2025-2026 Special Award of Merit
Richard & Shonda Orso
This Victorian cottage was constructed in 1895 by banker William H. Rockwell. Erected as a modest, 4-room house, the property’s first expansion occurred in early-20th century when the kitchen, originally located in an outbuilding, was moved to the house’s interior. A shed roof porch was also added to the west elevation.
The Orso’s purchased 217 E. Washington Street in 1991, using the building as offices for the Orso Insurance Agency. In 2020, the Orso’s decided to return office space to residential use, transitioning the property for use as their personal residence. The Orso’s were deliberate with their work – retaining, and rehabilitating – all doors, windows, and flooring. The kitchen was updated, bathrooms installed, with heart pine taken from the house and repurposed for these improvements. Landscaping was completed following the house’s rehabilitation.
