Preservation League of NYS

Old Albany Post Road Named One Of ‘Seven To Save’

June 19, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Preservation League of New York State has named a 6-mile section of the Old Albany Post Road in Putnam County to its list of the Empire State’s most threatened historic resources, Seven to Save.

This path between the settlements that would become known as Albany and New York City followed earlier trails established by the Native residents of the region. It provided for movement of troops, supplies and postal mail during the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. Connecting homes in a sparsely settled area of Garrison, the Old Albany Post Road still retains landscape features from Colonial times and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [Read more…] about Old Albany Post Road Named One Of ‘Seven To Save’

Nominations Sought for 2014-15 “Seven to Save” List

September 16, 2013 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Preservation League is seeking nominations from local and regional preservation organizations, advocacy groups, municipalities and others for its 2014-15 list of New York State’s most endangered places, Seven to Save.

Since 1999, the Preservation League has highlighted New York’s most threatened historic sites through its Seven to Save list, which now provides two years of enhanced services from the League to bolster visibility and build support for preservation. [Read more…] about Nominations Sought for 2014-15 “Seven to Save” List

Preservation League Seeks Nominations for 2013

December 20, 2012 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Preservation League of New York State is seeking nominations for its 2013 Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards, which recognize significant achievements in historic preservation throughout New York State.

The postmark deadline for nominations is February 14, 2013. The awards will be presented during the Preservation League’s Annual Meeting on May 15, 2013 in New York City at the historic New York Yacht Club. [Read more…] about Preservation League Seeks Nominations for 2013

Historians Should Promote Preservation

March 21, 2012 by Gerald R. Smith 1 Comment

In recent articles several authors have pointed out the multifaceted world that is New York history. Museums, historical societies, historical agencies on all levels and the local government historians all play a role in our efforts to ensure the continued importance of this state’s history and heritage. Is this the right approach or should there be a more top down method to our madness? Whatever your answer is to that question, the same divergent pattern is found in historic preservation in the Empire State. [Read more…] about Historians Should Promote Preservation

Enhancing Main St: Making Upper Floors Work Again

August 24, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Enhancing Main Street: Making Upper Floors Work Again is a free workshop that will be presented by the Preservation League of New York State on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Saranac Laboratory, 89 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY.

This program will provide immediately useful information for property owners, developers, and preservation professionals including historic site managers, architects, consultants and accountants dealing with preservation project financing.

This workshop is in very high demand across New York State and this is the only time it is being offered in the North Country in 2011. While the workshop is free, seating is limited, and participants must register by Friday, September 16, 2011 for the 9/20 program.

The workshop’s featured presenters will include:

* Historic Preservation Program Analyst William Krattinger from the NYS Historic Preservation Office, who will discuss the advantages of Historic District designation;

* Joe Fama, architect and Executive Director of the Troy Architectural Program in Troy, who will explain how New York’s building codes and preservation can work together;

* Karl Gustafson of NYS Homes and Community Renewal, who will provide information on the New York State Main Street Program; and

* Gary Beasley, Executive Director of Neighbors of Watertown, who will discuss making the best use of upper floors.

Enhancing Main Street: Making Upper Floors Work Again is presented by the Preservation League of New York State and sponsored by Historic Saranac Lake; Adirondack Architectural Heritage; Empire State Development Corp., NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; and NYS Homes and Community Renewal.

Excellence in Preservation Awards Announced

May 4, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Preservation League of New York State has selected the interior restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany to receive an award for Excellence in Historic Preservation.

The League’s statewide awards program honors notable achievements in retaining, promoting and reusing New York State’s irreplaceable architectural heritage.

“As the lengthy exterior restoration project continues on this Patrick Keely-designed Cathedral, the Awards Jury felt that it was fitting to recognize the completion of the interior restoration effort,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. “After a century and a half of continuous use, the ornate interior has been returned to its former glory.”

Contributing to the success of this project were Reverend William H. Pape, Rector, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; Elizabeth Simcoe, Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany; Laurence F. Wilson, Lynn Webster, Robert N. Pierpont and Katherine Onufer, Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects; Richard Zandri, Geoff Miles, and Ed Kaczynski, Zandri Construction Corporation, A. Curtis Wilsey, P.E., Quantum Engineering Co. PC; Dennis Fleischer, Ph.D., MuSonics; Naomi Miller, FIESNA, FIALD, LC, Naomi Miller Lighting Design; and Jack C. Healy, P.E., Ryan-Biggs Associates, PC.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, completed in 1852, is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture. The building’s grand interior features a ribbed vaulted ceiling with ornate cast plaster bosses and robust clustered columns creating a series of archways throughout the space. Last painted in 1946, the interior was a monochrome brown. Close inspection revealed that much of the plasterwork was in need of repair, and water-damaged walls, ceilings, and cracked and gouged moldings were visible throughout the structure. The interior restoration is part of a decades-long effort to restore and rejuvenate the Cathedral to ensure that it continues to serve as a landmark of architectural excellence for the city of Albany.

According to William H. Pape, Rector of the Cathedral, “The restoration brings to life many of the architectural details that were hidden by the last painting of the interior more than 60 years ago. The color palette was painstakingly researched, and is based on the completed interior of 1892. The historic terra-cotta colored faux-stone scheme is frequently perceived by visitors as real stone. The base color and hand-applied glazing is warm, welcoming and maintains a sense of awe. “

The award will be presented at the Preservation League’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Interior, Albany County; The Franklin Building, Jefferson County; The Knox Building, the New York Public Library Exterior, and Pierpont Morgan’s 1906 Library Interior, all in New York County; 1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, Onondaga County; and Montour House, Schuyler County. Uncovering the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism and African American Life in Wayne County, New York: 1820-1880 by Judith Wellman and Marjory Allen Perez will be honored as an outstanding publication. CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity in Syracuse will be honored for organizational excellence. Howard Kirschenbaum will be honored for individual excellence for his contribution to historic preservation in the Adirondack Park.

