Webinar: An Exploration of the American Stained Glass Industry
Wednesday, May 22nd – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Explore the rich history of American stained glass and the niche industry that supports so much of our architectural art glass environment. Looking to the future of stained glass restoration, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Success hinges upon our willingness to embrace creativity, and our ability to draw insights from past endeavors and forge collaborative pathways with communities. Fortunately, our history is steeped in a tradition of collaboration, service, and ingenuity, providing a sturdy foundation upon which to build.
About Our Presenter
Megan McElfresh is a third-generation stained glass artisan who became Executive Director of the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA) in Fall of 2017. Her background in operations management and art history gives her unique qualifications as the leader for the National Trade Association as it celebrates its 120th anniversary of service to the industry. In her role with the SGAA, McElfresh is focused on sowing the seeds of long-term change and expanding the SGAA’s core programs. Her focus is on showcasing the Association as a hub for the industry through strong partnerships with manufacturers, preservation and stewardship groups, and education centers. By bringing together the nation’s foremost architectural art glass studios in technical skill and integrity, the Stained Glass Association’s cumulative knowledge can be combined for the benefit of all who are tasked with the care and investment of our nation’s living stained glass museum.
The Stained Glass Association of America, founded in 1903, is a 501(c)6 national professional trade association serving the architectural ornamental art glass industry across
North America and Internationally. In December 2017, the national headquarters office moved to Buffalo, NY. Coming up on its 120th anniversary, they are focused on strengthening their 501(c)3 Foundation, expanding their mission, and serving our nation’s emerging professionals.
The SGAA Foundation was founded in 2020 to promote public appreciation and knowledge of the stained glass and mosaic art form and champion the provenance of the material in architectural art. The mission of the Foundation is to foster proactive, responsible stewardship of our nation’s architectural art glass and mosaic treasures. Beauty must be abundant and accessible and we must collaborate with like-minded organizations to bring new voices into our industry while providing more resources to protect our nation’s stained glass heritage.
Become the Next Great Ohio Main Street Community
Do you love your downtown, and feel that it could benefit from being part of a national movement for revitalization? Are you interested in preserving your community history and supporting locally owned and operated businesses? Are you missing out on the economic impact of the heritage tourism economy in Ohio? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, maybe it’s time to consider the Ohio Main Street program.
Heritage Ohio, the State-wide coordinating agency under Main Street America, is looking to expand the program with five new Ohio Main Street communities. The Main Street approach, created in the late 1980s as a model for downtown revitalization, preservation, and economic development, is a nationally respected framework that is followed by over 2,000 communities that value their history and local economy. In Ohio, 52 historic communities are currently part of the Main Street program.
The path to becoming an Ohio Main Street Program begins with a Downtown Assessment Resource Team (DART) visit. Thanks to special funding, Heritage Ohio is currently able to scholarship up to 50% of the $5,000 cost of the DART visit and Main Street pipeline planning process for up to five Ohio communities. A DART is a two-day, deep dive workshop in a community, when Heritage Ohio staff conducts site visits, community visioning and input modeling, walking tours, and interviews with key community stakeholders to determine if there is capacity for a full Main Street program.
The initial application is due on May 10th.
Webinar: Using Statistics to Show Your Economic Impact
Wednesday, April 24th – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Monthly reporting and gathering statistics are two of the least exciting parts of any downtown managers’ job, but what if you could use those numbers to show the value of your work, and the economic impact your local program is generating for your community?
Lorna Swisher and Matt Wiederhold, two former Ohio Main Street directors, will walk you through the process of completing monthly reports, and then share a reinvestment template as a tool to support funding requests, illustrate the local and regional impact your program is generating, and help you document in black and white how your downtown development initiatives are a vibrant economic development machine for your community.
About Our Presenters
Lorna Swisher joined Heritage Ohio’s staff in October 2023, having previously served as the Director of Mainstreet Piqua for 26 years. With a background in broadcasting and public relations, she describes herself as a nonprofit ‘wonk’, emphasizing the importance of organizational infrastructure for effective operation. Lorna served on the Hotel/Library Legacy Alliance, which successfully restored the Fort Piqua Plaza in downtown Piqua. This $22 million project revitalized a deteriorating hotel into a vibrant community asset housing the Piqua Public Library, a banquet facility, and restaurants. Under her leadership, the Main Street program in Piqua received national accreditation from Main Street America/National Trust for Historic Preservation each year. In her current role as Assistant Director of Revitalization, Lorna supports Heritage Ohio’s Main Street programs.
