Write a commentThe Oswego Renaissance Association (ORA) has launched a program to incentivize property owners to paint their homes in historic colors. The `Paint Oswego` program provides a free booklet of historic color schemes for the City of Oswego, and inventive funds for property owners if they use colors from the booklet when painting their homes this year.
The goal of the Paint Oswego program is to provide Oswegonians with an opportunity to complement their historic homes by choosing from among the many house colors that existed in 19th and early 20th centuries.
The ORA hired Robert Schweitzer and his firm Historic House Colors from Ann Arbor, MI, to create the booklet specifically for Oswego's homes. Robert Schweitzer has taught architectural history and historic preservation at The University of Michigan, the University of Toledo and Eastern Michigan University for over 25 years. He is the former Director of Research for the Arts & Crafts Society. Rob has written for many popular magazines including Victorian Homes, Cottages & Bungalows, as well as American Bungalow, where is a former advisory board member.
One home has already used the paint schemes recommended by Schweitzer, the former Sigma Gamma house at 53 West Seneca Street in the City of Oswego. The home is currently owners by Oswego residents Steven Phillips and Paul Stewart, who "couldn't be happier" with the results.
The Paint Oswego program is the second program offered by the ORA geared to strategically revitalizing 4 targeted areas in the City of Oswego. The ORA also launched the Renaissance Block Challenge grants on April 2. This program partners with neighborhoods to provide matching funds to exterior work on homes and streets.
Tanya Miller, a homeowner on West 4th Street, has been organizing her neighbors to apply. "Our area of West 4th and Schuyler has had an overwhelmingly positive response to the program, with planned projects ranging from new fencing to garden plantings to new siding," noted Miller. "I myself am planning to have my house painted in a Victorian era color palette and could not be more excited. The most rewarding aspect of the program so far, however, has been the opportunity I have had to get to know so many more of my wonderful neighbors.
The "Paint Oswego" program along with the booklet of historically correct color schemes can be found on the ORA's website; www.oswegonyonline.com. The use of the program and color schemes is free. Property owners can also apply for a $200 grant towards the costs associated with painting if the colors are used.
