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Restoration Efforts

“If we don’t care about our past, we cannot hope for the future….”
​Restoration of the Historical Houston House
Home of the Marysville Art League

Houston House

The Historical Houston House was built in 1872 by Christopher and Hannah Houston. It is a two-story brick house which is a stunning example of Italianate architecture. The house features tall narrow arched second-floor windows, high ceilings throughout, original plaster crown molding, a low-pitched roof, decorative brackets, and cornices under the eaves. The home is a prominent showcase of Union County.

Restoration of the Historical Houston House

Repairs

PROJECT SUMMARY 

The Historical Houston House Project consists of repairs and updates to the 1872 Italianate style architecture. The Houston House is home to MAL and is located in the Marysville Uptown Historical District. As a valuable asset to our growing community, we want to preserve the history of this home and its future.

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Due to the home being in the Historical Uptown Marysville District, the historical codes apply to how repairs are to be made. This requires the box gutters to be replaced. Due to years of neglect, the soffits are in severe condition. There is a lot of water damage to the interior walls and ceilings as a result of poor gutters, flashing, and downspouts. These repairs have been handled by patching and making band-aid repairs over the years. We are now at the point where proper repairs need to be made. If repairs are not made correctly then water will continue to damage this historical home. That is the main reason for seeking funding for the restoration project.

 

The home currently serves the community by offering art classes, public art shows, public rental space for small events, and a gallery featuring various area artists’ works for sale. Restoration of the Houston House will ensure the continued growth of arts and culture in Marysville.  Art and culture create economic vitality and stimulate economic development. The property is currently free and clear of debt. The last estimated value of the home was $200,000. Daily operations are paid for through house rentals, class, and membership fees.

 

REPAIRS

Total Funding Request:   $161,334

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Roofing: $ 65,189

Remove the existing shingle roof and lower two feet to allow for the proper installation of box gutters. Remove and replace all roofing. Correctly flash chimneys, and replace the upper flat roof with a standing seam. All existing metal is coated galvanized, and coated galvanized is appropriate for replacement. Caps and additional high-stress components will be color-coordinated, and comparable to existing ones. 

 

Box Gutter and Downspout: $43,122

Remove and replace existing gutters and downspouts with 18 gauge galvanized metal to match the originall. 

 

Soffit: $13,800

Repaint the existing soffit. Remove badly damaged decorative elements and replace as necessary, up to 15, and epoxy patch the remainder. Some separation will still be visible, and this does not include a full strip. As gutters are repaired, the soffits will not be taking water from above so they can be stabilized. They will be sprayed with primer meant to bond peeling paint called “Peel-Bond.” 

 

Masonry: $32,203

Masonry will include brick replacement; up to 115 bricks to match existing repointing mortar which will closely match the existing color, hardness, finish, and aggregate composition. Square footage will be described as 20% of the building’s exterior surface. Stone patching and replacement as necessary up to 10% of foundation surface and insert stone. 

 

Interior Plaster $7,108

Repair and repaint areas damaged by the roof and gutter leaks - primarily ceiling work. 

IMPROVEMENTS 

  • Bunsold Plumbing and Heating installed new furnaces at a discounted rate to help support the MAL.

  • The driveway was repaired and expanded in July 2013 and 2014. 

  • The House’s curb appeal was addressed and improved in July 2013 and May 2022. Overgrown trees and shrubs were trimmed or cut down and removed.  

  • Bunsold Plumbing and Heating replaced the old hot water tank that was leaking in the basement in September 2013.  

  • New landscaping was completed in May 2014. Dutch Mill Greenhouse volunteered services and plants as a community gift.

  • Local Boy Scout Troop 355 spread mulch in the newly created flower beds. 

  • There was only wheelchair accessibility to the back art room addition that was added in the early 1980s. The lack of wheelchair accessibility to the rest of the house greatly limited its use. We began a fundraising campaign “Buy a Board.” This fundraiser and a generous donation from the Marilyn Shearer Estate allowed us to begin work. The old cistern was filled in and a new deck and wheelchair ramp was completed in the fall of 2014. 

  • A gallery hanging system was added to the main parlor and gallery in 2014. This allows for rotating art shows, displays members’ art, and prevents damage to the walls.

