Linda Aardema and Brian McGregor earned an award for the preservation of their house on South Broad Street.
Kamden Mulder | Collegian
The Hillsdale County Historical Society honored four local Hillsdale residents for preserving their historic homes at an annual ceremony on Oct. 23.
The society recognized Linda Aardema and Brian McGregor as well as Thomas and Celeste Kendall, for the historical architecture of their homes on South Broad Street and River Street. The Restoration, Beautification, and Preservation Award Ceremony was hosted at the Will Carleton Poorhouse.
Michael Braman, chair of the Committee for Restoration, Preservation, and Beautification, said that it is a joy to see people in the community put time and money into their historical homes.
“Each year we will do this and find homes that people put so much into restoring, not just for themselves, but for the history of Hillsdale,” Braman said. “People will see the homes on YouTube, and suddenly are driving to Hillsdale just to see it. It’s encouraging as someone who was born here to see things like that.”
Aardema and McGregor attended the event to accept an award for their property, Broad Street Manor, which they have preserved and currently use as a bed and breakfast in Hillsdale.
According to Linda Aardema, she and her husband Brian Mcgregor moved to Hillsdale after she sold her psychology practice in Birmingham, Michigan. The plan was to move to the northwest part of the lower peninsula to be with Aardema’s family, but the charm of Hillsdale drew them in.
“My daughter suggested that maybe if I could name the bedrooms at the bed and breakfast after my sisters, they would like that, and they wouldn’t be so upset that I’m not moving back,” Aardema said.
Kristine Stephenson, a Hillsdale resident, said she stayed at the Broad Street Manor to celebrate her 70th birthday.
“It was a lovely experience. They have beautiful grounds. They worked so much on all of their plants and things. It’s just a lovely place to walk through,” Stephenson said. “I can attest that they are a wonderful host and made the most memorable experience that I will remember my whole life.”
The Kendalls, who also received an award for the preservation of their home, were unable to attend.
Gene Letherer, the president of the HCHS, said that they have been hosting these award ceremonies for more than 20 years, highlighting anywhere from two to five historical buildings each year.
Nominations for these awards are not exclusively held for homes in the community.
“We’ve done businesses. In Pittsford we did DJ’s, because she worked on the original old Greek building. We did a barn out on Bacon Road,” Letherer said.
The historical society accepts nominations anytime, but typically requests that they are submitted by September, Letherer said. All members of the community are able to submit nominations.
There is also a nomination ballot that people are able to fill out, and it details the criteria for judging. Letherer said the board of the historical society facilitates the judging process.
The society offers three types of awards: restoration, preservation, and beautification.
“Restored structures are those that use only the materials that were available at the time they were built,” the HCHS website said. “Preserved structures look like they were renovated with the same materials. And beautified structures are those that needed someone to see the possibilities of a building that went to seed.”
Letherer said not all nominations are grand restoration projects, but rather some buildings are selected because they have a well-maintained yard, and that yard is a positive representation of the community.
“I saw a barn that I think I’m going to nominate next year,” Letherer said. “It’s well taken care of, and boy, is that awesome.”