(l to r) Doug Morrison, HCCA, Judy Cass, & Mel Joliff
Doug Morrison - Exterior Rehabilitation
Since August, 2007, Doug and Mary Beth Morrison have been very busy discovering & restoring
much of the exterior of their c. 1892 Queen Anne home at 1105 North 10th Street. Unlike most old
house owners, the Morrisons are fortunate to have the original architect drawings as a reference.
Their work started with the removal of 1960s-era aluminum siding. Underneath, the original
exterior fabric of the home was virtually intact, but in poor condition. Gable trim was salvageable and left in place with new siding & trim boards. To more accurately reflect the original architect’s plans, the Morrisons replaced the shingle ornamentation in the south gable on the front of the home to a half-timbered, panel design. Last spring, newly fabricated cedar shingles, replicating the originals, were installed. According to Mary Beth, one of the more challenging aspects of their work was selecting a color scheme. The couple went all the way back to an 1883 source, Comstock's Modern House Painting for ideas.
When the Morrisons removed a 1950s-era screened porch from the home’s NW corner, they found a smaller, earlier, poured concrete stoop, which they now use. They have removed an exterior door on the west elevation previously utilized for an upstairs apartment. Their projects also included moving a 2nd floor window on the west elevation to align with a 1st floor window and converting a single window to a double window, also on the west elevation.
Through hard work, diligence and research, the Morrisons have returned this Queen Anne home to its original beauty.
HCCA - Interior Rehabilitation
Currently home to the Hamilton County Artists’ Association, The First Baptist Church at 195 S. 5th Street was constructed 1873-1875. This simple, wood-frame church served congregations for more than 120 years before its renovation in 2006-07. With support from the City of Noblesville, the restoration project was a collaborative effort involving the Efroymson Fund, Legacy Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Th Birdie Fund and the Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission.
The restoration began with the removal of carpeting and paneling from the interior, plaster repairs and painting. The group removed, refinished and re-installed window & door casings and baseboard trim. The floor joists were repaired and the floors refinished. The roof beams were realigned. Windows repairs included new sash cords and reglazing where necessary. The pulpit area, used by the well-known minister, Barney Stone, remains intact. The church was completely rewired and pendant light fixtures (probably pre-1922) were retained. Modifications to the structure include a handicapped-accessible restroom and small entry vestibule.
Through countless volunteer hours, this historic church structure continues to serve our community while retaining its religious heritage.
Judy Cass - Josiah K. Durfee Award
Josiah K. Durfee’s architectural and engineering talents were applied to a diverse collection of properties, many of which remain today. His notable accomplishments include Potter’s Covered Bridge and the Model Mill, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Josiah Durfee Award is given at the discretion of the NPA’s Board of Directors on behalf of the NPA membership to the local citizen or organization that has made the most significant positive contribution to NPA’s mission. Outstanding achievement in historic preservation may be a single event or a cumulative contribution over several years.
Before NPA even existed, Judy worked to preserve Noblesville’s historical treasures and quality of life. She was a major player in the Historic Logan Street organization, which worked to protest the city’s idea of paving Logan St. and making it a one-way street. She is a long-time NPA member, serving on the board and as its secretary and president. During this time, she worked with the community and local newspapers to raise NPA’s visibility. She networked tirelessly with the city and non-profit organizations, including Noblesville Main Street, Noblesville Chamber of Commerce and Hamilton County Historical Society.
Judy and her husband “restored” the outside of their former home onhistoric Logan Street to look like the original. It was on the Home Tour in both 1993 and 2005. Judy has written and edited grants, is a founding member of Keep Noblesville Beautiful, and worked many, many times on NPA’s Garden and Home Tours. She is now a member of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Mel Joliff - Neighborhood Award
Supports efforts to “reclaim” Old Town neighborhoods for residential use, enhancing the rich quality of life in Old Town.
Mel Jolliff, with his wife, Nancy, has contributed to Noblesville neighborhoods since 1996. Mel served on the Board of NPA for several years. More recently, he has served as President of the Noblesville Historic Commission seeking to establish local districts in Noblesville’s historic neighborhoods. Mel and Nancy have also restored seven homes in the Old Town area, some of which were in danger of losing their usefulness.
Mel currently works as broker for Robin Run Village, a continuing care retirement community in Indianapolis. Prior to that he owned Hearthstone Realty LLC, a family-held real estate company in Noblesville, providing commercial real estate services including brokerage, hands-on construction and asset management services.
