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28Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour — Historically Preserved Rock Formations in Colorado!

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Restored Old Homes in Historic Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, Colorado Prior to arriving in Colorado Springs we had to traverse the Great Plains of Midwest America. You can really see how they came to be called that. Endless expanses of wide open space! You could almost see the buffalo herds roaming the plains as they used to in days gone by, with Indian hunters in fast pursuit! And imagine what it must have been like for new settlers coming across the plains in wagons to make their home there and start a new life! Now that would take some courage. Today this is cattle grazing country mainly as it is too dry to grow crops. One could see the odd ranch house from time to time, but otherwise is…

26Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fourth Award Presentation and Restored Craftsman

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

Old Craftsman Home Restored in Independence, Missouri Retiring from a career in management with a large regional insurance company, my next awardee Diane Rueter took on a full time project when she purchased a dilapidated Craftsman home on Delaware Avenue in Independence, Missouri. Here is the “BEFORE” photo. This is what is looked like when Diane purchased it. [caption id="attachment_3333" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Old Craftsman Home in Independence, MO, prior to renovation[/caption] It was a far cry from when it was originally built in 1915 for the Houchen's family by a well known local architect, Clifton B. Sloan. It was featured in this 1917 issue of American Builder, which describes the building as “well balanced and attractive”. [caption id="attachment_3334" align="aligncenter" width="328"] Article in "American Builder" from 1917 re Craftsman in Independence,…

26Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

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The next leg of our journey was in a south west direction, leaving Iowa and briefly touring through Nebraska heading for our next Historic Preservation Award Event in the city of Independence, Missouri. Similar to its eastern neighbor of Iowa, Nebraska is part of the mid-western corn belt. However from time to time the tilled corn fields were broken up by patches of gorgeous purple lavender fields. [caption id="attachment_3318" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Driving through purple fields in rural Nebraska[/caption] Arriving in Independence, we took the opportunity to explore the historic city center and check out local architecture. We found stately Victorians (such as the boyhood home of President Harry Truman who grew up in Independence. ) and Queen Anns, large Craftsman homes and smaller bungalows. [caption id="attachment_3319" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Historic home…

25Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Third Award Presentation

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

Historic Preservation Recipient Zell Millard I was joined by the Mayor of Woodbine, Bill Hutcheson, and 30 local well-wishers for the presentation which was co-hosted by Woodbine Main Street. The award recipient, Zell Millard has held the moniker of “Mr. Woodbine,” for more than 60 years. Some years back, when an old country school house was slated to be razed, Zell went to work, found a new home for it, and organized the moving event. The Merry Brook School & Genealogical Center now anchors the south edge of a collection of buildings representative of Woodbine’s small town history: the Woodbine Depot, a 1928 canopy gas station, an outdoor amphitheater, an interpretive gazebo featuring Lincoln Highway history and one of the few remaining CNW Cabooses…all residing in the newly named Zell…

24Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – How to Paint Historic Buildings Workshop

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Historic Preservation Alive and Well in Woodbine, Iowa We arrived mid-afternoon in Woodbine, the location of my third Historic Preservation Award the following day. The town of Woodbine, with a total population of just under 1500, is a wonderful success story of main street revitalization through a state funded program and a lot of hard work by Woodbine locals. As we traveled across the state it was clear that both urban and rural Iowa have a tremendous number of unique historic properties and yet the average citizen, as well as many officials, have no clue of the historic treasures that abound in their state. Too many homes and buildings have already been tossed to the scrap heap. I have especially noted this heartbreaking trend within smaller towns and communities, however…

24Apr 2013 by Leisa

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Old Homes and Buildings Across Rural Iowa

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Old Homes, Buildings and Barns Our next stop is the small rural town of Woodbine, on the western edge of Iowa, a drive of just over 300 miles. Statistics show that Iowa's population has grown increasingly urban in the past decade as residents continue to leave rural counties and flock to a handful of larger cities. The indicators can be seen in the architecture. While we passed a number of beautiful old Victorian and Craftsman farmhouses, others, like this long forsaken home, were in ruin. Iowa, a huge corn producing state, is part of the Corn Belt, a region of the Midwestern United States where corn is the predominant crop. The U.S. produces 40% of the world crop. With spring fast approaching, the fields were tilled and ready for the…

13Apr 2013 by Leisa

My First Historic Preservation Award Presentation

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

And the Award Goes to Dave Muylle of Lansing, Michigan! Chilly weather conditions and even snow, could not dampen the enthusiasm regarding historic preservation from the Lansing community on this day! Around 80 people attended, enjoying the presentation, refreshments and then touring through Dave's restored homes at 139 and 141 Leslie Street to see for themselves Dave's fine craftsmanship. Many stayed at length to chat and enjoy the comradery of fellow supporters of old home restoration. My award to Dave was a framed and plaqued painting of 139 and 141 Leslie Street, two of the Craftsman homes Dave has completed within the last year. Here it is! I would like to thank Lansing Council President, Carol Wood and 1st Ward Councilmember, Jody Washington who joined me in honoring Dave as…

11Apr 2013 by Leisa

Old Homes made New!

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Restoring Old Homes and Preserving the Past! I have always been a believer in preserving the character and charm of beautiful old buildings that were built in former times when quality and craftsmanship were cherished and even expected! That's why the majority of the homes I have painted around the country are historic homes. I also know the work, time and money that has to be poured into these homes. One can see the love and pure creation oozing out of these old homes. Here are two examples of two homes in Lansing that serve as classic examples of such restoration. In each case I chose them as house portrait subjects last year when my husband Bruce and I were in Lansing, and I put the finishing touches on them…

03Apr 2013 by Leisa

Repurposing a Lansing Michigan Treasure

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Clara's, a Wonderful Example of Historic Preservation Even though I have driven past Clara's for years, I tragically had never gone inside. That all changes when Preservation Lansing Director Gretchen Cochran suggested we have lunch there this week. All round, a very good experience -- including the food, ambiance and of course the company! [caption id="attachment_3080" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Former Train Depot, now Clara's Restaurant[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3083" align="aligncenter" width="464"] Restored entry to the historic Clara's Restaurant in Lansing[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3085" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Inside Clara's Restaurant[/caption] Here's a bit of history about Clara's. Built in 1903, the “Union Depot” on Michigan Avenue was known as an entertainment spot for Lansing locals whose loved to watch the iron horse pull in each day. It’s rumored this station was also used as a backdrop…

23Mar 2013 by Leisa

Announcing the First Recipient of my Historic Preservation Award!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

Lansing craftsman brings old homes back to life! I believe that beautiful old buildings, with true craftsmanship should be preserved and maintained so that they can continue to serve an example of what QUALITY architectural design and construction is all about. In my opinion, such homes and buildings are art forms -- that's what inspires me to paint them. The award is my way of recognizing individuals who have been instrumental in preserving the historic buildings of their area. Naturally the award I present is a framed pen and watercolor painting of the awardees latest historic project. The first recipient of my Historic Preservation Award therefore will go to Dave Muylle, a person who epitomizes true craftsmanship and quality restoration. Being that I am in Lansing currently with it being the…

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