George Kirgo, who represents the Writers Guild on the preservation board, is skeptical.

The hearing to place the property on the state register, initially scheduled to be heard by the historic preservation board this month, has been postponed at least until December, said Ms. Jimenez.

(His selection must be approved by the island's 12-member preservation board.)

The city appointed a preservation board of architects, art historians and preservationists to determine what buildings, districts or sites should be given landmark status.

Within the past year, an effort has been made by the local historic preservation board and the City of Douglas to assist the dedicated Odd Fellows in preserving this unique structure.

"It's really imposing, and a lot of the preservation board thinks that housing wasn't a really good use."

"Congress didn't give us a very clear idea of what it meant by material alteration," says Eric Schwartz, counsel to the preservation board.

Mr. Callahan said the village's historic preservation board would be reviewing the buildings.

In May 2012, Governor Mead and his wife received an award from the city's historic preservation board in recognition of their work to restore the building's interior to match its original design.

Any plan for demolition or major alterations would have to be approved by the village's historical preservation board.