Heritage Ohio’s 2025 Preservation Month Photo Contest | Where Life Happens
Heritage Ohio’s annual Preservation Month Photo Contest returns this May with a new theme: Where Life Happens.
This year, we focus on how buildings and architectural details carry life forward—through use, memory, and presence. We welcome images of places that serve their communities now, have recently come back into use, or still wait for someone to step in. Each stage tells a different part of the preservation story.
The contest opens the first week of May and runs through the end of the month. Full entry details will be available at heritageohio.org and shared on our social media accounts: @heritageohio on Facebook and LinkedIn, and @ heritageohiomainstreet on Instagram. We’ll highlight select entries throughout the month and feature one winning image on the cover of the next issue of Revitalize Ohio.
Contribute a photo that helps document what preservation looks like in Ohio right now.
Dates to remember
Entries accepted: Thursday, May 1st – Saturday, May 31st
Winner announced: Friday, June 6th
Photo Submission Requirements
Image Quality: Ensure images are sharp, well-lit, and free of distractions. No collages.
Format: JPEG or PNG format.
Resolution and Size: At least 300 DPI with a minimum physical size of 1,000 PX x 1,000 PX.
Avoid Overly Edited or Manipulated Images: While minor adjustments are acceptable, avoid
excessive editing that could distort the image’s authenticity.
Copyright: No watermarks on photos.
2025 Preservation Month Photo Contest
Use this form to enter your image in our photo contest, and remember: one entry per person.
Heritage Ohio’s 2024 Preservation Month Photo Contest | Faces of Preservation: And the winner is…..
The votes have been tallied and it’s time to announce this year’s winner. Congratulations go out to Maria Dehne for her image Cincinnati Face Off!
Here is Maria’s statement about the image from her entry:
One of the many historic gems of Cincinnati, Ohio, is Cincinnati Union Terminal, a 91-year-old National Historic Landmark. Originally built as a passenger railroad terminal, and as a current treasured art deco city icon, it was recently restored back to its original 1933 condition. In a multi-‘face’ted process, one important aspect of the work included meticulously repairing the exterior ‘face’ of the building. Made of limestone, aluminum and other materials, preservationists made sure to use safe products and procedures to remove layers and years of grime to provide a ‘facelift’ to this cultural asset’s façade. At one time, the building was on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of one of the Most Endangered Historic Places and ‘faced’ doom, but today it continues to hold significant meaning to the nation’s heritage, transportation, architecture, and more. As I reflect on what this preserved building means to me, it was neat to have the chance to capture a reflection of downtown Cincinnati in my car mirror as the restored ‘face’ of the building was in front of me. My face lights up every time I look at this photo where I was able to capture a symbolic ‘face off’ of a beloved and memorable building, and the city that loves and saved her, all in one image!
Be sure to catch the winning image on the cover of a future issue of Revitalize Ohio. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and who voted for their favorite image.
Heritage Ohio’s 2024 Preservation Month Photo Contest | Vote for your favorite!
We’re in the thick of Preservation Month 2024 and it’s the moment we know you’ve been waiting for: time to vote for your favorite finalist image! But first we want to thank everyone who submitted an entry this year. Whittling our entries down to our four finalists was no easy task, and everyone who participated submitted great images. But, we have the best of the best, and now it’s your opportunity to vote. Take a look at the finalist images and their statements, exercise your voting power, and choose your favorite.
Please note: online voting will only be available through Wednesday, May 29, so don’t delay. Once the votes have been tallied, we’ll close out Preservation Month 2024 by announcing the winning image on Friday, May 31. Good luck to our finalists! You can access the voting page here.
Dates to remember
Online voting of finalists: Friday, May 24-Wednesday, May 29
Winner announced: Friday, May 31
Heritage Ohio’s 2024 Preservation Month Photo Contest | Faces of Preservation
Update May 18: The submission period has closed. Stay tuned to heritageohio.org as we open online voting on Friday, May 24.
As we post this, Preservation Month is just around the corner, and that means Heritage Ohio’s annual Preservation Month Photo Contest is too. This year’s theme is Faces of Preservation and we’re looking forward to seeing some great image submissions. But when we say “Faces of Preservation” what exactly do we mean? It could be the faces of the people who make preservation happen in your community, it could be the “face” of the building that has been part of the community, or it could be both. Whatever the case, capture that winning image and submit it to us by the entry deadline of Friday, May 17.
Once you get that perfect image and tell us a bit about it, submit your entry using our online submission form below. Our Preservation Committee and Board of Trustees will choose finalists from all of the entries we receive, and then we’ll open the contest to online voting. As in years past, your online votes will determine the winner, and the winning image will be featured on the cover of a future issue of Revitalize Ohio. Good luck!
Dates to remember
Entries accepted: Monday, April 29-Friday, May 17
Online voting of finalists: Friday, May 24-Wednesday, May 29
Winner announced: Friday, May 31
Heritage Ohio’s 2023 Preservation Month Photo Contest: And the winner is…..
The votes have been tallied and it’s time to announce this year’s winner. Congratulations go out to Brian Hiles for his photo of Elder High School in Cincinnati!
