MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Landmarks Foundation will open the doors of one of Knox County’s historic properties to the public on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. at 6 W. Lamartine St.
The community is invited to tour the foundation’s restored Lustron House, learn about the organization’s decades of preservation work, meet members and supporters of KCLF, and discover opportunities to become part of the next generation of historic preservation in Knox County.
This is more than an open house. It is an invitation to see what can happen when a community decides that its historic buildings are worth saving.
A rare piece of American history saved in Mount Vernon
The Lustron House is an extraordinary example of post-World War II American innovation. Built almost entirely of porcelain-enameled steel, Lustron homes were designed to provide durable, affordable housing during the postwar housing shortage. Only a limited number were produced.
The Mount Vernon house is the last remaining Lustron home in Knox County.
The Knox County Landmarks Foundation acquired the property in 2018 and ultimately made the decision to preserve the house in its original location rather than move it elsewhere. Restoration work began in 2019.
What followed was a community preservation effort involving volunteers, donors, tradespeople, students and community organizations. The rehabilitation included new mechanical systems and extensive restoration work while respecting the character and original design of the home.
KCLF’s website recognizes the contributions of Lowe’s, Custom Cutters, Traditions
Engraving, Knox County Master Gardeners, Hope Now, Knox County Career Center/JVS students, Eagle Scouts and United Aggregates, among others, whose time, expertise or
materials helped bring the property back to life.
Today, the Lustron serves not only as a preserved historic property but also as a community asset and short-term rental. Proceeds help support the foundation’s preservation mission.
KCLF believes the Lustron House represents one of the most unique historic short-term lodging experiences in Knox County — a place where visitors can actually stay inside a piece of American architectural history.
A legacy of preservation
The Lustron is only one chapter in the story of the Knox County Landmarks Foundation.
Founded in 1988 as the Knox County Renaissance Foundation, KCLF was created to encourage and promote the preservation and development of Knox County’s historic, cultural and architectural heritage.
Its mission today remains straightforward: to preserve, promote and protect Knox County’s rich historic legacy through restoration, recognition and awareness.
Over the years, the foundation and its volunteers have helped make preservation an active part of the community. Among KCLF’s documented projects and initiatives are:
–The Lustron House, 6 W. Lamartine St. Acquisition, stabilization and extensive restoration of Knox County’s last remaining Lustron home, transforming a property once threatened by demolition into a preserved community asset and short-term rental.
–The Historic Odd Fellows Building, 112–144 S. Main St. KCLF purchased the circa-1858 Italianate building in 2009. With support from the Ariel Foundation, Community Foundations and the Daughters of the American Revolution, the building underwent extensive renovation while preserving its Victorian-era character.
–Mound View Cemetery Chapel. KCLF has participated in the long-term restoration of the remarkable Victorian Gothic chapel, including work involving the roof, windows, drainage, stonework, ironwork, woodwork, plaster, paint, lighting and security. Preservation of the historic encaustic tile floor remains an important challenge.
–Reinvesting in Historic Homes Update Program — ReHHUP. Through ReHHUP, KCLF has provided financial assistance and preservation guidance to property owners undertaking exterior improvements to historic homes. The program has evolved to serve homes throughout the City of Mount Vernon and can also assist owners with contractor questions, historic research and potential National Register efforts.
–Downtown historic murals. KCLF has helped bring historic storytelling into the streets of Mount Vernon through a series of large-scale murals depicting the city’s architecture, theater, downtown life, Masonic history and industrial heritage. The murals include works completed in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
–Historic barn tours. For years, KCLF has helped residents and visitors discover Knox County’s rural architectural heritage through historic barn tours. The foundation’s history page notes that its volunteers have sponsored numerous historical tours, while longtime board members helped develop and produce the early Knox County Barn Tours.
–Preservation recognition and awards. KCLF has established a tradition of recognizing property owners, businesses and organizations whose work protects Knox County’s architectural heritage. Recent examples include the foundation’s recognition of Joel Mazza for the preservation and adaptive reuse of the former Mount Vernon High School/Middle School on North Mulberry Street and Mona Nacey for the preservation of the historic Russell-Cooper House.
–Historic advocacy and community education. From its earliest years, KCLF has advocated for preservation rather than unnecessary demolition and has promoted historic tourism as an important part of the county’s future. Its history also includes involvement in the establishment of the Knox County Visitors Bureau, development of the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival and efforts associated with the restoration of the historic Woodward Opera House.
West High Street: Preserving the front porch of Mount Vernon
Another important chapter of KCLF’s current work is the ongoing rehabilitation and
beautification effort along West High Street, particularly the 700 through 900 blocks.
In 2026, KCLF launched a program encouraging property owners in this corridor to make improvements to their historic homes. The initiative grew from KCLF’s ReHHUP preservation efforts and is intended to improve the appearance of an important entrance into Mount Vernon while helping protect the community’s historic housing stock.
These blocks contain homes that reflect the architectural development of Mount Vernon and, in some cases, date back to the mid-19th century.
KCLF sees an opportunity not merely to improve individual properties, but to help homeowners and landlords recognize the tremendous value already present in these neighborhoods.
The foundation intends to continue assisting property owners who want to preserve, rehabilitate and thoughtfully improve historic homes.
The goal is simple: save the buildings, strengthen the neighborhoods and make historic
preservation something that benefits the people who live there today.
A new chapter: Partnering with Mount Vernon Nazarene University
At the Oct. 11 open house, KCLF will announce a new collaboration with Mount Vernon Nazarene University focused on strengthening the foundation’s digital presence through social media, website development and modern communications.
The partnership represents a natural connection between education, technology and historic preservation.
KCLF has a long history of working with members of the MVNU community. Local artist and MVNU art professor John Donnelly created several of the foundation-supported downtown murals, including the theater mural, Masonic mural and Mount Vernon industry mural.
Now, KCLF and MVNU are looking toward the future.
Through this collaboration, students will have an opportunity to engage with a living
organization whose work connects history, architecture, communications, tourism, technology and community development.
Free KCLF membership for college students
As part of this new initiative, the Knox County Landmarks Foundation is announcing free membership for college students for as long as they remain enrolled in college.
And KCLF means exactly that. Any college student may participate, regardless of where they attend school or where they come from.
Whether a student is from Mount Vernon, another part of Ohio, another state or anywhere else in the free world, KCLF wants young people to have a place at the table.
Historic preservation cannot simply be about looking backward. It must also be about giving the next generation the opportunity to understand, protect and shape the places that will become their history.
What comes next?
The Oct. 11 open house is also about the future.
KCLF is inviting homeowners, landlords, students, preservationists, history enthusiasts, business owners, community leaders and anyone who loves Knox County to come inside the Lustron House and talk about what could come next.
What historic building needs help? What house could be saved? What neighborhood could be revitalized? What story has not yet been told?
What project could become possible with one more volunteer, one more donor, one more property owner — or one more person who simply decides to get involved?
The Knox County Landmarks Foundation believes the answers to those questions are already standing throughout our community.
Some are grand.
Some are modest.
Some date to the 1850s.
And some, like the Lustron House, represent an entirely different era of American history.
All of them matter.