To all- I normally make it a practice on lists I admin to NOT forward messages/announcements and such from non-list subscribers. I do review such requests on an individual basis and I'm making an exception in posting the following message as it directly pertains to MYERS research and historical preservation. If anyone wishes more information on this issue--please don't contact me--use the contact address in the notice. Thanks! Joan, admin MYERS-L@rootsweb.com PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY The Center Street Historic District Association Contact Christina Portz at 419-207-1668 Email at rcportz@zoominternet.net FOR MORE INFORMATION About Ashland Historic Preservation Board Contact Kathy Aldrich at 419-207-0660 About the Ashland County Historical Society Contact the Society at 419-289-3111 Historical Society Plans Demolition of Historical Home The Ashland County Historical Society plans to demolish a home on the National Register of Historic Places. This classic example of colonial revival architecture was built in 1892 by Alva N. Myers, a member of the board of the F.E. Myers and Bro. Company, whose daughter, Hazel Myers Sprang left a significant amount of money to the Cleveland Foundation upon her death. The house is located adjacent to the Ashland County Historical Society Campus on Center Street in the City of Ashland. In 1976 Alta Sims did research which led to the acceptance of Center Street on the National Register as a Historic District. Sims consulted with Jeff Darby, who was with the Ohio State Preservation Office. He called Center Street "A veritable textbook of architectural styles." The Historical Society feels that it is cost prohibitive to restore the home for exhibition, meeting, and storage space. Ashland's Ordinance 51-05 was enacted June 7, 2005 requiring home and business owners to submit proposals to alter the exterior of structures within the Center Street Historic District. The purpose of this legislation which created the Ashland Historic Preservation Board in part is to "safeguard the heritage of Ashland as represented by those buildings, districts, sites and structures which reflect significant elements of Ashland history." The Preservation Board reviews all proposals and sees demolition as a last resort but understands that the "Historic District is not a static environment, but an ever changing and developing entity. Applications for demolition are reviewed based on the overall impact the demolition will have to the Historic District and the community." The Center Street Historic District Association which is made up of home and business owners within the District has the purpose of educating the "public with respect to the necessity and advisability of the preservation of historic structures and areas of Center Street, Ashland, Ohio." The Ashland County Historical Society submitted a proposal for demolition on June 19, 2006 causing concern among all members of the Association, who feel the Historical Society has not exhausted every alternative. The Society has no formal plan or estimate for restoration. On August 2, 2006 The Ashland Historic Preservation Board denied the proposed demolition. The Society now has the prerogative to appeal the decision. The association seeks to inform the public of this situation with hope that the Historical Society would preserve or allow others the opportunity to preserve the National Registered Alva N. Myers House to its original grandeur.