Mariemont Preservation Foundation (MPF) records, stores, and protects our community’s collective memory. This became particularly important when a fire heavily damaged a historic multi-family home on Murray in the Historic District. MPF has on file historical records, photographs, documents, blueprints, and even stories from past residents. Original blueprints of the structure damaged in the recent fire are stored at MPF and have been made available to the building’s owner.
The building involved in the fire is part of the Mackenzie group, built in 1924. Clinton Mackenzie of New York designed the 3 housing groups on Murray Avenue, the 4 housing groups on Beech Avenue and the apartment on the corner. The buildings are styled with half-timbered facades and stuccoed walls.
MPF archivist, Linda E. Scott scanned the large blueprints to provide digital access, and has supplied other specifications and photos to the Village and the building owner. Two publications produced by MPF have proven especially useful in this process, the Survey and Recommendations for Mariemont Historical Properties and Multifamily Apartment Building Assessment & Needs Analysis Study, by Architecture One. Linda also included correspondence that was sent by Charles Livingood, Mary Emery’s business manager, to some of the architects with required specifications for group housing projects.
According to Rosie Polter, Executive Director of MPF, “The Foundation’s archival materials provide an essential record of what once existed, and help guide restoration or reconstruction efforts by providing accurate historic details about design, materials, and original intent.”
Mariemont Preservation Foundation archives are an invaluable resource at all times, but are especially important when tragedy strikes.
Last modified: May 7, 2026
