Hudson Heritage Association Announces 2023 Preservation Awards

As part of its ongoing program to recognize outstanding contributions to historic preservation in the City of Hudson, Hudson Heritage Association has recognized two unique restoration projects undertaken by Hudson homeowners by presenting them with its 2023 Preservation Awards. HHA also has named local architect Allan Sveda as the recipient of its 2023 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Hudson. The awards were announced at the association’s annual meeting of members, held May 11 at Western Reserve Academy.

Angela and Ryan Furmick received a Preservation Award for work done on their home, the Henry Wehner House at 263 North Main Street. The Furmicks 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. They completely updated the kitchen and bathrooms and converted the third floor to usable space. The turret room now functions as an office. During the project, the Furmicks were careful 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. Landscaping consistent with the Victorian era was installed.

Stuart and Janet Hamilton received a Preservation Award for work done on their home, Wayside House, 252 North Main Street. The Hamiltons did most of the work on the four-year restoration to their property, one of Hudson’s original Greek Revival homes, the right wing of which once served as the Hudson Post Office. The Hamiltons retained original wood floors when possible, created new mouldings to match the originals, refinished and reglazed most windows, sistered joists for structural reinforcement, and added a new foundation, interior framing and a standing-seam roof to the circa 1870 barn. They also renovated all the bathrooms in the house, vaulted the ceiling to benefit from the light provided by the gable windows, exposed post and beam framing and made a number of electrical upgrades.

Allan M. Sveda received a Distinguished Contributions to Hudson Award for restoring and renovating numerous Hudson properties over a period spanning more than 50 years, as well as his other efforts to promote awareness of Hudson’s history and heritage. A graduate of Kent State University with a degree in Architecture, Mr. Sveda and his family moved to Hudson in 1967. Beginning in 1978, he helped renovate some of Hudson’s most notable historical buildings including the Evaporator Works, the Brewster Mansion, Hannaford Village Motors and the Sebastian Miller House on East Main Street. Between 1997 and 2019, he renovated 11 homes in Hudson’s Historic District and nearby neighborhoods including homes on Streetsboro, Elm, Church, College and Ravenna Streets. In 2018, Mr. Sveda was recognized by the Summit County Historical Society with its Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded jointly with Akron-based Progress Through Preservation. Four of his properties have received historical markers from Hudson Heritage Association and two more are under research for future marker consideration.

HHA launched the Preservation Awards program in 2017. 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 interior and exterior 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 Interiors Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures.  For more information, visit https://hudsonheritage.org/events-news/hha-preservation-awards/