Cleveland Restoration Society

Preserving Landmarks

Protecting Your History

What Can You Do?

If an historic building in your area is threatened with demolition, one of the first things you can do is research the property to determine if it has been designated a local landmark, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places or is part of a local or national historic district. You can contact the National Park Service or the Ohio Historic Preservation Office.

A building does not have to be a designated landmark to be considered worth saving; however, it may be easier to build the case for saving it if it is already designated.

Local communities can regulate and protect their historic properties through legal ordinance. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 encouraged local governments to establish local historic preservation ordinances and commissions to designate and monitor landmarks and districts. Each community can decide for itself what is historically significant, what is valuable to the community and what steps should be taken to protect landmarks. Each community’s ordinance will be slightly different, so it is important to carefully review the ordinance in your area.

The real protective power of historic preservation lies at the local level where property owners deal directly with municipal officials. A municipality can become a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the National Park Service Department of the Interior, through the State Historic Preservation Offices. These offices provide a link between federal and local government and monitor state laws authorized for local programs.

Get Involved in Preservation In Your Community

If you are trying to save an historic building, it is important to get organized, develop a simple message, and deliver that message in a clear and responsible way. Ranting and raving won’t save buildings. Here are suggestions on how to Get Organized.

The most effective way to preserve your history is to take a proactive approach. Join your local preservation organization and let your voice be heard. Support your local organization’s efforts to survey, landmark and protect important buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods. See our list of Local Preservation Organizations.

Become a Member of CRS

The Cleveland Restoration Society has been an integral partner in the saving and rehabilitation of countless historic buildings and neighborhoods and has set a national standard for innovative and effective local preservation programs.

CRS is one of the largest professionally staffed, private preservation organizations in the country and the premier preservation organization in Northeast Ohio.

Support CRS and become a member.