Canton
Preservation
Society


131 Wertz Ave NW
Canton, OH 44708
330-452-9341

About the Canton Preservation Society

In 1977, responding to an increasing need to protect those architectural and historical treasures which make the Canton, Ohio area unique, a group of concerned citizens formed a non-profit corporation, the Canton Preservation Society. CPS is dedicated to preserving significant buildings and to educating the community about the benefits of historic preservation.

To achieve these goals, the Canton Preservation Society:

  • publishes a seasonal newsletter, The Preservationist, to keep CPS members fully informed about preservation issues;

  • rescues important architectural artifacts for eventual reuse through our Salvage Program;

  • assists property owners with nominations for the National Register of Historic Places;

  •  provides assistance and reference materials on preservation and restoration;

  • acts as a liaison between our community and the Ohio Historic Preservation Society and the National Trust for Historic Preservation

  • participates in the City of Canton Landmark Commission


CPS and the Hartung House

In the late 1800s, L.B. and Minnie Hartung attended the World's Fair in Chicago and were introduced to a Neo-Classic style of home. They brought the idea back to Canton and soon built their new family home. After serving as the home of the Hartungs and their children, in the 1950s it became the new home of the Philomatheon Society. Once the house no longer met their needs it was scheduled for demolition.

For a more detailed history of the Hartung House, link here.

Canton Preservation Society's mission is to encourage the preservation and restoration of structures and neighborhoods. They lived out this mission in 2001 by arranging to have the Hartung Home moved from its original location on Tuscarawas Street West to its new location at 131 Wertz Ave NW. Not only did the organization rescue the house from the wrecking ball, they adopted it as their own.

Today there is new life at the Hartung House. Several rooms upstairs have been refurbished and now serve as administrative offices and a research library. The basement is new and includes a conference room, work rooms, and storage areas. The first floor is being brought back to its original grandeur. The parlor and living rooms will entertain guests the same as they did in the very beginning. Eventually the grounds will include additional parking, gardens and a pavilion to host outdoor events.

Why Preservation?

What is gained by preserving the old rather than moving on to something new? In contemplating the restoration of an old building or saving a historic site, questions such as these may come to mind. There are many different reasons for undertaking a project of historic preservation, with benefits accruing to both individuals and the community as a whole.

Preserving historic places and structures can be of great value to the community. It is a way of creating an environment that the public can enjoy and take pride in. Preservation makes the community more attractive and adds character and individuality. This can attract business and tourism from other areas, and provide a common ground or interest which can be shared by everyone.

Historic preservation can also do much to improve the quality of life in a community. The core areas of modern cities are often left to decay while the population moves to outlying areas. Restoring old buildings can reduce the problems of urban growth, including the deterioration of inner cities and the accompanying crime.

The homes and businesses of the inner town are often some of the most charming and unique structures in the city. Restoration can be more economically practical than constructing new buildings. Owners of historically significant structures may also be eligible for tax incentives or grants.

Finally, historic preservation preserves our cultural and historical past. Preserving and maintaining aspects of our past, whether it is home, a barn, a church or a tree allows us to maintain a sense of continuity and relationship with the past. It lets us view the changes that have taken place against a backdrop of what has gone before. This helps us to appreciate where we are in time, to understand how we got here, and perhaps to decide where we should be going.


 

© 2010 - Canton Preservation Society
Last update 01/29/2025