Preserving Your Historic Home

Thinking of buying a historic home? Those of us who love old homes are often frowned upon by our more contemporary friends and family in that we want something old and beat up as opposed to that which is brand new and without need of constant repair. What can we say, the passion for historic homes is difficult to explain.

What is it about a historic home that makes it appealing; the architecture, the vintage hardware, or the knowing that someone before us lived in the home? Maybe it is all of the above. There is something about taking that which is old and bringing it back to life that gives us satisfaction. But such a task can be quite costly.

Some towns and cities realize the value of their historic homes and buildings, knowing it is an intricate part of their history, their culture and what makes their town unique to every other town. In researching this topic I discovered the Cleveland Restoration Society. Here is a wonderful example of an organization that supports preservation locally with knowledge and financial resources.
According to their website, “the foundation was laid in 1972, when Mrs. Maxine Goodman Levin, Professor Thomas Campbell, and Mrs. Olive Deany Tabor met to discuss their concerns about the rapid demolition of Cleveland’s historic buildings. They were alarmed at the then-proposed demolition of the Mechanics Block, a building constructed at Ontario and Prospect Avenues in 1832. A brick structure with a mansard roof, the Mechanics Block had seen its share of Cleveland history, including as part of the Underground Railroad. As time passed the property was abandoned, and by the early 1970s rumors were circulating about a threat of demolition.”
The Society started as an all-volunteer group primarily concerned with the loss of historic buildings in Cleveland's downtown. Over the years it became clear that historic resources of real quality existed in Cleveland neighborhoods and throughout the city.
The organization came up with a variety of programs to help with the maintenance, home improvement and preservation of Cleveland’s historic buildings. One such program is the Neighborhood Historic Preservation Program, which provides free technical assistance in helping others preserve their home and they even assist others with low interest home equity loans. To qualify, your home must be at least 50 years old and must retain most of its exterior historic architectural features. The organization’s Heritage Home Program utilizes an interesting program called Link Deposit Loan Program. The Link Deposit Fund is a pool of capital created and reserved to buy down or lower the rate charged by a private lending institution. When the loan is repaid, the link (or compensating balance) monies are returned to the fund to be reused for similar activities.” You can read more about the program at http://www.clevelandrestoration.org.

Maybe your town is also full of historic homes and buildings that are on the way to decay? If so, there is something you can do to help, short of buying them all up for yourself and saving them. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a great resource for types of programs you can institute in your community. You can also contact your local State Historic Preservation Office. I have personally seen the benefits of these two institutions in my small town – all it takes is somebody to take the lead.