Historic York Inc. names six preservation award recipients

York Daily Record

Dozens of people gathered at The Handsome Cab in downtown York Monday evening for Historic York Inc.'s 2018 Historic Preservation Awards.

Jack Kay, chair of the York County Industrial Development Authority, gave an overview of the planned renovations for the The Yorktowne Hotel. It will be part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton when it re-opens next year.

Matt Gallagher, chair of the board of Historic York, presented six preservation awards during the event.

Here are the recipients:

Outstanding Restoration by a Volunteer Organization: Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society

The Dill's Tavern and Plantation tells the history of Dillsburg and life on the Pennsylvania frontier. The site includes a stone tavern that dates back to 1794 and the Maple Shade Barn. The society also hosts archaeological investigations and restoration projects. The site is open from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday.

The society was recognized for not only its work in historical preservation but also for the educational activities and programs.

Outstanding Residential Restoration: Martin Library for the David Etter Small House

A brownstone building, center, belonging to Martin Library undergoes renovations Wednesday, April 5, 2017. A historic brownstone building, which is adjacent to Martin Library's East Market Street facade, was built in 1866 and was donated to the library by the Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Company in 2002. The three-story building, whose donation doubled the library's space, was joined to the library by the atrium that now connects the quiet reading room and main desk to the children's area, the reference section and study rooms. The exterior facade of the brownstone will undergo renovations through mid-September to restore the original surfaces and repair and replace existing stonework and windows.

The "brownstone" house, built by David Etter Small in 1866, was donated to the library in 2002 by Susquehanna Broadcasting. The library renovated the interior to create additional office and meeting space in recent years, and subsequently restored the exterior of the building, which included brick repointing, repair of the original front doors and replacement of the original double-hung windows.

The library and its professional partners were honored for restoring "one of York's cherished architectural gems."

Outstanding Adaptive Reuse: Robert Godfrey and Andrew D’Agenais of The Handsome Cab

The Handsome Cab was one of 12 first-time members of Restaurant Week in York in 2017.

The co-owners were recognized for bringing back the Mitzel House -- a home that the Mitzel family built in the mid-1800s in the 100 block of North George Street in York. Over the years, the place hosted various businesses, including a cigar shop, a fruit stand and a dry cleaners.

Godfrey and D'Agenais transformed the former Formprest Cleaners into The Handsome Cab -- a restaurant, wine bar, art gallery and art studios.

It is the only original structure still standing on the west side of that block, according to Historic York.

Outstanding Commercial Restoration: Meg Swartz for the White Hall Hotel

Paul Kuehenl captures the National House, before its recent renovation and with Bradford Pear trees in full bloom. This photo was made in the spring of 2014.

The hotel, also known as the National House, had been restored in 1985 to its Civil War-era look, but the building had problems in more recent years.

Support columns were rotting, balconies were in danger of collapsing, and window frames needed repairs.

Swartz was honored for "doing it right" for outstanding commercial renovation.

Advocacy Award: Friends of the Hoke House

Paul Nevin and the Friends of the Hoke House were recognized for their efforts to save one of the oldest structures in Spring Grove. The Hoke House, built in 1750, served as a tavern on the edge of America's frontier in its early years. More recently, it served as a public library. Rutter's currently owns the building.

Brenda Hart (Hoke), of Jackson Township, remembers staying in the Hoke House in 1964 with her grandmother when her brother was born.

"We thank you ... for speaking out and working to preserve this historic landmark for future generations," Gallagher said.

Outstanding Service to the Preservation Community: Scott Mingus

The local history author, who had relatives who served in the Civil War, has written 19 books about the war and the Underground Railroad. He received the 2013 Heritage Profile Award from the then-York County Heritage Trust for his contributions to local Civil War history.

"You bring life to our historic buildings and sites by filling them with stories of the people and activities that bring our history to life," Gallagher said.