June Newsletter

June 26, 2023

As our 2022-2023 programming year comes to a close, we want to wish you a pleasant summer and look forward to seeing you again in September when our monthly meetings resume. Our program committee is already hard at work identifying speakers for 2023-2024, and we will have details to share later this summer. 

We hope many of you were able to attend our May members-only annual meeting, where we were pleased to recognize three projects in Hudson that reflect outstanding examples of historic preservation in our community. For more details on the projects and the individuals behind them, please read the story below.

Hudson Comprehensive Plan

As we write this, work continues on the City of Hudson’s update to its Comprehensive Plan. If you have not shared your thoughts about how Hudson should look in the future – and especially the importance of maintaining Hudson’s unique historic character – we urge you to take advantage of the various opportunities the city is providing to gain resident input. For details on ways to participate in this important project, visit www.hudson.oh.us/ComprehensivePlan. In particular, take the time to complete the electronic community survey that is posted on the site. Remember: the new plan will govern land use and major investments in Hudson for the next 10 years. Now is your opportunity to speak up and help shape the city’s future!

Welcome New Board Members

We are pleased to announce that five individuals will be joining the Hudson Heritage Association Board of Directors on July 1 to begin three-year terms:

• Patty Campbell
• Julie Ann Hancsak
• Karyl Morrison
• Russ Morrison
• Kari Morse

Officers for the coming year include:

• Nora Jacobs, co-president
• Diccon Ong, co-president
• Barb Van Blarcum, vice president
• Susan Newman, secretary
• Nicholas Kent, treasurer
• Kathy Russell, past co-president

HHA is an all-volunteer organization. Our programming, house research, website, community outreach and advocacy work all depend on our board members, who devote countless hours to the activities designed to preserve and protect historic Hudson. Thank you to all our board members – past and present – for your invaluable time and talent!

Enjoy your summer.

Kathy Russell & Diccon Ong

Co-Presidents

Hudson Heritage Association

HHA 2023 Preservation Awards

HHA had the honor of presenting Preservation Awards recognizing two unique and sensitive restorations completed in Hudson within the last five years at its general meeting in May. To be eligible for the award, a property must be at least 75 years old. Private residences, publicly owned buildings, non-profit organizations, and historic landscapes are eligible for recognition.

Consideration for awards includes appropriateness of the materials used on both the exterior and interior parts of the structure, including landscaping materials, and on the historical accuracy of any preservation or restorations made. Awards are given only if all criteria are met, and the work follows the United States Department of the Interior's Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures. 

This year’s recipients are:

The Henry Wehner House, 263 North Main Street

Owners Angela and Ryan Furmick modified the interior layout of their house to create a more open floor plan and a visual transformation of its interior to create a beautiful and functional living environment. The kitchen and bathrooms were completely updated, the third floor was converted to useable space and the turret room now functions as an office. During the project they were mindful to retain original baseboards, door casings, crown moldings and detailed millwork on the stair banisters.  The carriage house required significant work because of deteriorated conditions—new slabs were poured, and windows were replaced. New landscaping plantings were installed consistent with the Victorian-era home. Today, the house stands proudly as testament to good stewardship and good taste.

The Furmick family proudly displays the 2023 HHA Preservation Award.

The exterior of the home post renovation.

Kitchen:  Before and after.

The Wayside House, 252 North Main Street

This 1833 house was built by Benjamin Whedon for his adopted son John and stands as one of Hudson’s original Greek Revival Homes. The split fan light is a notable architectural feature along with its post and beam construction. Between 1833 and 1841 the right wing of the house served as the Hudson Post Office.

Stuart and Janet Hamilton with Preservation Awards chairman Shelley Sedlacek.

Owners Stuart and Janet Hamilton did most of the four-year restoration. They retained original wood floors where feasible, created new mouldings to match the originals, refinished and reglazed most windows, sistered the joists for structural reinforcement, and added a new foundation, interior framing, and a standing seam roof to the circa 1870 barn. The project stands as testament to historic preservation principals by conserving much of the original historical fabric of a property. Additionally, all bathrooms were renovated, the ceiling was vaulted to benefit from the light from the gable windows, the post and beam frame was exposed, and electrical upgrades were completed. The couple’s objective was to honor the authenticity of the home while making it practical and comfortable to live in for their retirement.

