Register in April for May preservation month events

Carroll Drug once occupied the Hunan Coventry space at the corner of Coventry and Hampshire roads.

May is National Preservation Month and this year’s theme, chosen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is “New Age of Preservation: Embark, Inspire, Engage.”

The annual May event is observed by small towns and big cities across the country, and the 2014 theme, according to the National Trust, “is meant to excite current supporters and introduce new audiences” to the work being done to enrich and preserve what makes a community special.

In Cleveland Heights, the Cleveland Heights Landmark Commission, the Cleveland Heights Historical Society and the Heights Libraries partner to present the city’s preservation month. This year, five programs are designed to inform attendees about the history of this community and Greater Cleveland, and provide information on how to protect and preserve the architecture and homes that make the Heights special.

The events are free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required for all events.

Dugway Brook Walking Tour, Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. to noon, starting at the CH Community Center

Roy Larick (archaeologist), Korbi Roberts (local historian) and Jim Miller (photographer and videographer), will lead this tour through the east branch of Dugway Brook, where early settlers once quarried sandstone, milled timber and grew grapes for wine. Learn how Cumberland and Forest Hill parks began as spring-fed water cure destinations, and contemplate the future of Dugway Brook, a conservation-reliant urban stream. Registration for this event begins April 1; call 216-291-4878 to register.

Historic Preservation in Cleveland Heights: Why it's Important and How it's Done panel discussion, Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. at the Lee Road Library

The evening’s panelists—Ken Goldberg, librarian/art historian and president of Cleveland Heights Historical Society; Chuck Miller, architect and chair of Cleveland Heights Landmark Commission; and Marian Morton, professor of history and writer on Cleveland Heights history—will discuss the development, and gauge the success, of historic preservation efforts in Cleveland Heights. Attendees are invited to contribute ideas regarding appropriate guidelines and future directions for the community to consider. Registration begins April 23; register at www.heightslibrary.org or call 216-932-3600.

Millionaires Row presentation, Wednesday, May 14, 7 p.m., at the Lee Road Library

Dan Ruminski, a local historian, will share stories about the grand mansions and fascinating characters of Millionaires Row. At its height of grandeur, Millionaires Row in Cleveland stretched for four miles along Euclid Avenue, from Public Square. Approximately 250 mansions comprised what was once known as "the most beautiful street in America." Registration begins April 23; register at www.heightslibrary.org or call 216-932-3600.

Coventry Walking Tour, Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. to noon, starting at Coventry Village Library

Michael Rotman, executive director of the Cleveland Heights Historical Society, will lead this walking tour of the Coventry commercial district, enhanced by use of the Cleveland Historical app created by CSU. Learn how Coventry evolved from sleepy farmland into the diverse, high-energy neighborhood it is today, and hear stories about some of the hippies, motorcycle gangs, kosher butchers, and everyday people who have played a role in shaping the neighborhood's fascinating history. Registration begins April 23; register at www.heightslibrary.org or call 216-932-3600.

Fixing your Wood Windows, Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m. at the Lee Road Library

There are plenty of replacement windows, manufacturers, and deals on the market (“Buy three new windows, get one free!”), but what is the truth about window replacement vs. repair? If there were an ad for window repair, it might read, “Keep all your windows and repair them for 50 percent less than quality replacement windows!” Mary Ogle of the Cleveland Restoration Society leads this workshop, and will review window efficiency, window materials, appropriate architectural style and cost analysis of repair vs. replacement, and provide tips on how to tackle window restoration or replacement in older homes. Registration begins April 23; register at www.heightslibrary.org or call 216-932-3600.

Kara Hamley O'Donnell

Kara Hamley O'Donnell is the historic preservation planner in the Cleveland Heights Department of Planning and Development.

Read More on Heights History
Volume 7, Issue 4, Posted 9:01 AM, 04.01.2014