Be sure to catch the winning image on a future issue of Revitalize Ohio. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and who voted for their favorite image.
Heritage Ohio’s 2023 Preservation Month Photo Contest | The Story of Historic Preservation
Help us celebrate Preservation Month this May by participating in our annual Preservation Month Photo Contest. This year’s theme is “The Story of Historic Preservation” and we’ll be looking for your great images that capture what YOU think celebrates historic preservation. In tandem with your image, we want to hear the great story that goes with it. Whether it’s a story of a formerly endangered building that has been saved, a story of the people who built it, or a story of the people today who love it, we want to know why your subject material is important.
Once you get that perfect image and write the story behind it, submit your entry using our online submission form below (available beginning April 14). Our Preservation Committee and Board of Trustees will choose finalists from all of the entries we receive, and then we’ll open the contest to online voting. As in years past, your online votes will determine the winner! The winning image will be featured on the cover of a future issue of Revitalize Ohio. Good luck!
Dates to remember
Entries accepted: Friday, April 14-Friday, May 12
Online voting of finalists: Friday, May 19-Thursday, May 25
Winner announced: Friday, May 26
Matt Wiederhold Named Executive Director for Heritage Ohio
Matt Wiederhold
W. Kevin Pape, chairman of the Board of Trustees for Heritage Ohio, announced Matt Wiederhold will become the third executive director for Heritage Ohio, the state’s revitalization and preservation non-profit.
Matt Wiederhold has over 20 years of community development experience combining his interests in historic preservation, local history, and community building. He has served in positions in Cleveland, Toledo, and most recently served as the executive director of the successful Main Street Medina program. Wiederhold said, “I’m honored to have been selected as the next executive director for Heritage Ohio, an organization with which I’ve been involved since 2001. I’m deeply committed to the mission of the organization, and look forward to using my passion for historic preservation and community revitalization on a state-wide level.”
Wiederhold received his bachelor of arts degree in art history with a focus on American architecture and historic preservation from the University of Toledo. He received national Main Street Certification in 2004, and in 2006 he became an economic development finance professional.
Board Chair W. Kevin Pape states, “The search committee was impressed by Matt’s experience with combining his expertise in historic preservation, local history, and community building to transform neighborhoods and towns into desirable places to live, work, and play. It was clear to us that he had the energy and vision we were looking for in the engaged leader who will be Heritage Ohio’s next executive director.” Wiederhold will begin his role May 2, 2022.
Using the Standards for Rehabilitation to guide your project
Wednesday, December 8, 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation consist of 10 common-sense principles to guide and evaluate rehabilitation work done to historic resources. Whether you’re contemplating a future tax credit project or thinking about applying for a historic preservation grant, adhering to the rehab standards will be critical to receiving your final approvals. Join Mariangela Pfister, Department Head, Technical Preservation Services of the State Historic Preservation Office, as she provides a basic overview of the standards and how they are interpreted.
Presenter
Mariangela Pfister, department head and deputy state historic preservation officer for technical preservation services, heads the Technical Preservation Services Department which manages the Building Doctor program, answers questions about care of older buildings, and works with applicants for the Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit and the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit. She has developed a wood conservation presentation, has written articles on preservation topics, and continues to work on a series of fact sheets entitled “Fast Facts” on common old-building maintenance issues. Pfister holds a master’s degree in history from The Ohio State University and bachelor’s degrees in history, English, and secondary education from Capital University.
Preservation Month Photo Contest 2021: And the winner is…
Update 5/31: We’ve tallied the votes and we’re pleased to announce the winner of the 2021 Preservation Month Photo Contest:
Devin Brautigam of Sidney submitted this striking image of the Big Four Bridge, Sunrise Over Big Four, and the voters have voted. Congratulations, Devin!
We’ll feature Devin’s winning entry on the cover of a future issue of Revitalize Ohio.
Thanks to all of our photographers who submitted their images, our finalists who provided five stunning entries for us to choose from, everyone who voted, and our website chatters who talked up their favorites and supported our photographers.
Photographer’s statement:
Sunrise Over Big Four
The “Big Four Bridge” in Sidney, OH. Many call it the “Gateway into Shelby County”. The bridge was constructed in 1923-1924. Some folks lost their lives during the construction of this, which I believe, adds to the historical nature of the structure.
The bridge has been deteriorating over the last several years. While downtown Sidney has started alot of revitalization, improving it’s courthouse area, I really hope one way or another we can keep this bridge maintained before it’s too late. In the photo you can see the cracks and chucks of concrete that’s either been weathered away or have fallen. The condition of the bridge has been a popular topic among the community, many folks worrying about safety. As a hometown photographer of Sidney, this bridge has not only served a purpose for what it is, but it’s allowed me to really be creative and grow as an artist.
Sponsor a Heritage Ohio Annual Award!
For one week only we’re opening up sponsorship for our Annual Awards! Although our Annual Awards Ceremony typically happens during our Annual Conference, this year we’ve had to move our Annual Awards online. However, we have a great celebration planned! Beginning this month, we’ll highlight one of our award winners each day, providing our audience bite-sized peeks at this year’s best in revitalization and preservation. You can download the Annual Awards sponsorship form here.
