistence, creativity, and people who care, are critical ingredients in the recipe for a thriving downtown. Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry, and for our online voters who again crowned this year’s winner. Look for Harrison’s image gracing a future cover of Revitalize Ohio!
And the Preservation Month Photo Contest Winner is…
Update 5/16: With a total of 1,057 votes, by far our most votes ever, congratulations go to Carl E Feather, the winner of the 2016 Preservation Month Photo Contest! Carl’s entry, Night Train Approaching Ashtabula, garnered 464 votes. We’ll be seeing his winning image on a future cover of Revitalize Ohio. Congratulations also to Judith Khaner who won our Peoples’ Choice Award at the Old House Fair in Medina last weekend.
Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry for our 2016 Photo Contest, and to everyone who voted!
Carl E Feather, with his “Night Train Approaching Ashtabula” entry:
Old House Fair Q&A
Old House Fair Q&A: Everything you need to know about our second annual Old House Fair.
We’re excited to bring you the second annual Old House Fair, taking place on Saturday, May 7, in historic downtown Medina, Ohio. If you have questions about the Old House Fair then we’re here to provide the answers.
Where is the Old House Fair taking place?
The Old House Fair is happening right downtown, with sessions and events on Medina’s historic Square, and an additional track of sessions at the Medina County District Library. The library address is 210 South Broadway, and it’s located adjacent to the southeast corner of the Square.
What’s happening at the Old House Fair and where can I see the agenda?
Over the course of Saturday, beginning at 9:30 am with opening comments from Bernice Radle, we’ll have information and demonstration sessions, a variety old house vendors under the big tent, and a host of additional activities. You can view the full Old House Fair agenda here.
What else is happening?
We have a special reception for Bernice Radle on Friday, beginning at 6 pm, at Root Candles. Network with your fellow Old House Fairgoers, meet Bernice Radle, and check out Root’s wonderful candle selection. Tickets are just $25 per person, and each attendee receives a complimentary candle, and a 40% discount on any purchases at Root Candles! You can purchase your tickets here.
The Old House Fair Olympics are back and better, beginning at 1 pm. Here’s your chance to test your old house IQ and tool skills in a friendly competition with your fellow fairgoers. To the victors will go the coveted “Golden Hammer!”
New this year, we’ll have the Preservation Month Photo Contest Peoples’ Choice Cash Award. Our 2016 finalist images will be on display Saturday, and we’ll have in-person voting. You can vote by putting a dollar or two toward your favorite image, and the finalist image that receives the most votes (dollars) during voting wins their “votes.”
For the kids coming to the Old House Fair, we’ll have a mini-barn raising happening right on the Square beginning at 10 am. Paul Knoebel, a charter member of Friends of Ohio Barns, will direct the barn raising process. In the process, the children will learn about the traditional craft of timber framing, and how the barn fits together with large posts and beams, securing the frame with just wooden pegs. Children under 13 can attend the Old House Fair free of charge with a parent’s paid ticket to attend.
Finally, the Medina Town Hall & Engine House Museum located at 50 Public Square will be open 11 am-2 pm on Saturday. A great local history museum, stop in to learn more about the story of Medina and what makes this community unique.
How much are tickets and where do I purchase them?
Tickets are just $10 to attend and available for purchase here. Children under 13 can attend for free with a parent’s paid ticket.
Where do I park?
Medina has plenty of free parking around the Square. Check out this map with parking lots noted here.
What about restrooms?
Medina has a public restroom facility, including a family restroom, located on the northwest corner of the Square, which will be accessible during the Old House Fair.
What food options do we have around the Square?
Medina offers a veritable cornucopia of dining options ringing the Square, so grab a bite to eat at noon, and we’ll see you back for the afternoon sessions. Check out dining options here.
We love our sponsors and vendors and hope you do too!
The Old House Fair wouldn’t be possible without the support of our major Old House Fair sponsors, Benjamin Moore Paints and The Painted House & More, and the City of Medina, and our local partners Main Street Medina. And thanks to our vendors: Community Action Wayne/Medina, Medina Community Design Committee, Progress Through Preservation, Total Home Inspection Services, Ursuline College Historic Preservation Program, and Young Ohio Preservationists.
