Preservation awards to be given out
Springboro’s Architectural Review Board has selected honorees for its annual awards program recognizing those helping to preserve the city’s heritage.
The board is a City Council-appointed board that protects Springboro’s historic landmarks and promotes local history education. The program was initiated in 2000 and coincides with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Month held annually in May.
The awards will be presented at the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Springboro Municipal Building, 320 W. Central Ave.
The Mayor’s Award for Preservation Leadership honors those providing leadership and service in support of historic preservation or supporting projects and activities that have substantially increased public understanding and awareness of historic preservation in the Springboro area.
The Springboro Area Historical Society is being recognized with a Mayor’s Award for its work in updating the Historical Museum at 110 S. Main St. in the Historic District. The update focused on improving how Springboro’s history is told through in-museum technological improvements that extend the museum’s message beyond its four walls. Additional updates include a capital campaign, improved lighting and the installation of new exhibits.
The Jonathan Wright Award for Historic Preservation honors those that have restored, rehabilitated or preserved an important building, site or artifact representing the area’s history or provided long term stewardship of such property.
Betty Bray and shoppe smitten are being jointly recognized with the Jonathan Wright Award for the transformation of 200 S. Main St. in the Historic District into smitten home. Beginning in 2020, Leslie and Todd Moss of shoppe smitten began work with property owner Betty Bray to transform the circa 1833 building’s storefront into a home furnishing store. Work included new signage, new exterior paint scheme, property clean-up and updates to the store interior, all respecting the historic aspects of the property.