Martha Tuttle, Betts rescuer

Historic preservation became her passion

By Rebecca Goodman
rgoodman@enquirer.com

Martha Tuttle, former president of the board of trustees of the Betts House Research Center, died Sept. 25. She was 92.

A hero of the local preservation movement, Mrs. Tuttle worked to save and restore the Betts House and turn it into a museum, according to Julie Carpenter, spokeswoman for the Betts House Research Center.

"Martha had a deep impact on our whole city and is an example of an extraordinary woman whose vision became a reality," said Sally Connelly, president of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America Ohio. "She was the heart and soul of the Betts House."

Back in the late 1980s, Mrs. Tuttle visited the federal-style Betts House, built in 1804 by William Betts, her great-great-great-grandfather. Her mother, Florence McCrea Benedict, was born in the house, which is a couple of blocks from Music Hall in the West End. Mrs. Tuttle was "shocked and saddened at the condition of the house," Carpenter said. "She made it her mission to save it - not only because of her personal ties to the house, but also because of its importance in Cincinnati's history." The Betts House is the oldest house still on its original site in the city and the oldest brick house in Ohio.

In 1981, Cincinnati acquired the Betts House along with several others in what is known as the Betts-Longworth Historic District. The city wanted developers to create an economically and racially diverse community. But the properties sat vacant and deteriorated. Beginning in 1987, Mrs. Tuttle began writing letters to the city and the state, asking for help in saving the Betts House.

The National Society of Colonial Dames of America Ohio obtained ownership of the house and Mrs. Tuttle enlisted the help of other organizations to raise money to restore it.

During the renovation, she visited the house every week and helped make every decision regarding the work. Thanks to Mrs. Tuttle's tenacity and diligence, the Betts House was restored and received awards, including from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and the Miami Purchase Association.

"Were it not for her love, commitment and sense of history, this special place may have been lost," Carpenter said. "Now it is a resource for the community to enjoy."

Mrs. Tuttle also established the Betts House Research Center, a museum dedicated to the study of building materials and traditions. It opened in 1996. She was president of the board of trustees for several years.

"Martha was a woman of vision," said Robert Dorsey, former president of the Betts House board. "She was motivated to save the house and upgrade the entire neighborhood. Twenty years later, the Betts House is a thriving institution and the neighborhood is stable and improving."

Mrs. Tuttle was also a benefactress of the University of Cincinnati, where her father, Harris Benedict, was the first head of the botany department. She was also an accomplished artist.

Mrs. Tuttle was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Tuttle Sr., in 2000, and two children, Martha Tuttle and Capt. McCrea Benedict Tuttle.

Survivors include a daughter, Elisabeth Tuttle Miller of Maysville; a son, Richard Tuttle Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo; and a granddaughter.

Services have been held.

Memorial gifts are suggested to the Betts House Research Center, 416 Clark St., Cincinnati, OH 45203.