HARMONY — Local historical preservation efforts will be recognized at the 50th annual Harmoniefest.

Harmoniefest will begin at 6 p.m. March 11 at Stewart Hall.

Three preservation efforts will be recognized this year.

“It’s something many people in the community are very prideful of, to be able to bring that charm back,” said lifelong borough resident Kasey Stewart, who will receive a Heritage Award this year.

Stewart, along with his wife, Samantha, have renovated their home at 305 Mercer Street, which was built around 1890.

When the Stewarts bought the home in 2013, they were debating whether to keep it as a rental with multiple units.

The home had a leaky roof, water damage and broken pipes. It was vacant for years before the Stewarts bought it.

“It was in pretty bad shape,” Kasey Stewart said. “We started to tear everything out. My wife saw some of the original components of the house and said, ‘There is no way you’re renting this out. You’re turning it into a one-unit (home).’”

Work done on the home included gutting the interior, re-insulating the walls and installing pine floors to keep the “authentic” feel.

“Unfortunately there was no original molding or woodwork. If there was, there was very little,” Stewart said. “We tried to make it look original.”

The original siding and trim to the house also was restored. Stewart said aluminum siding and Insul-Brick were removed.

This will be Stewart’s second Heritage Award. He won his first in 2015 after doing a similar project at another borough home on Liberty Street.

“I’m honored to receive the award, to be able to add that historic value back to the community,” he said.

Tim and Rhonda Eppinger will receive a Heritage Commendation for their work on their farmhouse at 764 Spring St., which was built around 1900.

“It’s an honor to be recognized like this in a town where history is so highly valued,” Tim Eppinger said.

The Eppingers had the house gutted to the original studs before using new replacement materials. New windows, siding and porches also were installed, Rhonda Eppinger said.

The couple moved into the home two years ago. Eppinger said the project took about three years to complete.

Patricia Kipin also will also receive a Heritage Commendation for work performed on her Jackson Street home.

Kipin’s home, bought in 2014, had brickwork redone to match the design from the 1800s while having an addition built onto her home. The house originally was a Mennonite establishment built around 1825.

“Part of it (brickwork) had been burned in 1990, so they ended up painting it white,” Kipin said. “When I put the addition on, I was going to have it painted, but I had so many people like it the way it is, that I haven’t done anything to it.”

Kipin said the addition came under criticism when it was being planned in 2015. However, it was eventually approved.

“I’m pleased,” she said. “I thank them (Historic Harmony) for the award.”

Volunteers who have put in thousands of hours of work on behalf of Harmony Museum activities during the past year also will be recognized at Harmoniefest.

The night will start with a wine-and-cheese reception, and dinner will be served afterward.

Musical entertainment will include historical songs.

Harmoniefest commemorates the founding of the Harmonist Society 213 years ago.

Paid reservations are required by Tuesday afternoon by contacting the Harmony Museum, 724-452-7341 or hmuseum@zoominternet.net.