Matt Wiederhold joined Heritage Ohio in May 2022 as its executive director. Matt began his career in historic preservation and community development in 2001, with an Urban Main Street Program in Uptown, Toledo, Ohio, as part of a pilot project with LISC and the National Main Street Center. In 2003, he accepted a position on the west side of Cleveland with the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, and guided the rehabilitation of numerous historic storefronts, recruited small businesses to fill the storefronts, and eventually became the project manager for the initial development of the Gordon Square Arts District, including the renovation of the Capitol Theatre. In 2008, Matt became the first executive director of Main Street Medina, and have spent most of the past 15 years working in that community, guiding the development of their historic district, and working to make Medina a notable, historic destination. Matt is a graduate of the University of Toledo with a degree in art history, having focused on American art and architecture, 1860-1940.
Webinar: Top Tips for National Register Nominations
Wednesday, March 27th – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
What is the National Register of Historic Places? This webinar will cover the basics of what the National Register of Historic Places program is, what being listed in the program does and does not mean, and what benefits may come with a listing. Additionally, this webinar will outline the process of nominating resources to the National Register of Historic Places and provide insight and tips to preparing a nomination.
This webinar is registered for 1.00 LU AIA credit.
About Our Presenter
Abby Marshall, Survey and National Register Manager for Inventory and Registration for the State Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio History Connection, holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Geography with a concentration in Travel and Tourism as well as a Master’s of Science degree in Historic Preservation – both from Ball State University. She began working at the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office in 2021 and currently serves on the Heritage Ohio Board as the Young Ohio Preservationist’s chair.
Webinar: Mansions of the Dead
Wednesday, October 18th – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Over 100 early community mausoleums still stand across Ohio. They represent the final resting place of thousands and were viewed with pride and disdain by consumers and community leaders. Ohio was ground zero for the community mausoleums movement that swept across the U.S. in the early decades of the 20th century. The state served as the epicenter for many of the companies, builders and architects who influenced the trend. However, the sustainability of community mausoleums is in peril resulting in their deterioration and destruction.
Inspired by his ancestors who constructed community mausoleums in Indiana, preservationist John Bry has been studying “mansions of the dead” for two decades. He will share the background behind these unique buildings and thoughts on how they can be saved.
About our presenter:
John Bry has 30 years of professional experience in Historic Preservation, community development and Heritage Tourism. He is a native of Auburn, Indiana where he began his interest in Historic Preservation at the age of 13. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Historic Preservation from Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) and Ball State University respectively.
He began his Main Street career in 1993 as an intern through the Governor’s Office in his home state being assigned to Indiana Main Street. John went on to serve as the Executive Director for local Main Street communities in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio for over a decade. He then worked as one of the co state coordinators for Pennsylvania under Bill Fontana for the eastern half of the Commonwealth. He was certified in Main Street in 2002 under the previous program. He diverted his career path for a time with opportunities to work with heritage tourism and community development organizations, but always brought the Main Street Approach to the forefront working with rural and urban communities as part of his role and work.
He has provided technical assistance and training to over 100 community representatives in 15 states in preservation and redevelopment with projects resulting in millions of in investment. He has successfully authored over $6 million dollars in grants for historic preservation, community development and Main Street efforts.
John returned to Main Street fully in 2016 and is now in his 7th year as the Main Street Program Coordinator for Oakland County, Michigan. Oakland County is home to the nation’s only countywide Main Street Program now in its 23rd year. The program serves 28 districts in 27 communities with populations ranging from 600 to 60,000. During John’s tenure, the program has grown to the largest number of participants, has the most private sector partners in its history, created an urban main initiative, and is exploring ways to evolve the Main Street Approach for advanced communities known as “Next Gen”.
Webinar: Tourism in Ohio: What’s Happening and Where are the Opportunities
Wednesday, September 13th – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Get an update on travel trends within the state and among our potential visitors. We’ll spend extra time talking about cultural and heritage tourism, including its importance, what these types of travelers are seeking and how to get their attention. Closing out the webinar, we’ll talk briefly about two opportunities for Ohio communities – America 250 Ohio being celebrated in 2026 and the potential of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks inscription to the World Heritage List in September.
About our presenter:
Melinda Huntley is the executive director of the Ohio Travel Association (OTA), a nonprofit organization that provides support for museums, attractions, visitor bureaus, retail shops, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses wanting to attract travelers. OTA advocates for smart policies that increase travel in Ohio, produces the state tourism conference, keeps the industry informed on market trends and news, and provides professional development. It also produces Heartland Travel Showcase, a 14-state regional meeting place for buying and selling group tours. With career experience in public relations at Cedar Point, running a CVB along Lake Erie and helping communities develop heritage and outdoor experiences through OSU’s Ohio Sea Grant College Program, she has a unique understanding of opportunities for businesses and communities of any size. She is a Commissioner for America 250 Ohio which will be celebrated in 2026 and serves on multiple national and statewide task forces and boards, including those focused on World Heritage designation, trail development, and educating our youth.
