DPS is recognized Delphi Preservation Society board members Anita Werling and Joe Kitchel recently accepted the Indiana Main Street "Best Historic Rehabilitation Project" award for improvements to the Assion-Ruffing City Hall building in downtown Delphi. Pictured with them is Shae Young, right, Indiana Main Street manager. Photo provided The Delphi Preservation Society, Inc. (DPS) was awarded the Indiana Main Street "Best Historic Rehabilitation Project" at the 2008 Cornelius O'Brien Historic Preservation and Indiana Main Street Conference held in Bloomington in October. The award was presented to DPS for rehabilitating the façade of the Assion-Ruffing City Hall building on Washington St. in downtown Delphi.

A landmark Italianate structure built in 1864, the Assion-Ruffing City Hall Façade is owned by the Delphi Preservation Society. The building is home to three retail spaces, apartments and office spaces. Restoration of the building included work on the cornice, balcony, windows, outer face and awnings. Now six other building facades are being restored in the downtown area.

The project not only restored the front of the building, but also encouraged other downtown structure owners to take advantage of a Façade Improvement Program funded by the city through its Main Street program. To date, nine façade improvement grants have been awarded.

"Congratulations to the Delphi Preservation Society, Inc. which has helped promote economic activity in its community," said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. "Community pride is evident in this award. I am pleased to hear that our Indiana communities are working diligently to ensure that their downtown revitalization efforts are effective."