Advocacy
Since its inception, Columbus Landmarks has been committed to the preservation of Columbus' historic and architectural heritage.
Landmarks has tracked many threatened historic buildings and properties in Columbus, and has provided a forum for numerous discussions about the future of our city's architectural legacy. Most recently, Landmarks served as an integral participant in the saving of our city's neighborhood schools. By partnering with the Columbus Public Schools, providing technical assistance, and helping to assess the architectural integrity and relative importance of each of the 56 historic schools, Landmarks helped save 32 historic schools -- an astounding achievement by any standard, unparalleled in Ohio and beyond.
Landmarks' role as a leader in local advocacy issues is deeply rooted in the community. In 1977, demolition of the Union Station train depot-designed by Daniel Burnham, one of the most important architects in the United States in the late 18th- and early 19th centuries-crystallized local efforts into what is today a thriving historic preservation organization.
Centenary Church Lost to Demolition
Centenary United Methodist Church at 928 E. Long Street was recently demolished. The brick building with Gothic details and crenelated square tower was African American designed and constructed in 1927-1928 as the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. It last served as a church in 2003 when the congregation relocated to 2048 Denune Avenue. The 8,700 square foot building was acquired by Second Baptist Church once vacated by the congregation and has been vacant ever since. More
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Oldest Log Building Receives City Support
The David Deardurff House in Franklinton is an historically and architecturally significant 1807 log building – the oldest log building standing on its original foundation in FranklinCounty - and a former post office. Columbus Landmarks Foundation’s Advocacy Committee, a cause championed by volunteers Jim Beier, Mike Peppe and John York, has worked with the neighborhood, the owner, and the City for over thirty years toward the stabilization and preservation of this historic resource. The city’s involvement has included the support of Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Council, City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer’s office, Boyce Safford’s Columbus Department of Development, and tireless efforts on behalf of Randy Black and the Columbus Historic Preservation Office. We are proud to announce recent new developments regarding the preservation of this rare early 19th century remnant of central Ohio’s heritage. The City of Columbus recently passed legislation that appropriated $125,000 toward the project and approved a preservation easement agreement. More
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Elam Drake Farm: Sowing the Seeds of a Farm's Future...
Examples of the creative thinking needed to successfully weave historic buildings and modern uses abound in Columbus, and there is one such project currently in the works of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation’s Advocacy Committee, chaired by Charissa W. Durst. The site is the Elam Drake Farm. more
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Historic 1940 Gunning House
Action is needed to preserve the 1940 Gunning House, a rare example of Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced architecture located in east Columbus. Seller is considering an offer from a developer interested in demolition and redevelopment as commercial site. more »
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The following list highlights some of the issues that Landmarks members and volunteers have been or are currently working on:
Green Lawn Abbey
OSU - Lord Hall and Brown Hall
Elam Drake Farm
East Broad Street Initiative
Firestone Mansion
Greek Orthodox Church
Neighborhood Conservation District Legislation
East Side Transit Center
Columbus Historic Schools
Fort Hayes Metropolitan School Project
Columbus Historic Fire Stations
Deardurff House
Broad & High Street Buildings
Council of Historic Neighborhoods
Columbus Quarterly Preservation Meetings
Columbus Historic Resources Commission Meetings
Downtown Architectural Survey
Union Station Arch
Clintonville Theater