Preserving Lisbon’s history and protecting many of Lisbon’s historical buildings is what has landed Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission as Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development group’s committee of the year.
CDG noted the work that has went into getting both the Lisbon Main Street and Meyers Farmstead barns and outbuildings recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as reasons for the group’s nomination, as well as the repairs to Lisbon Public Library and Lisbon History Center.
“We thank the CDG for acknowledging our volunteer commission and all those who help us accomplish our goals to make our community a better place to live and work,” said Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission president Rebecca Hess.
Hess said that the group has enjoyed working together to improve the community; cultivate relationships with others who understand and support the group’s mission; research and discover solutions to problems and issues that arise.
“We often use the phrase ‘together(with our partners) we can do more,’” Hess said.
This year’s projects include the completion of masonry restoration of the Lisbon History Center and masonry repair on the Lisbon Public Library.
Their other focus has been on the Meyers Farmstead Historic District and restoring and rehabilitating the barns and other structures within it.
“This included working with the architectural firm, OPN to produce a detailed preservation plan,” Hess said. “This plan analyzed their structural integrity, provided estimated costs of repair, restoration, and rehabilitation, and possible public uses.
“We have been working with the city of Lisbon and our many partners in an effort to save these barns since the city’s insurance company deemed them unstable and wants them demolished. This effort continues today.”
Their work has also been working with the city for the Lisbon Downtown Reinvestment Grant program, which awards grants for rehabilitating and restoring commercial buildings in the Main Street Historic District. Four grants were awarded in 2023, and more than 36 projects have been completed in the past 12 years.
“We work with building owners to protect and preserve the buildings in our Main Street Historic District, saving these historical resources and improving the appeal of our Main Street,” Hess said.
Commission members include Hess, Marc Mohn (vice-chair), Alexandra McKendree (secretary) and Amelia Kibbie. Longtime commission member Ann Opatz resigned March 2024.
Challenges for the organization include educating people in decision-making roles regarding the value of historic preservation to our community, and the proposed uses of rehabilitated spaces, and of course, finding time in their own busy schedules for that work.
As for what’s next for the commission, Hess said they plan to extend their partnership with the school and continue to provide educational opportunities for students to learn about Lisbon’s history.
“We also plan to continue to be the voice for the historic buildings and places that can’t speak for themselves,” Hess said. “To continue to educate the public about the economic value of historic preservation. To engage with the community in order to understand their needs, to continue our own education and building of connections with other organizations so that we can provide the city and its taxpayers with the best and most knowledgeable advice regarding its historic assets.”
The commission would like to extend thanks to the people and organizations who have worked so hard to assist the commission in their efforts to promote, protect and preserve the history of Lisbon.