Hudson Library Archivist Gwen Mayer -Hudson’s Lost Historic Buildings

Hudson Heritage Association will begin 2015 with three programs focused on Hudson’s architectural legacy, the first of which will be Hudson’s lost historic buildings.

On Thursday, January 8, Hudson Library Archivist Gwen Mayer will speak about some of the city’s historic buildings that have been lost to demolition, redevelopment, neglect and fire.

“Not every vanished old building from the past could have been saved or even necessarily should have been saved,” said Mayer, “however, by thinking about the great landmarks of our town’s past, we can better reflect on what might be built in the future and which of today’s historic treasures should be preserved.”

Ms. Mayer’s presentation will include a look several sites around town, including the Evamere estate, once home to the James Ellsworth family. Ellsworth was one of Hudson’s most noted benefactors. Once home to a large working farm and Evamere Hall, the only structure remaining today at Evamere is the estate’s gate house, located on Aurora Street. Among other sites, Ms. Mayer will also discuss the loss of Hudson’s primary retail block, stretching south on Main Street from Clinton Street. In 1892, the entire block was destroyed by fire; the structures there were subsequently rebuilt in brick and still serve as office space and stores. Ms. Mayer’s presentation will include numerous historic photographs, taken from the library’s archives.

All of the Hudson Heritage meetings are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings take place at Barlow Community Center and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1962, Hudson Heritage Association works to protect historic buildings, the village streetscape, and the city’s Western Reserve architectural aesthetic. It encourages the preservation of historic buildings by providing research, resources and education to homeowners who wish to maintain their historic homes and co-sponsors the city’s work with the Cleveland Restoration Society. HHA also works with building owners to help them meet historic marker requirements and identifies those buildings with the HHA historic marker. The association shares and celebrates the history of Northeastern Ohio by publishing books and newsletters, conducting workshops and field trips, and hosting monthly meetings that feature local preservationists, historians and craftsmen. For more information, visit hudsonheritage.org