  • The newly added deck was stained in the fall of 2015. 

  • New heating and cooling units were added to the second floor in November 2015.  

  • The basement was cleaned and organized in the fall of 2015. This allowed the MAL to add another classroom that could be used for pottery classes and any overflow from the back art room. 

  • The deck and wheelchair ramp was cleaned, reconditioned, and stained in July 2016

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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  • City of Marysville, Ohio

  • Uptown Friday Nights

  • Legends Walk Christmas and Santa Village

  • Dare Dream Studios, Dan and Gina Snodgrass

  • Dutch Mill Greenhouse Henke Berbee and Family

  • Fraternal Organizations: Elks Lodge #1130 Moose Lodge #1651

  • Marysville Exempted Village School DistrictBuilding

  • Art Departments​ Scholarships Art Shows

  • Marysville Public Library

  • Memorial HospitalMemorial Gala Cancer Support Group

  • Pathways Financial Credit UnionRotating Local Art Show

  • Union County Chamber of Commerce 

  • Union County Convention and Visitors Bureau

  • Union County Covered Bridge Festival

  • Union County Farmers Market

  • Union County Women Entrepreneurs

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS 

  • 2013 City of Marysville Beautification Program – Honorable Mention MAL

  • Member Nominated to the 2014 Governor’s Award for the Arts by Ohio Citizens for the Arts

  • MAL Member Received 2014 Union County Chamber of Commerce Salute to Leaders Award for Promotion of Arts in Union County  

  • Nominated to 2017 Governor's Award for Arts by Citizens for the Arts 

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  • Houston Homemade – Fall Festival and Craft Show

  • Christmas Tree Lighting

  • Christmas Shop Local

  • Santa’s Workshop

  • Pictures and Doughnuts with Santa

  • Community Painting Fundraisers – Raise money for your cause

  • Essential Oil Classes

  • Home School Art Club Program

  • All Bout Stenciling Classes  

  • Variety of other classes are offered throughout the year.

BENEFITS TO MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY 

The MAL offers something for everyone. We keep our membership fees low and classes affordable. All while striving to make MAL a self-sufficient organization and an asset to the community. 

  • Bi-Monthly Board Meetings

  • MAL Member Monthly Newsletters

  • Artisan Gallery #264 – A local shopping experience featuring local artists’ work

  • Art Classes  & Summer Camps

  • Grace’s Gallery – Open Art Studio (nominal fee includes all supplies and studio time)

  • Pottery and Ceramic classes

  • Custom Art Birthday Parties

  • House and Room Rentals (Graduation, Bridal, Baby – small events)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  •  City of Marysville Uptown Friday Night 2013-Present- About MAL Tent; Organize “Chalk the Block” – Free Event with Prizes

  • “Sit Down for a Charity Event” 2013

  • City of Marysville Swimming Pool Project 2013-  MAL members painted murals on various areas throughout the facility.  

  • Marysville High School Show Choir Seasons 2012-2015- Sponsor Donated Gift Basket and Door Prize for Cabaret Night Auction

  • Marysville Public Library 2012-2015- Monthly rotating art display, various artist displays throughout the year Support Special events such as “Artpalozza,”, Pumpkin Decorating Contest and etc.

  •  Memorial Hospital Starting 2012

    • Memorial Gala 2015– Three MAL artists painted and donated paintings for the live auction

    • Annual Festival of Trees Gift Baskets- Twigs 8 Group hosted a Holiday Tea, a Fall Painting class Dinner & Ornament Decorating  

  • Union County Care Train Starting 2012- Gift Baskets for Community Auction- Partnered with Kibbey’s Catering for free House rental for donation  

  • Union County Fair 2014-2015- MAL Information Booth PEEP through- Board donated to Union County Fair for Photo Ops Sponsored Kid Zone and Free Facepainting

  • The MaiZe at Milford Center 2013-Present- Annual Fall Festival & face painting Painted Peep through Pumpkin Board Michigan Player for Corn Cannon Game  

  • Edgewood Elementary Spring Festival 2013-Present- Door Prize Donations (Free MAL Memberships, Room Rentals, MAL Artist Items)  

  • Team Building through Painting- Nestle’s Company, Union County Sheriff Department, Honda of America, In-Step & YMCA Elite Volleyball  

  • Donated to Create by Crafted Works by Bobbi Dailey (MAL Vice President) – 2013-2015 Blessings in a Backpack, Darric Brown, Smiley Rylee  ​

  • City of Marysville Legends Walking Tour 2013-Present-Tour ends at Houston House for a spooky tour, hot cider and cocoa and cookies.  

