A Preservation Journey
Throughout the years, I’ve maintained a catalog of Cincinnati’s architectural gems, a cityscape marked by the rich heritage of my ancestors. Yet, the passage of time has seen much of this legacy erased. In the past 26 years alone, I’ve witnessed structures torn down, an architectural lineage disappearing brick by brick. This spurred within me a passionate resolve: to salvage, protect, and archive as much of this heritage as I possibly could.
One fortunate endeavor led me to the reclamation of a remarkable piece of history—an 1895, 9,000-square-foot mansion designed by the renowned Samuel Hannaford for a coal baron. This majestic residence boasted a meticulously hand-carved front porch surround, complemented by an exquisite honeycomb scalloped textured limestone door surround, and honeycombed scalloped quoins window surrounds. In 2019, I undertook the task of reclaiming this masterpiece. Its body was crafted from expertly hewn Cincinnati fieldstone, and every window’s quoin featured the same intricate honeycomb scalloped textured oolithic limestone, a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of its era.
My endeavors in preservation further extended to St. Andrews church, a 1917 Samuel Hannaford and Sons creation. This magnificent church, crafted entirely from Dayton Limestone, stood as a testament to architectural prowess—a legacy now marred by the closure of the quarry responsible for this distinctive material.
However, the pinnacle of my salvage efforts arrived last summer in 2022 when I embarked on the restoration of the A.E. Burckhardt mansion, famously known as “Edgewood.” This opulent estate, a striking blend of Romanesque, Queen Anne, and Victorian styles, epitomized the Gilded Age extravagance. At its heart, the theme resonated—a celebration of life symbolized by intricately carved Roman clam shells adorning various facets of the mansion. Within its walls, I encountered rare architectural marvels—the singular Horseshoe Arch and an impeccably carved front door surround.
In our meticulous reclamation process, we have painstakingly salvaged the entire structure, preserving its history and essence. The lumber, meticulously separated, showcases the precision-cut ‘Cincinnati limestone,’ an unparalleled testament to craftsmanship—a sight that has left an indelible mark on my preservation journey.
These salvaged remnants stand not just as architectural treasures but as a testament to the dedication and passion for preserving the narrative woven into the very fabric of Cincinnati’s history. As I continue this pursuit, I am reminded of the importance of cherishing our past to build a more enriched future—a legacy etched in stone and memory alike.