Heritage Ohio

06/07/2026

At 181 years old, this remarkable building has been educating and inspiring generations since before the Civil War. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it began as a college, later served as an academy and high school, and helped shape the lives of individuals who went on to make significant contributions to American history.

As one of the few surviving multi story educational buildings from the pre Civil War era, it stands as a rare and important link to Ohio's educational heritage.

After sitting vacant for many years, the building was thoughtfully rehabilitated between 2011 and 2015 and given a new purpose as a residence and office space. Its restoration preserved an important piece of community history while ensuring that the building remains an active part of daily life. Rather than losing a landmark to neglect, the community chose reinvestment and stewardship.

In the 250 Buildings, 250 Stories initiative, a Celebrated building is one that demonstrates the power of preservation and reinvestment. These are buildings that have successfully completed a significant rehabilitation, found a new purpose, and continue contributing to their community. This building exemplifies that spirit, proving that historic structures can honor the past while serving present and future generations.

If you have a building in your community that you would like to celebrate please visit www.heritageohio.org and submit your building for the 250 Buildings 250 Stories initiative. We cannot wait to celebrate with you.

06/05/2026

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Joseph and Emma Smith Home in Kirtland underwent a remarkable rehabilitation and reconstruction completed in 2023. Through extensive historical research, archaeology, photogrammetry, and careful documentation, the project team restored the home to closely reflect its appearance during the 1830s while discreetly incorporating modern systems to ensure its long term preservation.

Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife Emma Smith lived in this home during one of the most important periods in the church's early history. While living here, Joseph translated the Book of Abraham, organized key church leadership groups, and welcomed visitors and church members from across the growing movement. Emma compiled the church's first hymnal and helped shape the daily life of the fledgling faith community. The home offers a rare and personal glimpse into the lives of two individuals whose influence continues to be felt around the world.

Today, the restored home serves as a historic house museum within the Historic Kirtland experience, welcoming visitors from across the nation and around the globe. It stands as an outstanding example of how preservation can protect an important piece of history while creating meaningful educational and economic benefits for the community.

06/03/2026

The Ohio Company Land Office may be a simple log building, but its impact on Ohio and the nation is extraordinary. Built in 1788, it is recognized as the oldest surviving building in Ohio and served as the headquarters for the Ohio Company of Associates, the organization responsible for guiding the settlement of the Northwest Territory.

From within these walls, leaders such as Rufus Putnam helped lay the foundation for Ohio's future by organizing land surveys, planning communities, and welcoming settlers to a new frontier. The decisions made here influenced how towns and cities would develop across the American West. Today, preserved at Campus Martius Museum, the Ohio Company Land Office stands as a Legacy 250 building not because of its size, but because of its significance. It is a tangible link to the earliest days of Ohio and a reminder that some of the most important chapters in history begin in the humblest of places.

Visit www.heritageohio.org to submit your building's story.

Marietta Main Street

06/02/2026

Registration is open but time is running short! Sign up for Dollars & Sense of Historic Real Estate Redevelopment in East Liverpool!

Perhaps you’ve been eyeing that old downtown building. You see the potential and the beauty in the historic architecture, but let’s talk reality: Can you rehab that building and rent it out without going broke in the process? Is your bank willing to loan you money? Will your local rent support y...

06/01/2026

The Castle is more than one of Marietta's most recognizable landmarks. It is a living connection to the people, architecture, and events that shaped the community. Built beginning in 1855 and designed by noted architect John M. Slocomb, this Gothic Revival masterpiece was the home of attorney and abolitionist Melvin C. Clarke, whose life was cut short during the Civil War.

Over the past 170 years, The Castle has witnessed generations of Marietta history while remaining one of the city's most treasured architectural icons. Today, as a museum, it continues to preserve and share the stories of the families, leaders, and events that helped define Ohio's first city.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Heritage Ohio is inviting you to help tell the stories of the buildings that make your community unique. Through the 250 Buildings, 250 Stories initiative, we are looking for historic buildings across Ohio that deserve to be recognized, celebrated, or reimagined for the future. Details on this initiative can be found at www.heritageohio.org

05/30/2026

We made it to Z! Thanks for playing along all through Preservation Month. We'll end with an amazing village tucked away in Tuscarawas County, hugging the Ohio & Erie Canal. If you haven't been there, you're missing out!

05/30/2026

The Alms & Doepke Building has been part of Cincinnati’s story for more than a century. Once the flagship store of one of the city’s most influential retailers, this landmark building was more than a place to shop. It was a gathering place, a destination, and a symbol of downtown Cincinnati’s energy and prosperity. Designed by renowned architects Samuel Hannaford and Edwin Proctor, the building stands as a testament to the craftsmanship, ambition, and civic pride that helped shape the Queen City.

As a Legacy 250 building, the Alms & Doepke Building represents the enduring connection between Cincinnati’s past and future. Generations of residents have memories tied to its halls, and its presence has remained a constant through decades of change. Today, as it is transformed into new housing through a thoughtful historic rehabilitation, the building continues its legacy of serving the community. Its story reminds us that historic buildings are not simply artifacts of the past. They are living assets that carry our shared history forward while helping create vibrant downtowns for future generations.

We would love to hear about a building in your community whose presence is a testament to your community's past and future. www.heritageohio.org

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05/29/2026

They may not be original to Ohio, they may not be especially historic, but you can stay in one in the Hocking Hills. Our A to Z has arrived on Y today, and I'm thinking of a ____?

05/29/2026

For nearly 185 years, this remarkable building has stood at the heart of Wadsworth's story. Built in 1841 from hand-hewn timber harvested on the property itself, St. Mark's Church has witnessed generations of community life, from early settlers and educators to Memorial Day traditions that continue today. The site is connected to some of the community's earliest chapters, including Wadsworth's first lending library, the Wadsworth Academy, and the founding families who helped shape the city.

More than just a historic structure, St. Mark's is a symbol of Wadsworth's identity. Its bell still rings each Memorial Day, its image remains an icon of the community, and its walls hold nearly two centuries of local memories. Thanks to the recent acquisition by the Wadsworth Area Historical Society, this treasured landmark will continue telling Wadsworth's story for generations to come.

Do you have a building in your town that plays an ongoing and important role in your community's story? Find out how to share that story with Heritage Ohio's 250 Buildings 250 Stories initiative at www.heritageohio.org