The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia has awarded a 2025 Grand Jury Award to Fairmount Park Conservancy for the restoration and adaptive reuse of Ohio House in West Fairmount Park. This historic building now serves as the primary office for the Conservancy and an accessible hub for park stewardship.
Ohio House was one of 26 “state houses” built for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. The building was designed to showcase Ohio’s natural resources, and made of sandstone mined from 21 of the state’s quarries.
Today, the Gothic-Revival-style building is one of the few park buildings that remain from the Exhibition, and the only state house still standing. Fairmount Park Conservancy’s preservation team restored the house’s three porches, replaced the deteriorating floor structures, and strengthened the chimney’s original brickwork. In addition to these repairs, the team added removable partition walls with modern, complementary trim to create a functional space for the Conservancy’s staff and operations while preserving the building’s historic integrity.
Thank you to the Preservation Alliance for recognizing the success of our conservation efforts!
Learn more about the Center for Parks at Ohio House
Photos by Industry & Commerce Image Works