* * * * *

Preservation Award applications are judged by an impartial panel of individuals who have expertise in historic preservation. This year’s judges were architect Mark Gilles and historic preservation consultant and restoration specialist Michael Fleenor.

Mark Gilles is a 1976 graduate of Kent State University’s School of Architecture. His career in preservation has been extensive, including involvement in over 100 preservation and design projects ranging from structural stabilization projects to state and federal documentation as well as small museum strategic and master planning projects. He recently retired as the staff restoration architect and director of historic restoration for Stan Hywet. 

Michael Fleenor’s career in Cleveland began in 2000, serving at the Cleveland Restoration Society as a preservation projects manager on the Neighborhood Historic Preservation Program. Michael later served as the director of preservation programs and services for the Cleveland Restoration Society, overseeing National Register nominations, Sacred Landmarks Support Initiatives, managing the Heritage Home Program, and grant funding for community development in Northeast Ohio.

HHA 2023 Distinguished Contribution to Historic Preservation Award:  Allan Sveda, Architect

In 2019, HHA created a recognition for an individual who has made outstanding contributions through significant efforts in advocacy, community outreach, and education, has advanced and promoted awareness of Hudson’s history and heritage and furthered the cause of preservation. The nominee must have exhibited dedication and contributions which surpass the scope of their position in the community and whose creativity and expertise has supported the goals and mission of the Hudson Heritage Association.

This year’s recipient of the HHA Distinguished Contribution to Historic Preservation was Allan Sveda, an architect whose career spans almost 70 years. During this time, he has made notable and significant contributions to Hudson’s historical aesthetic and has worked to preserve historic buildings in our town. 

After graduating from Kent State University with a degree in Architecture in 1954, 

he served two years in the United States Air Force. After obtaining his license in architecture in 1958 he opened his practice in Firestone Park, Akron. In 1967, he moved to Hudson with his wife and their children. Subsequently, he built or designed more than 20 new houses in Hudson. In 1978, he began several commercial projects that involved the renovation of old historic buildings in Hudson including the Evaporator Works, Brewster Mansion, Hannaford Village Motors and the Sebastian Miller House on Main Street.

Between 1997-2019, he began purchasing and restoring houses in Hudson. His first restoration was the house at 48 Church Street. In total, he has worked on 11 houses located on Streetsboro, Elm, Church, College, and Ravenna streets. Four of his properties have been recognized with the HHA Historical Marker. Another two properties are currently being researched.

In 2018, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Summit County Historical Society.

Allan Sveda with close family and friends following the awards ceremony.

Congratulations, Hudson Garden Club

We hope many of you were able to tour the beautiful homes and gardens that were included in this year’s Hudson Home and Garden Tour. This year marked the tour’s 75^th year – an event that many consider the official start to summer in our community.  The club held its first tour in 1947, as way to raise money to help replace the trees Hudson lost to Dutch elm disease. Over the years, the club has continued to make tree planting in the city one of its major initiatives. HHA shares the garden club’s deep commitment to our city’s trees, and preserving green space remains an important priority for our organization. Congratulations, Hudson Garden Club, for a wonderful tour!

Hudson’s clock tower, decorated to celebrate the Garden Club’s 75^th Home & Garden Tour.

It's Time to Renew Your HHA Membership

We hope you recently received a letter from Hudson Heritage Association asking you to renew or join HHA. This annual appeal is our primary source of income and supports the work we do to provide programming, maintain our website, sponsor the historic home marker program, conduct advocacy work and raise awareness for the importance of preserving the historical character of the buildings, streetscape and architecture of Hudson. Please take a moment to return the form included with our letter, or visit https://hudsonheritage.org/membership/ to join or renew online. Your financial support of our mission and activities is greatly appreciated!

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