Perched atop a hill in the heart of Kirtland, the Joseph and Emma Smith Home has seen its share of residents and architectural changes over nearly 200 years of history. Related Articles Owner of Arabica in Willoughby reflects on changes in small coffee business Decibells will present spring concert titled ‘Decades’ Concord Township, Painesville announce outdoor summer concert schedules Painesville Arts and Culture Council plans adult prom Lake County Clergy vs. Law Enforcement basketball game fun for all In recent years, though, researchers and workers collaborated to take the house back in time to when it was built in the 1830s. Back then, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founder Joseph Smith lived there with his family. Those restoration efforts were recently recognized by the Cleveland Restoration Society and American Institute of Architects’ Cleveland chapter. They awarded the house the Award of Merit for the Reconstruction of a Religious Landmark, one of their 2025 Celebration of Preservation Awards. “It was a unique nomination in that the home is being used as part of a museum that tells events related to the history of the region and a religion,” said Cleveland Restoration Society’s Margaret Lann in an email. “The jury was especially impressed with the amount of research that was done prior to the reconstruction, something that is not easily done on a home that is almost 200 years old and has been through multiple reconfigurations. “They also appreciated the careful balance of preservation and reconstruction techniques that were paired with application of materials that will allow the building to perform as a museum and tourist destination for what we hope is next 100 years,” she added. Nate Johnson, president of the church’s Kirtland Stake, said that it was “thrilled with this recognition.” “Awards like this are not necessarily why we pursue these restorations, but it certainly is just gratifying because there were so many who worked so hard on the research and the restoration itself that it’s great to see them recognized,” Johnson said. He said that the church bought the house in 2012. The house was used as lodging for church missionaries, and the church researched how the structure would have looked when finished in 1833. The church tapped Cleveland-based DS Architecture for the project, and Johnson said that construction work began in May 2022. The house opened to visitors in August 2023. DS Architecture Design Director Eric Pros said that the generations that lived there after the Smiths added onto the house. The company worked to restore it to its original scale. “This is one of those few projects where when you’re done with it, it’s actually smaller and less grand than when you started,” Pros said. “But in this case, the history was more important.” He added that the team brought the house’s roof line down to match the original design. On the other end of the structure, they elevated it off of the foundation so they could complete foundation work. The team also looked for ways to balance historic accuracy and modern needs. Pros said that workers modernized the structure’s insulation and waterproofing, but they added materials both inside and outside of those features so visitors would not be able to tell that anything is in-between. He added that they also tucked various bits of modern technology – temperature control, security systems and WiFi – into the structure’s nonfunctional fireplace. Outside, they used a wax polymer substance to give the appearance of a dirt path, though it is a water-impervious surface that will not get muddy. Accessibility was another concern since the structure serves as a museum, Pros said. The dirt-like path is designed to be wheelchair accessible, and a ramp was added to the entrance at the back of the house. The crew brought that same concern for accuracy to the house’s interior. “Great care was taken to use period-appropriate furniture, period-appropriate furnishings,” Pros said. “All these different items you see inside here were either sourced locally or built to replicate what would have been there historically.” He added that some of the furnishings are thought to be original to the home. A replica of the desk where both Joseph and Emma Smith worked is in the living room of the restored home near Historic Kirtland. The Smiths’ original dining table in the background is on loan from the Lake County History Center. (Janet Podolak - For The News-Herald)At the restored Joseph and Emma Smith Home in Historic Kirtland, a laundry basket next to the kitchen’s fireplace holds clothing replicating that worn by the three children raised in the modest house. The kitchen’s fireplace was used to dry the washed clothes. (Janet Podolak - For The News-Herald)Show Caption1 of 2A replica of the desk where both Joseph and Emma Smith worked is in the living room of the restored home near Historic Kirtland. The Smiths’ original dining table in the background is on loan from the Lake County History Center. (Janet Podolak - For The News-Herald)Expand “The project wasn’t done to get awards, that’s not the point, it was about telling their story and preserving the history,” Pros said. “But of course it’s great to be recognized with awards and accolades for all the hard work that goes into it, so for me, it was just affirmation to the team that the project was well done, and other peers in the region also agreed that it was well done.” Visitors have turned out to see the restored structure – Johnson said that more than 30,000 people visited the home in 2024. The museum’s webpage states that Joseph and Emma Smith lived at that house for more than four years, starting in 1833. It was the home that they spent the most time in together. Pros said that in addition to being a living space, the Smiths also used the house as a meeting space and a center for study. Latter-day Saints, who have historically been referred to as Mormons, also believe that Joseph Smith received revelations there. “Restoration projects like the Smith home are an important educational tool,” said Lann from the Cleveland Restoration Society. “In this case, the house stands to educate visitors about regional and religious history. It is an example of how people lived in the Western Reserve in the 1830s. It is also a tangible connection to the founder of what is now a worldwide religion.” The Joseph and Emma Smith Home is located at 8980 Chillicothe Road, with parking available next to the house on Conley Road. The church’s website states that it is open for tours from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. ...read more read less