Gamble House Receives Designation
May 2010
On Wednesday, May 12, 2010, Cincinnati City Council followed the unanimous recommendations of both the Historic Conservation Board and the Planning Commission in designating a portion of the property known as the James N. Gamble House, located at 2918 Werk Road as a historic district overlay. In voting 8-0 to approve the overlay, Cincinnati City Council declared what we've known all along: the James Norris Gamble House is a Local Historic Landmark.
CHALLENGES AND THREATS REMAIN
The following is a transcript of an address made by Gregory Kissel to the City of Cincinnati's Livable Communities Committee on Tuesday, May 11, 2010:
“Threats to the James Norris Gamble House have unfortunately proven to be real and sustained. Litigation initiated by Greenacres Foundation and its lawyer Barrett & Weber six days after applying for a demolition permit remains pending, with the outcome very uncertain. The house continues to suffer from water intrusion, neglect, and orchestrations for demolition.
The house continues to suffer from water intrusion, neglect, and orchestrations for demolition.
Threats Remain Apparent During Recent TourOn April 21, 2010, Judge Norbert A. Nadel toured the historic James Norris Gamble House. Members of the Cincinnati Preservation Association, the Westwood Historical Society, and the media were denied entry. Beginning on March 26, 2010, the current owners of the home, the Greenacres Foundation, began methodically stripping the interior of its woodwork, three-story banister, doors, and other historic details.
On March 8th, Cincinnati's Historic Conservation Board unanimously recommended the Gamble House for historic designation. On March 19th, the City Planning Commission unanimously approved and recommended that City Council approve the Gamble House historic designation and its Historical Overlay District.
Cincinnati Preservation, Preservation Ohio, Heritage Ohio, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio Historical Society, and the National Trust [for Historic Preservation] each have written letters of support for city historical designation. The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure of Ireland, Gamble's ancestral home, offered written support for saving the Gamble House.
Unprecedented public support has emerged from across the city and beyond. Heightened awareness of the plight of the Gamble House has focused attention on its fate. Members of the Save the Gamble House Facebook Group number over 2,770. More than 1,500 people have signed an on-line petition for historic designation and preservation of the home.
East and West UnitedRecently, a group of supporters from both the West side and the East side came together in Indian Hill to protest the Greenacres Foundation's decision to demolish the historic James N. Gamble House.
Cincinnati Preservation Association has courageously and graciously stepped to the forefront to save the Gamble House. On May 3rd, Cincinnati Preservation Association sent Greenacres Foundation its offer to purchase the Gamble House. That same day, the Cincinnati Business Courier called the home a national treasure, and urged acceptance of the offer. Congressman Steve Driehaus announced his support for the purchase offer.
Meanwhile, on May 5th the Gamble House was placed on Preservation Ohio's 2010 Ohio's Most Endangered Historic Sites List.
Undeniable and immutable facts demonstrate James Norris Gamble's life, contributions, and home have historical significance for the community, the city, region, and the nation. An important cultural asset, the Gamble House is worthy of preserving for future generations, and itself can be an instrument of education.
Despite what others may say though, regrettably the Gamble House's future is far from secure. Challenges and threats remain. It remains unclear if Cincinnati Preservation Association's offer will be accepted, and under what terms and restrictions. If the offer is accepted, work needs to be done to secure funding for stabilization, restoration, and endowment for future operation. Planning and strategic groundwork needs to be laid to give the Gamble House new purpose.
Loss of Westwood's Gamble House would be a loss of deeply ingrained history and a true national, historic treasure.
Patriarch of the Western HillsOur beloved James Norris Gamble, and his home Ratonagh, as it appeared in 1932.
Gamble's influence and legacy continues even today. I hope you agree that James Norris Gamble's House matters. The destiny of his home lies with the community — Greenacres Foundation has no [intent and] interest in keeping the home. Loss of Westwood's Gamble House would be a loss of deeply ingrained history and a true national, historic treasure.
Your vote in this critical stage for historic designation finally and unequivocally recognizes the Gamble House for what it is — a City Historical Landmark. Designation puts into effect protections that in their absence would subject the house to potential immediate demolition. City designation is necessary for listing on the National Register and as a National Historic Landmark. Historic designation is vital to gain access to essential funding, tax credits, and planning resources at local, state, and national levels and to finance saving the James Norris Gamble House.”
THE COMMUNITY MUST MAKE A STAND
The best hope of saving the Historic James N. Gamble House is to acquire it. It does not matter how much money the current owners have if they aren't willing to invest in it. If the community wants the house to be saved and restored, then we need to find the funds to do so. The Cincinnati Preservation Association is coordinating the fundraising effort, in addition to pursuing grant monies and corporate donations. Foundations are being approached as well, but they want to see the community's committment before making one of their own.
Our initial fundraising goal is to raise $500,000 for the acquisition, stabilization, and restoration of the home — and we need to reach that goal quickly. Ultimately, we will need to raise close to $2 million to complete the project and establish the endowment.
MAKE A PLEDGE OR DONATION
Threats Remain RealA court-ordered tour of the home in April revealed some disheartening images; the community was shocked to discover the current owners had gutted much of the interior — a clear indication of their plans for future demolition.
- Cincinnati Preservation Association
- 342 West 4th Street
- Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Telephone: (513) 721-4506
- E-mail: info@cincinnatipreservation.org
- On the web: www.cincinnatipreservation.org/gamble
MAKE A DONATION JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUPSIGN THE ONLINE PETITION
PATRIARCH OF THE WESTERN HILLS
James Norris Gamble, industrialist, invented Procter & Gamble's Ivory Soap and revolutionized the soap industry. As a partner at Procter & Gamble, he was instrumental in the company's rapid growth and innovation. Son of the company's cofounder, he introduced innovations in the area of research product laboratories and labor relations. Gamble's scientific approach, moving the company beyond its artisan roots, remains ingrained in Procter & Gamble Company's corporate culture today. He became a giant among men yet forever humble and deeply concerned with the welfare of his fellow citizens, regardless of circumstances. He was a true hero of capitalism — the rise of his great company with worldwide influence anchored to his adopted village, his adored community, and the city it eventually became part of.
James N. Gamble was instrumental in nurturing Westwood to maturity until it was worthy of annexation into the City of Cincinnati. As the last Mayor of the Village of Westwood, Gamble navigated annexation with deft skill, stipulating conditions that would maintain, continue, or extend progress to Westwood.
His efforts in the community helped connect us via rail, road, and viaduct. Mr. Gamble fostered property development via land syndicate initiatives and his brickyard produced the material upon which many of our homes were constructed. He encouraged connection to community & neighbor by laying ribbons of sidewalk and lining them with trees to shade us as we travel. Gamble financed the construction of churches and was a contributor to the success of the early Westwood school system. He was instrumental in the construction of the Westwood Town Hall town hall and Fire Department.
Outside of Westwood, Gamble generously financed the Institute of Medical Research at Christ Hospital, along with the funds needed to equip and endow it. He was a key figure in the planning & development of public parks and ensured the completion of Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinati.
Gamble remained deeply connected to his fellow man and did not use his wealth to distance himself from the community; rather, he invited neighbors to come celebrate at his home, and took time to express genuine emotion for the human condition.
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