Award recipients Delphi Preservation Society presented Recognition Awards for 2008 during its recent annual meeting. Pictured are (l-r): DPS Vice President Greg Norman; Historic Church Award recipients Steve Briggs and Pastor Bill McLean of Delphi Presbyterian Church; Barbah Wine of Carroll Manor, Historic Commercial or Public Building Award; Lynn Corson, the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Leadership Award; Tom Atkinson, Historic Residence Pre-1920 Award; and DPS President Anita Werling. Photo provided Greg Norman, vice president of the Delphi Preservation Society (DPS), presented four recognition awards during the society's annual meeting May 29 at the Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center. Award categories were added this year.

Preservation leadership

Lynn Corson, a past president of the society, was honored as the first recipient of the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Award for Leadership in Preservation, named for the founders of DPS.

Corson has been a member virtually since its founding and held every office while he served on the board of directors. He has been a strong voice for preservation of historic structures and cultural heritage in Delphi and Carroll County. Through his leadership and contacts, the society achieved statewide and national recognition. Corson has secured several grants for the Society, including the prestigious Historic Preservation Fund grant for the recent restoration of the façade on the Assion-Ruffing City Hall building.

Historic residence pre-1920

The Recognition Award for Historic Residence Pre-1920 was presented to Tom and Joy Atkinson for their Queen Anne style home at the corner of Franklin and Union streets, built in 1896 by Joseph Ruffing, who was a Delphi jeweler.

The Atkinsons have been good stewards of the historic property. The added a slate roof to the structure 10 years ago and this past year had the residence painted by Hank Ivey Decorating with stunning results.

Historic Church Award

The inaugural Historic Church Recognition Award was presented to the Delphi Presbyterian Church. Built in 1928 and beautifully maintained, the limestone structure is graced on all sides with stained glass windows. Accepting the award were Pastor Bill McLean and Steve Briggs.

Commerical or public building

Carroll Manor received the first Recognition Award for an Historic Commercial or Public Building. Erected as a county home for the poor in 1911, the Manor is now an assisted-living facility for senior citizens. The county-owned structure recently underwent renovations to add an elevator and community room to the facility. The addition was designed to blend in with the historic architecture of the home. Barbah Wine accepted the award on behalf of the manor.

Three other award categories did not receive nominations in this first year. They were: Historic Residence Post-1920; Historic Site or Structure, such as the Murphy Fountain; and the Gerard Award, which recognizes an individual or organization for efforts in historical documentation and archival preservation. The latter award honors the memory of the late Charles Gerard, whose archives were donated to the society. He passed away in 2005 of Lou Gehrig's disease.

Members elected Julie Knoeller and Carol Wellnitz to three-year terms on the board of directors. Anita Werling was re-elected for a second three-year term as president. Tom Atkinson and Mark Scharer, who are leaving the board, were recognized for their service and contributions. Emily Gross, a DPS summer intern studying Interior Design and Preservation at Ball State University, was introduced to the members. Gross completed a rendering of the façade of the Assion-Ruffing City Hall building and is currently working on drawings of the prismatic glass transoms to be restored during next year.

Werling presented a year-inreview report which highlighted the City Hall building façade restoration project and activities at Old Settlers in August that featured a style show of Opera House era fashions.

The report highlighted a recent conference held at Newberry Opera House in Newberry, S.C. about Historic Theater Restoration as an Economic Revitalization Catalyst in Small Communities. Attended by Werling and Dick Traeger, treasurer of the Society, the conference provided an excellent model that could work in Delphi for the restoration of the city's historic opera house.

Fundraising activities were launched for a new Roof for the Ruffing. The society hopes to raise $45,000 to replace the roof this year and to ensure that the structure is secure as funds are being obtained for the Opera House restoration.

The Opera House will be open for tours at mid-day on Fridays throughout summer and during special events including the Heritage Transportation Festival June 14 and 15.

For more information about DPS or the Opera House restoration, contact Werling at (765) 564-2169 or Email info@delphipreser vationsociety.org.