A Brief History of The Cleveland Restoration Society

The foundation for the Society 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 timing seemed to be just right. Louis Willner of El Paso, Texas came to Cleveland on November 3, 1972 to make a presentation on that city’s efforts to restore its landmarks. The trio of Mrs. Levin, Mrs. Tabor, and Dr. Campbell decided to seize the opportunity to issue a “call to action” to the audience to preserve Cleveland’s landmarks, and invited all present to become charter members of a new organization, the Downtown Restoration Society.

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. As the group developed, it found itself in need of professional staff. In 1987, Kathleen Crowther was hired and remains today as Executive Director.

The Society, later renamed the Cleveland Restoration Society, was housed first in the Cleveland Plaza and later in the Statler Office Tower. Many of the 33 founding members remain active today, and over the years thousands more have joined the ranks as dues-paying members, representing the united historic preservation constituency in our region.

In 1997, Maxine Goodman Levin lead the effort to establish the Sarah Benedict House as a center for historic preservation in Cleveland and indeed, across the region. Along with her nephew Mort Levin, Maxine provided the building and matching donations, on a dollar for dollar basis, for the renovation and endowment to make the dream of a visible preservation headquarters a reality.

Since the Cleveland Restoration Society’s move into the magnificently restored Sarah Benedict House in 1999, the organization has grown significantly. The house has strengthened the identity of the Society and demonstrated its commitment to historic preservation projects in the urban center. The Society is now a partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and is recognized nationally as a key local organization in the American preservation movement.

CRS's most compelling achievements to date include:

• Leading efforts to preserve the Society for Savings Building, the Allen Theatre, the War Memorial Fountain, the Eastman Reading Garden and the Historic Gateway neighborhood.
• Working to facilitate community discussions on the Civic Vision 2000 and Beyond city master plan and the future of the historic Hulett Ore Unloaders in an effort to improve the livability of the city of Cleveland.
• Launching Cleveland's first Neighborhood Historic Preservation Program, one of the largest programs of its kind in the country. The program has assisted over 900 property owners with projects representing nearly $16 million in neighborhood investment.
• Becoming the first historic preservation organization in the country to utilize a housing receivership statute to save two historic homes that were under severe demolition threats and the first in Cleveland to develop a historic preservation easement.
• Developing a Sacred Landmarks Assistance Program, one of approximately ten in the country, to provide direct assistance to the stewards of Cleveland's magnificent historic religious buildings. To date, over 100 congregations have been assisted through the program.
• Establishing the Preservation Resource Center of Northeastern Ohio in the historic Sarah Benedict House in order to reach out to a wider regional audience and assist those outside the City that face similar preservation challenges, but have no local agency or organization to turn to for advice or assistance. To date, the Center has provided technical assistance to 245 groups or individuals and has met with more than 143 individuals and groups to market the program and to identify preservation opportunities and projects in our seven county region.
• Launching the Heritage Home Program in September 2001 to make available low-interest loans and technical assistance to homeowners in Cuyahoga County who want to preserve their homes by undertaking appropriate maintenance and repairs. Begun in the cities of Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and Lakewood, the program now serves fourteen cities in Cuyahoga County.
• As the official Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, CRS assisted in the planning and execution of the 2002 Historic Preservation Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio. Over 2,000 preservation professionals and community leaders attended over 100 education and field sessions during the five-day conference.

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