We hope we’ve answered your questions, but feel free to use the Comments below to ask your question and we’ll get you an answer. See you at the Old House Fair!
Join us for a pre-Old House Fair reception with Bernice on Friday, May 6!
This year we’re kicking off the Old House Fair festivities with a special reception with Bernice Radle on Friday evening, May 6, at Root Candles, beginning at 6:00pm. Tickets to attend are only $25 per person, and can be purchased here.
Our Preservation Month Photo Contest is open for entries!
Preservation Month is just around the corner…well, OK, still a few weeks off, but, our 7th Annual Preservation Month Photo Contest is now open for entries! We’re looking for great subject matter capturing the spirit of preservation & revitalization in our communities.
And while we’re hoping to capture the spirit of preservation & revitalization, this year we’re also co-opting the #iwanttoberecycled campaign (you can check out the campaign here). So, submit a picture of a great historic building in your community waiting to be recycled, or a photo of a building that has been recycled for a new use and given a new life. We preservationists know that the value of recycling isn’t limited to that plastic shampoo bottle or empty soda can, so let’s broaden the conversation.
When you get that perfect shot, submit it to us. We have a limit of one entry per person, so you have to send us your very best! You can enter here (we have the form at the bottom of the page) or post your entry on our Facebook wall using the hashtag #heritageohiophotocontest. You can also enter through Instagram, again using the hashtag #heritageohiophotocontest. Add the #iwanttoberecycled hashtag, too, and help broaden the conversation about the things we use that deserve to be recycled.
We’ll accept entries through Friday, April 29. Online voting for your favorite finalist begins Saturday, May 7, and closes at 5 PM on Friday, May 13. Our photo contest winner, bringing preservation fame and a featured spot on the cover of Revitalize Ohio, will be announced Monday, May 16.
New this year, when we name our finalists on Saturday, we’ll have in-person voting for a Peoples’ Choice Cash Award at the Old House Fair. The finalist image that receives the most votes (dollars) during voting at the Old House Fair gets to keep their “votes.” So, if you’re at the Old House Fair, check out the finalists and put a buck or two toward your favorite.
Some guidelines to remember: be creative and original with your photo composition…we love photo entries depicting historic buildings in use (or, for this year, historic buildings waiting to be in use); make sure your image highlights Ohio subject matter; and finally, use your best judgment as to whether or not you should get permission from the building owner before photographing your subject matter.
Our 2015 winner, Judith Khaner, captured the architectural beauty of The Arcade in Cleveland
Good luck!
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2016 Old House Fair
Plus, here is your chance to meet Bernice Radle from American Rehab on the DIY Network. She is also a preservation force in her hometown of Buffalo, and the inventor of heart-bombing!
WHEN: May, 7, 2016 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
But wait, there’s more! We’ll have a special Pre-Old House Fair Reception featuring Bernice on Friday, May 6, beginning at 6:00 PM at Root Candles. You can learn more and buy tickets for just $25 to attend here.
Putting the call out for Old House Fair vendors and sponsors
We’re excited about our upcoming second annual Old House Fair in Medina’s historic downtown on Saturday, May 7. We’ll have sessions geared toward owners of older buildings, and we’ll be bringing back the Old House Fair Olympics, giving attendees the opportunity to test their old house skills in a competitive (but friendly!) setting.
Bernice Radle will be our special guest. She recently starred in the latest season of American Rehab, airing on DIY Network, and brings an amazing energy and enthusiasm for preservation. We’re happy to have her join us!
Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available. We hope you plan to join us! You can learn more about sponsorship and vendor participation below.
Click here to learn more about the Old House Fair.
Click here for information about Title Sponsorship.
Click here for information about the full range of sponsor/vendor opportunities.
Call for demonstrators: 2016 Old House Fair
Heritage Ohio’s second Old House Fair will be held in May in historic downtown Medina, and we’re putting the call out now for demonstrators to submit session proposals. We’re looking for artisans interested in teaching and/or demonstrating on masonry, plaster, windows, stonework painting, energy efficiency, and controlling moisture, just to name a few ideas.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can review our Call for Demonstrators here, and contact Frank Quinn (614.258.6200 of fquinn@heritageohio.org) with any questions you have.