BG gets tips on preserving history

Historic homes are seen along North Prospect Street in Bowling Green. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

A local ordinance is the key to historical preservation efforts, Bowling Green and Wood County officials and residents were told last week.
Nathan Bevil, certified local government and preservation services manager of the Ohio Historical Preservation Office, said being listed on the National Register of Historic Places "does not protect anything." Bevil said municipalities, counties and townships can protect what they consider important through ordinances and laws. "The Certified Local Governments program provides a way to accomplish preservation," he said.
The recently demolished BG Senior High/Junior High building in the 200 block of West Wooster Street, is an example of a building that was on the national register.
There are 56 CLG's in Ohio, one of which is Perrysburg. Cities range in size from Columbus to Mount Pleasant in extreme southeast Ohio with a population of 478 in the 2010 census. Oxford, home of Miami University, has been a CLG for many years, while Kent, home of Kent State University, recently became a member. Bevil said Athens, home of Ohio University, is in the process of becoming a member.