  • House Tours/Art Projects 2014-Present

    • Trinity Lutheran Schools Tour and Art Project

    • Union County 4-H Clubs

    • Union County Garden Club House Tour and Talk

    • Enchanted Care Day Care Tour and Art Project

    • Marysville Creekview Intermediate School Tour and Art Project 

  • Boy and Girl Scouts 2014-Present

    • Eagle Scout Project (ongoing 2016)

    • Merit Badge Classes for Painting and Crafts Community

    • Service Opportunities Meeting Location for Girl Scout Troop #4867 and Hoof & Hide 4H Club

  • ​Union County Health Department Sneaker Day 2013

  • Covered Bridge & Bluegrass Festival Starting 2013

  • 4th District Congressional High School Art Show 2014- Hosted event for U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan. Three students from Union County entered. A Marysville High School student received an honorable mention.  

  • Marysville Exempted Village School District Art Shows 2013-Present- Sponsor and host the High School, Middle School and Creekview Art Shows. Sponsor a $500.00 scholarship which is housed at the Union County Foundation Sponsor Small $250.00 Awards  

  • Union County Drug Court (First Steps to Recovery) 2020-Community Service Opportunities for Yard and House Maintenance Projects Therapeutic Art Journaling Class in 2016 Phase I Program  

  • Union County Family Court 2020- Community Service Opportunities and Mentoring for Youth Participating in  

  • Union County Here for Hope Starting 2014-
    2014 Suicide Prevention Awareness Event: Hosted, Art Auction by MAL Member, Coordinated with Marysville High School & North Union High School for Art Donations. A Memory Tree quilt was made by MAL members for future events and awareness. 

  • BASE Program at Marysville Bunsold Middle School 2012-2014-
    Teachers from MAL taught classes (photography, creative writing, and visual arts) at the BASE program before funding was dropped.

  •  Encore Union County 2013 Summer Theater Production of “All Shook-up”- Sets were designed and built at no charge with help from the youth in the Family Court Program.

  • Angel Tree Ministry 2012-2014- Event where MAL members donated wrapped gifts and held a party for children in need. 2014 MAL became the sole sponsor for Delaware, Madison, and Union Counties serving 50 children.  

  • Hopes & Dreams of Our Children Community Art Project-Meeting site for this grassroots organization

  • Union County Chamber of Commerce Holiday Open House 2013-2014- Chamber Open House hosted at the Houston House by the MAL 

  • Dutch Mill Greenhouse: Summer Series Art Program 2014-Present- Artists from MAL partnered with Dutch Mill to provide a series of unique classes during the summer  

  • Union County Annual Chamber Dinner 2016- MAL artist painted live during the event and the painting was auctioned off as a fundraiser.  

  • The Richwood Bank, Dutch Mill Greenhouse, and MAL 2014-
    Partnered for a Community Date Night Paint Class and Beer Making 

  • Union County Historical Society 2014-Present-MAL Members actively participate and sponsor events.   

  • Union County Master Gardeners at McCloud Park 2015-Present- Art in the Park Events Master Gardeners earn required hours for the landscaping maintenance at the Houston House  

  • Pathways Financial Service Credit Union 2015-Present- Local Expressions: Local Art, Local Banking, Local Flavor Rotating Art Show and Reception  

  • Homes for Our Troops, Building Homes for Wounded Soldiers 2013- MAL Artist decorated and painted the shovels for the groundbreaking event.  One of the shovels was featured on WBNS 10TV and NBC4.  

  • Union County Farmers Market 2015-Present- Free art projects offered once a month.  

  • Union County Bar Association Summer Gatherings – 2014, 2015

  • Dorothy Pelanda Fundraising Dinner – Fall, 2013

  • David Phillips Union County Prosecutor Fundraising Event – Fall, 2012

  • Memorial Hospital Staff Meetings 2016

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