Nominations sought for Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame

Photos by Tom Rivers: This stone carving of a face is part of the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia, which was named to the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame in 2017.

MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame cancelled last year’s induction due to Covid-19 restrictions which made the committee reluctant to travel around the state and into Pennsylvania for site inspections.

The committee also didn’t feel right inviting the owners of the sandstone sites for a celebration, while Covid was so prevalent in the community.

But the Hall of Fame committee is ready to accept nominations again and to go on site visits. An induction ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. on Oct. 21 in Medina’s City Hall.

The Hall of Fame committee is seeking nominations for prominent buildings made of Medina Sandstone that are well-maintained and architecturally significant.

Since the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame was created in 2013, the society has inducted churches, public buildings, private buildings and other ornamental buildings/structures, such as the Civil War Memorial at Mount Albion Cemetery. There have now been 29 inductees and 59 nominees into the exclusive club.

People can nominate a site by filling out a form: www.sandstonesociety.org/hof-nominations.

This year’s class could include nominations from previous years not already selected, and any new nominations received by June 30.

Criteria for consideration shall include age, beauty, longevity, structural soundness, and architectural uniqueness. If possible nomination information should have full background and documentation, and, at the very least, should give a name and phone number to be contacted for further information or a website.

The Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia opened in 1889. It was built of Medina sandstone. The site utilizes gray Medina sandstone and red sandstone from Albion. It was built in a Richardson Romanesque style, with rounded windows and arches.