The Oil Region Historic Preservation Awards, first given in 1997, honor and encourage historic preservation.
The awards program was created to recognize projects that represent appropriate standards of preservation, restoration and rehabilitation; acknowledge individuals and groups for initiatives, services, or commitment to the preservation of historic structures; to build support for historic preservation through a greater public awareness of the built environment; and to enhance a region-wide preservation ethic in both the public and private sectors.
Congratulations to the 2022 Historic Preservation Award Recipients!
Historic Appreciation: Hidden Heritage publication, nominated by the Heritage Society of Oil City
Historic Appreciation: Grove Hill Cemetery Publications and Tours, nominated by the Heritage Society of Oil City
Preservation Stewardship: St. Titus Roman Catholic Church, nominated by the Titusville Historical Society
Reconstruction: The Brundred Carriage House by Roberta and Gerald Kahler and Elizabeth Giuseffi, nominated by Ron Gustafson of Gustafson General Contracting
Historic Appreciation: Lynn Cressman, nominated by Titusville Renaissance, Inc.
Preservation Stewardship: Olive Vault, Homegrown Kitchen, and Coffee in Between for their building at 1247 Liberty St., Franklin, nominated by Venango County Historical Society
Preservation Stewardship: Barr’s Insurance for its building at 257 Seneca St., Oil City, nominated by Oil City Main Street Program
Read on to learn more about each award-worthy project!
Historic Appreciation: Hidden Heritage publication, nominated by the Heritage Society of Oil City.
Oil City Library and Heritage Society of Oil City were nominated under Historic Appreciation for Hidden Heritage, a serial publication of stories and pictures capturing the history of Oil City written by Judy Etzel with research by Kay Dawson and publication design by Natalie Cubbon of the Oil City Library. Since it began in June 2021, 15 volumes were published in 2021 and 7 volumes were published in 2022 at the time of the nomination. Print copies are available at the Oil City Library and all copies are available at OilRegionLibraries.org/ hidden-Heritage/.
Historic Appreciation: Grove Hill Cemetery Publications and Tours, nominated by the Heritage Society of Oil City
Nominated by Heritage Society of Oil City under Preservation Education/ Initiative, the publications highlight interesting individuals interred at the cemetery. Each was researched and written by Kay Dawson, Margaret Anne Mong, and Taunee Smith. Three volumes were published from 2017-2019 with tours each of those years. (The pandemic prevented tours in 2020 and 2021.) The brochures and tours promote the preservation and legacies of the highlighted individuals and showcases local history.
Preservation Stewardship: St. Titus Roman Catholic Church, nominated by the Titusville Historical Society
The church was nominated under Preservation Stewardship by the Titusville Historical Society for work completed over the last few years regarding the stained glass windows. They were installed in 1935 during the administration of Monsignor James F. Hopkins. The protective layer on the windows had broken down and the wooden frames had deteriorated, leading to repairs that were completed in 2019. Although the leading around the glass did not have to be replaced, a new protective layer of silicone (similar to putty) was used to fill the outer edges of each piece of glass. The restorative work was completed by Jesse Fiske Company of Erie.
Reconstruction: The Brundred Carriage House by Roberta and Gerald Kahler and Elizabeth Giuseffi, nominated by Ron Gustafson of Gustafson General Contracting
This project was nominated for the Reconstruction category by Ron Gustafson of Gustafson General Contracting, who completed the work. Work included the reconstruction and preservation of the original carriage house at 315 W. First Street in Oil City’s Southside Historic District, which was built and used by the Brundred Family circa 1890. Benjamin Brundred was a partner in the Union Refining Co. of Oil City that was subsequently acquired by the Standard Oil Company. Doctors Roberta and Gerald Kahler purchased the building and renovated it in 2021-2022 with the help of Roberta’s sister Elizabeth Giuseffi. The building was in a state of near collapse, but has been renovated for use as a guest house. The removal of siding revealed decorative brick corbelling and a stunning round window. Interior renovations to host “pop-up” shops in the building have attracted numerous local and visitors to the region.
Historic Appreciation: Lynn Cressman, nominated by Titusville Renaissance, Inc.
Lynn Cressman was nominated by Titusville Renaissance, Inc. in the Historic Appreciation category for her efforts involving Ida Tarbell and the Tarbell House. As head of the English Department at Titusville High School, she encouraged the school district to use a biography of Ida Tarbell in all 11th grade English classes: Ida M. Tarbell: the Woman who Challenged Big Business…and Won! It is still part of the curriculum today. She developed the educational program known as Tarbell Teas in which students serve tea while performing as re-enactors of real life oil boom characters. The teas take place at Ida’s childhood home, the Tarbell House, which was purchased and refurbished by the Oil Region Alliance. Though Lynn is now retired from the school district, she continues to serve as a liaison between the ORA and the school, recruiting faculty and student assistance, and helping to put on teas, lead tours, and hold other events that connect the community to its history. The Spring 2022 student teas would likely not be happening if it were not for Lynn’s dedication and leadership!
Preservation Stewardship: Olive Vault, Homegrown Kitchen, and Coffee in Between for their building at 1247 Liberty St., Franklin, nominated by Venango County Historical Society
Renovations began in January 2020 on the former Jackson Hewitt office, returning it to a commercial storefront. In late 2021/early 2022, further renovations were made to add the Homegrown Kitchen to the commercial space. Coffee in Between is also located in the space with a pick up window in the adjoining alley.
Preservation Stewardship: Barr’s Insurance for its building at 257 Seneca St., Oil City, nominated by Oil City Main Street Program
Barr’s Insurance started in Oil City in 1873 and has the legacy of being the oldest independent insurance company that hascontinually represented Travelers Insurance Company. Barr’s was in various locations in Oil City until settling in this building in 1988. The building was constructed circa 1894 in the Italianate commercial style. The concrete block addition on the Elm Street side was constructed in the 1950s.
Recent work includes
- 2012 – masonry work and new signage on the Seneca St. façade; secondary signage and replacement of awning on Elm St. façade
- 2017 – replacement of main entry doors
- 2021 – rehabilitation of six original wood-frame windows on the second story
Barr’s Insurance is a supportive participant in community initiatives and events, including the creation of seasonal storefront displays, which enhances the appearance of the building and the downtown area.
Many thanks to the award sponsors!
- Crawford County Historical Society
- Friends of Drake Well
- Oil City Heritage Society
- Historic Franklin Preservation Association
- Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism
- Titusville Historical Society
- Titusville Renaissance Inc.
- Venango County Historical Society
- Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry
Each sponsoring organization pays a small fee and also provides a judge for the team which reviews submitted nominations (especially “before” and “after” photographs or other documentation), examines the relative merit of each nomination in relation to the eligibility criteria, and decides which nominees should receive awards.