If you want to sponsor one of our awards, you have to act now. We’ll only have sponsorship open for one week.
Thursday Happy Hour: Preservation Hackathon
Our final Happy Hour starts with a simple question: if given a real-life preservation problem, what would you do? We have a tongue-in-cheek title for Thursday’s Happy Hour as we delve into case studies that discuss common preservation issues and how they were solved.
We’re sharing these “story problems” with you ahead of time to give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the issues and think a bit about potential solutions, so you’re ready to share your answers when the Happy Hour begins. Maybe you’ve even come up with your own Preservation Hack you can share!
And, we’d be remiss to miss out on a special thank you! to our Happy Hour sponsor Plante Moran.
Question #1, courtesy of Kyle Sword of Pilkington NA:
Background: A developer wants to upgrade an existing historic building that is National Register-listed, using tax credit incentives. The building space, a former architect’s office, will be redone to accommodate a variety of uses. One special feature of the building is its bronze windows dating from 1926, glazed with 1/4″ plate glass. The windows currently aren’t especially energy efficient, and there are condensation issues, but hardly any corrosion.
Question: Should/can the developer replace the windows? If the windows are maintained, what can be done to improve energy efficiency and increase the comfort level? How would different options compare, and how would costs compare?
Question #2, courtesy of Erin Claussen of Toledo Revival:
Background: The local Board of Zoning Appeals has granted approval to allow off-premises rooftop signage for a building project. The revenue that will be generated from the signage is a critical piece of funding that will help pay for the building’s redevelopment.
While advertising has become viewed as a nuisance condition, in large part stemming from how much signage used to be everywhere in downtowns, there seems to be a resurgence around retro-style advertising, with more and more people perceiving unique signage as a sign of vibrancy.
Question: Is there such a thing as “creative signage” that truly fits in the downtown (and especially in local design review districts)? Where might we find the equilibrium between stories-high, characterless panels, and a very strict and regimented approach to new signage that might match historic color palettes but does not exactly add to the vibrancy of a district? What role should the potential revenue the signage could generate, play in the discussion about what should be approved and what shouldn’t be approved?
Question #3, courtesy of Danielle Steinhauser of CT Consultants:
Background: While the foundation of the Main Street Approach is built on the concept of preservation of the historic buildings located downtown, district stakeholders are also keenly aware of the importance of conveying vibrancy. Vibrancy is displayed through any number of activities, objects, and people, and might include the display of public art, helping to reinforce the idea that old attitudes of defeatism and apathy have been ousted, and downtown is now seen as fun, welcoming, successful, and unique.
Question: Is it “good preservation” to add a mural to the side of a previously unpainted brick building? The mural would not cover the entire elevation, but a portion of it.
Are there basic rules to keep in mind when debating the merits of economic revitalization and pure preservation, understanding that each case might have its own unique circumstances?
So there you have it: 3 questions to stoke your thinking-process about downtown revitalization and historic preservation. We look forward to hearing your take on these subjects at our Thursday Happy Hour.
The Pitch Party is back this Wednesday: Here’s what you need to know
If you attended last year’s conference, hopefully you joined us for our Keynote and Pitch Party, which closed the conference. If you enjoyed the Pitch Party, I have good news for you: thanks to the generosity of Happy Hour sponsor Ulmer, a law firm based in Cleveland, the Pitch Party is back for a second year. It happens during our Wednesday, 9/2 Happy Hour, beginning at 5pm. Find out more about what the Pitch Party is, and how you could enter for a chance to win (at least) $1,000 for your organization.
So, you want the chance to pitch to win? Anyone attending our Wednesday Happy Hour who represents a nonprofit organization can sign up to participate. Starting shortly after 5pm, we’ll drop the contest link in the chat box, and you can sign up using that link. Make sure you enter as soon as you can: the sign up link will only be active for about 15 minutes.
Then, we’ll draw 3 names at random, and the 3 names chosen will each get 3 minutes to pitch our Happy Hour attendees about their organization, what it does, and why they deserve the $1,000 grand prize.
Do you hope to be a pitcher? If so, think about your key points to share with attendees creatively in just 3 minutes. Then, if you’re chosen, you’ll have the opportunity to sell your good work, your need, and how our conference attendees can join your efforts to move your organization forward.
How will the winner be chosen? Beginning at 6 pm on Wednesday, we’ll open a special donation page on our website for 23 hours, through 5 pm on Thursday, September 3. You will have the opportunity to donate to one, two, or all three of the organizations highlighted during the Happy Hour. One dollar donated to the organization=one vote. The organization receiving the most votes (dollars) will receive the cash prize of $1,000, in addition to every dollar raised for that organization during the 23 hours.
We’ll announce the winner at the beginning of Thursday’s final conference Happy Hour.
Although the winner will receive the $1,000 cash prize, none of the 3 organizations will go home empty-handed, as the 2nd and 3rd place finishers will also get to keep every dollar raised for their respective organizations through the 23-hour voting period.
Good luck to all the prospective pitchers! We look forward to hearing from you on Wednesday.