Preservation Ohio — Ohio's oldest statewide preservation association — has released its 2022 list of the state's most endangered historic sites, and two Cincinnati-area buildings made the list.
Both the Manchester Inn and the Armco Research Building in Middletown were named to the collection of 13 endangered sites, which features structures typically facing "one or more of the following factors: demolition threat, abandonment, neglectful owner, deterioration, obsolete use, lack of funding for repairs, location or development," says Preservation Ohio.
"Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites is unique in that it highlights historic buildings and sites submitted from local citizens and advocates, each hoping to bring attention and to identify ways to give important historic properties a future," says the nonprofit.
Any member of the public or organization can nominate an endangered site, with the goal of raising awareness about the potential loss of the historic structure.
Preservation Ohio included information from the nomination applications for the Manchester Inn and Armco Research Building in its list.
The write-up for the Manchester Inn reads:
In our view, the Manchester is the second most historical nonresidential building in Middletown, next to the Sorg Opera House. The Manchester Inn will celebrate its 100th Anniversary this year. The Sorg and the Manchester structures have played important roles in the cultural life of the community, and the list of social, political and celebratory events held in both is impressive. he building has sat vacant for a few years after different investors failed to make progress with redeveloping the building. The goal of listing is to raise awareness that the Manchester is a significant historical building in Middletown and to convey to the City Council that a comprehensive feasibility study needs to be conducted before any arbitrary decisions are made regarding its future.
The write-up for the Armco Research Building reads:
The site was the location of the Armco headquarters for decades. The adjacent buildings began to be demolished in 2009. The large research facility was opened in 1937 and the front is a metal panel structure. The facility had more than doubled in area in 1961. Another major addition took place in 1976. The brick rear and sides of the building have a unique green glaze. It is the last piece of Armco Architecture left and it is a unique building with the metal panels and chrome, with the flair of art deco. We would hope that this would bring attention to the industrial & scientific history of Middletown. That the citizens of Middletown would embrace this architecturally unique structure and let the city know, to preserve it for future generations.See the full list of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites for 2022 and learn more about Preservation Ohio at preserveohio.com.
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