GREENFIELD — Greenfield Historic Landmarks once again honored those committed to preserving a bit of history at its annual Preservation Awards ceremony, held Oct. 1 at Lizabuth Ann’s Kitchen in Greenfield, at the Riley Boyhood Home and Museum.
Three residences, a church and the Shirley Depot were among the historic dwellings featured at the ceremony.
Jim and Phyllis Arthur were recognized with a Continuous Preservation Award for their ongoing efforts in preserving the former Delany Inn at 5714 West U.S. 52 in New Palestine.
The couple purchased the inn — the oldest structure in New Palestine — in 1969 and moved in on Labor Day the following year after remodeling was complete.
Jim Arthur estimates the structure was built between 1825 and 1833 when the original owner established a grocery, liquor store and stage coach inn on the well-traveled federal highway.
The building, which has eight rooms, was known to house both year-round residents as well as travelers making their way along the main route connecting Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
The Arthurs were commended for their ongoing commitment to renovating and maintaining the historic structure throughout the years.
Also honored were Tim and Elisa Taschwer, who have made their home in a 19th century Victorian house at 728 W. Main St. in Greenfield near Dairy Queen.
The couple — who was given this year’s Residential Preservation Award — has lived in the house for five years.
“We just love old houses and small towns,” Tim Taschwer shared with Greenfield Historic Landmarks board member Tom Strickland.
Taschwer and his wife were happy to find the 1890 Victorian house didn’t need much work when they moved there from Marion County. The couple repainted the front porch and added a new roof but kept the original wood flooring and woodwork.
Alva Leisure was presented a Preservation in Progress Award for the work he’s done to his home at 227 W. North St. in Greenfield.
Leisure is completely restoring the historic home, which was built in 1925.
When starting work there, he was thrilled to discover that the original wood siding was salvageable after pulling off the aluminum siding. He installed a new roof and replaced all the windows in craftsman style and is in the process of restoring the wood siding.
He has installed shake shingles and corbels to the front gables and is hoping to start painting soon. His goal is to finish landscaping and interior work throughout the next year and have a celebration in 2025 when his house turns 100 years old.
Strickland said that honoring that type of dedication is what the annual Preservation Awards are all about.
This year’s Civic Preservation Award went to the Shirley Depot. Wendell and Teresa Hester, members of the Shirley Community Visionaries, accepted the award.
The Shirley Depot has been a long-term project of the community for more than 34 years. It was built in 1893 at the intersection of two railroad lines that ran through the town, which was named after a conductor who worked in the area.
The Depot served as the heart of the community, with 10 passenger trains traveling through town on a regular basis. The structure was first renovated in 1990 when it was transformed into a museum to celebrate Shirley’s heritage in honor of the town’s 100th anniversary.
Another public space — Greenfield Christian Church — was also recognized with a Continuous Preservation award.
Pastor Merlyn Winters and property manager Steve Foreman accepted the award on behalf of the church, at 23 N. East St. in downtown Greenfield.
Last year, the church underwent a major preservation effort to ensure the continued beauty of the church’s original 1895 stained glass windows. Bovard Studio of Iowa cleaned and installed new protective glass to the 25 windows on the church’s north side over a period of three weeks. A major grant and the city of Greenfield helped fund the project, which topped out over $120,000, with the church providing 7% of the financing.
One of Greenfield Landmarks’ own members — Michael Ball — got a surprise when he was presented with the Les Barr Memorial Award for contributions to local preservation efforts.
Barr was one of the original founders of Greenfield Historic Landmarks, which was formed in 1980.
An award is given each year in his name, recognizing a community member who has gone above and beyond to support local preservation efforts.
Strickland said Ball has spent more than 100 hours expanding Greenfield Historic Landmarks’ online database of historic structures throughout Hancock County, along with a list of previous Preservation Award winners and other local historic preservation facts.
“I had no idea I was getting this, but I’m very honored,” said Ball.