Webinar: Crowdfunding Vibrant Communities
Wednesday, September 27th – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Crowdfunding is the process of gathering a community to provide financial support for a project within a set period of time. Patronicity’s crowdfunding platform specializes in community-based projects that empower communities to transform and invest in themselves. Learn how crowdfunding can help your organization to fundraise, build publicity, and engage your community.
Patronicity will share crowdfunding best practices and some of their favorite community projects to inspire you, your organization, and your community. Attendees will receive access to Patronicity’s Crowdfunding Strategy Guide to help you build a community crowdfunding campaign.
About Patronicity
Patronicity uses crowdfunding as a catalyst for placemaking and community development, connecting granting organizations and patrons with hyper-local changemakers in order to build more vibrant communities. Patronicity’s vision is to empower changemakers to build healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities and revolutionize placemaking by democratizing funding. Learn more at www.Patronicity.com.
About our presenter:
Maddie Miller manages Patronicity’s digital marketing and communications. She is passionate about sharing the company’s purpose-driven mission to build vibrant communities. She has over five years’ experience leading digital marketing strategy for nonprofit arts organizations and design firms. Outside of her work at Patronicity, she is a visual artist, competitive disc golfer, and arts and active transportation advocate.
Webinar: Restoration Housing
Wednesday, July 19th – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Throughout the US, affordable housing is reaching crisis levels for many Americans. Yet vacant homes often sit for years without intervention and many are demolished to be redeveloped without a plan for their immediate redevelopment. What can be done about these issues?
Founded in 2014, Restoration Housing is a community-based, nonprofit developer focusing on the historic preservation of neglected architectural resources for the social benefit of low-income communities. At the core of everything Restoration Housing does is the belief that all people, regardless of circumstance, deserve to live in strong, healthy communities and dignified housing – the catalyst being the reinvestment in our historic built environment.
About our presenter:
Isabel Thornton is the Executive Director of Restoration Housing, which she founded in 2014 out of a passion for historic preservation and affordable housing. She received a BA in Architectural History from the University of Virginia and an MHP and MPL in Historic Preservation and Urban Planning from the University of Southern California.
She serves on the Real Estate Development Committee for Community Housing Partners and the Blue Ridge Interagency Council on Homelessness. She is also a board member for Carilion Medical Center.
Isabel lives on a farm in Botetourt County with her husband and four children.
Webinar: Facade Enhancement Programs
Wednesday, August 2nd – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join us for a discussion on downtown facade enhancement programs. The Façade Enhancement Program is a City of Tiffin reimbursement grant that was established in 2014 and provides a 50 percent match of funds for eligible exterior improvements on residential and commercial structures within the downtown historic district, up to $10,000.
Presenters
Aaron Montz, President & CEO of the Tiffin Seneca Economic Partnership (TSEP), will speak about the history of the program and how it was started in Downtown Tiffin.
Donna Gross, Downtown Tiffin Main Street Manager, will discuss her involvement with assisting building owners in the application process. She will share “before and after” photos of completed façades in the historic district.
Dan Brickner, City of Tiffin Zoning Inspector, will describe the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) approval and reimbursement process for the grant.
Webinar: Preparing a Successful Bid for State Capital Budget Dollars
Wednesday, August 23th – 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC), the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), and Heritage Ohio will host a webinar, “Preparing a Successful Bid for State Capital Budget Dollars” to assist local changemakers in understanding the capital budget process. GOPC’s Director of Strategic Engagement, Jason Warner, OFCC’s Grants Administrator, Jessica DeLong, and Heritage Ohio’s Executive Director Matt Wiederhold will provide communities with a “101 on the Capital Budget,” as well as case study examples of small communities utilizing capital budget dollars for thoughtfully-planned projects, including their planning steps and process to secure funds.
About Jason & Jessica:
Jason Warner
As the Director of Strategic Engagement for the Greater Ohio Policy Center, Jason brings over 20 years of experience working in and around Ohio state government to representing GOPC at the Ohio Statehouse, advocating for the issues and policy positions central to the organization’s mission, as well as overseeing the organization’s strategic communications operation.
Jason is a 2001 graduate of the University of Akron where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in American Political Science. He also holds a certificate in Applied Politics from the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron. A member of the Ohio Lobbying Association since 2016, Jason is a certified lobbyist, possessing in-depth knowledge of legislative, executive and regulatory procedures along with the rules, regulations and ethical standards to which all lobbyists must adhere in Ohio.
Jessica DeLong
Jessica DeLong, Grants Administrator for the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, has a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University and has served the State Ohio for the past 13 years.