Years of restoration efforts by Wendy Adams and her husband, Eugene Pometto, to their home in Relay that was built in 1934 earned the couple a Baltimore County Historical Trust 2008 Preservation Award. (Staff photo by Eli Meir Kaplan)
Relay couple in line for Preservation Award
Renovation work has continued for five years
By Marcia Ames
Posted 6/19/08
When Wendy Adams and her husband, Eugene Pometto, bought their 1930s house in Relay five yeas ago, they began a renovation project that has not stopped.
After spending thousands of dollars on paint, roofing, walls, plumbing, heating, wiring, flooring, insulation and other improvements, the couple still plans for additional roofing and a new porch.
But the results so far are worth the cost, said Adams, who declined to say exactly how much the couple has spend on the renovations.
But their work so far is enough to merit some recognition.
On Thursday, June 19, Adams and Pometto are scheduled to receive a 2008 Preservation Award from the Baltimore County Historical Trust.
The award recognizes efforts to preserve "a part of BaltimoreCounty history," according to Patricia Bentz, the trust's executive director.
"Our house is built from the ruins of Avalon," Adams said, referring to a PatapscoRiver town that originated in the late 1700s but was abandoned in the late 1860s after repeated flooding.
Adams' and Pometto's house was built in 1934 of timber, brick and stone salvaged from the remains, according to documents from the historic trust.
Neither had ever attempted such a historically significant project as the renovation, nor were they trained for it.
Pometto is Chief of Workforce Development for the Maryland Transportation Authority. He and Adams both are writers and consultants on career and business success.
Adams' ties to the Relay area run deep. She grew up there, moved away in 1973 and was living in Baltimore when she and Pometto decided to return to her roots in 2003.
A real estate advertisement drew them to the house.
"I told Gene that I wanted to buy the property even before seeing the interior," she said, recalling their first visit to the house.
Listed as "Avalon" on the official county landmarks list, the 4-acre estate overlooks the PatapscoValleyState Park and the PatapscoRiver near Interstate 95. The owners asked that the street and house number not be published because they've had unwanted visitors in recent months.
In preserving the house, the couple adhered to "environmental sustainability" as well as history, using old materials instead of new whenever possible, she said.
The site includes an Arts and Crafts Mission-style main house and club house as well as a guest house and a detached garage.
The guest house and detached garage were built in the late 1940s and are "inspired" by the Craftsman Movement" or you might say "informal rustic."
The club house is a detached building with a fireplace, kitchenette area and lots of windows.
Adams and Pometto sought the county landmark status, which was approved by the County Council in December 2003.
They are seeking tax credits for some of their renovation expenses, she said, referring to state and county tax credit programs that foster the preservation of historic properties.
Pleased to see Adams and Pometto "return it to its glory," Lucy McKean, a former member and chairwoman of the Historic Trust board of directors, nominated Avalon for the preservation award.
Avalon's ownership had changed hands several times over the past few decades and at one point it was divided into rentals.
"I admire what they have done because I've known the house all my life, seen it go downhill and seen them return it to its glory," said McKean, their neighbor, whose family has lived in Relay for three generations.