Columbus, OH (May 14, 2024) – Preservation Ohio, the state’s original statewide historic preservation organization, has announced the official List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites for 2024.
Over thirty years ago, Ohio’s statewide preservation organization was looking for ways to increase the visibility of local historic sites at risk of loss. The goal was to promote reinvestment in Ohio’s past while also highlighting the ways in which that history was neglected, ignored, or undervalued. The first Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites list was published in 1993.
The list has proven to be a remarkable success over the last 31 years. Many sites across Ohio remain standing and part of the fabric of our cities, towns, rural areas, and landscapes because of the spotlight afforded properties like the John T. Wilson house in Adams County; the Westcott House (Frank Lloyd Wright’s only Prairie style commission in the state); the Historic Unionville Tavern on the Lake/Ashtabula County border; and the Athenaeum in downtown Columbus. True, several have been lost, but none without some degree of attention and focus.
This year, Preservation Ohio again received a record number of nominations for this important list. This confirms that the future of Ohio’s past is anything but a given. Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites is unique among such lists nationwide in that it highlights historic buildings and sites submitted from local citizens and advocates, each hoping to bring attention and to identify ways to give important historic properties a future. Out of the many properties nominated this year, Preservation Ohio’s board was tasked with choosing the most at risk. Fourteen properties representing all areas of Ohio are included in this years edition.
Since its inception in 1993, being named to the list has contributed to saving examples of Ohio’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage. Circumstances that contribute to the endangered status and result in sites being named to the list typically include one or more of the following factors: demolition threat, abandonment, neglectful owner, deterioration, obsolete use, lack of funding for repairs, location or development.
About Preservation Ohio – Preservation Ohio is Ohio’s oldest and original statewide historic preservation organization, an independent, non-profit organization recognized under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Preservation Ohio was established in 1982 to enhance the understanding of and appreciation for Ohio’s historic resources and to serve as a focal point for Ohio organizations, municipalities, corporations and individuals who care about these resources and are concerned about preservation for future generations. For more information and updates, visit our website at www.preserveohio.com, follow us on Twitter @PreservationOH, or like us on Facebook at @PreservaitonOHio. Preservation Ohio is celebrating its 42nd Anniversary this May.
More information on these properties can be found here.