“In New York State, the preservation and reuse of our historic buildings is fundamental to the economic revitalization of our cities, towns, and villages. The League’s annual Awards program allows us to share preservation success stories that may one day serve as inspiration to others,” said DiLorenzo. “Each year, we are impressed by the number and variety of laudable nominations, and this year was no exception. We are delighted to present this award for the interior restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and to give the effort the statewide recognition it deserves.”

The Preservation League’s Excellence in Historic Preservation awards program is funded by a generous grant from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation of Miami, Florida.

Photo: Interior of Albany’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, courtesy MCWB Architects.

Historic Preservation ‘Code Green’ Workshops

May 3, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Preservation League of New York State and The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are presenting around the state a series of a two-day CODE GREEN workshop designed for contractors, architects and other building professionals.

The workshops focus on energy conservation issues of interest to those who work in older buildings, but who do not specialize in historic preservation or historic structures.

For example, a contractor hired to insulate a 1920s residence or an architect who wants to understand the application of air sealants for a mixed-use building rehabilitation would come away with information that would help them better serve their clients. Participants will receive technical information on the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State – 2010 and its applications for historic buildings in both classroom and field presentations.

The first workshop will take place Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 8am-4pm each day. Day one will take place at Schenectady County Community College, Stockade Room 101 (78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady); day two includes a field session (1:00 to 4:00 p.m.), at the Schenectady County Historical Society, 32 Washington Avenue.

Registration costs $75 for 2 days, lunch included. Continuing Education credits are available for Architects: 6 LUs/HSW for each full-day of the two-day workshop, totaling 12 LUs/HSW for the two days. AIA members will also receive SD credits.

This is the first of a series of CODE GREEN workshops the League will present across New York State in the summer of 2011. Information on additional workshops is available on the League’s website.

Additioanl workshops will be held in Syracuse (June 16 and 17). Plattsburgh (June 23 and 24), Buffalo (July 14 and 15), Hempstead (August 4 and 5), and Elmira (August 18 and 19).

Applications Available for Preserve New York Grants

February 4, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Applications are now available to eligible municipalities and not-for-profit organizations to compete for funds through Preserve New York, a grant program of the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

A total of $90,444 is available for historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys. Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $10,000 each. The application deadline is May 2, 2011.

Examples of eligible projects include: historic structure reports for cultural institutions and public buildings; historic landscape reports for municipal parks; and cultural resource surveys of downtowns and residential neighborhoods.

In 2011, the Preservation League especially encourages projects that advance the preservation of neighborhoods and downtowns that qualify for the NYS Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit; preserve architecture and landscapes of the recent past; and continue the use of historic public buildings.

For Preserve New York Grant Program guidelines, visit the League’s website at www.preservenys.org. Prospective applicants should contact the Preservation League to discuss their projects and to request an application form.

The Preservation League of New York State is a private, not-for-profit organization that works to protect and enhance the Empire State’s historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods. The New York State Council on the Arts is the state’s arts funding agency. The Preservation League and NYSCA have collaborated on this grant program annually since 1993.

Organizations and municipalities receiving grant awards in 2010 were: Broome County (2): First Ward Action Council; Town of Vestal; Chemung County: City of Elmira; Cortland County: Cortland Downtown Partnership; Erie County (2): Allentown Association; Nash House Museum; Livingston County: Livingston County Historical Society; Montgomery County: Montgomery County Department of History and Archives; New York County: Two Bridges Neighborhood Council; Niagara County: Oakwood Cemetery Association; Onondaga County: Preservation Association of Central New York; Putnam County: Manitoga; Rensselaer County: Pittstown Historical Society; Schuyler County: Village of Watkins Glen; Ulster County: Jewish Federation of Ulster County; Westchester (2): Friends of Mozartina Musical Arts Conservatory, Inc.; City of Yonkers Department of Planning and Development.

Preservation League, NYSERDA Plan Workshops for 2011

January 12, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Preservation League of New York State recently entered into a partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to provide workshops throughout New York State that will address code compliance and energy conservation in existing and historic structures.

The League will offer a series of workshops in 2011, held regionally throughout New York State, specifically targeting the merging of historic preservation principles and practice with the requirements of the 2010 NYS Energy Conservation Construction Code.

“The technology for enhancing the energy efficiency of historic buildings is improving all the time,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. “The choices property owners make today can extend the useful life of their buildings and pay dividends for owners and residents both now and in the future.”

Additional information and a schedule of workshops will be made available on the League’s website at www.preservenys.org later in 2011.

Nominations Sought for Historic Preservation Awards

December 27, 2010 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Preservation League of New York State is seeking nominations for its 2011 Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards, which recognize significant achievements in historic preservation throughout New York State. The postmark deadline for nominations is February 18, 2011. The awards will be presented during the Preservation League’s Annual Meeting on May 12, 2011 in New York City at the historic New York Yacht Club.

“Given the growing concern about the economy and the environment, about jobs and sustainability, historic preservation is more relevant now than ever,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. “In New York State, preservation and reuse of our historic buildings is fundamental to the economic revitalization of our cities, towns, and villages. The restoration of our historic neighborhoods, Main Streets, and underutilized buildings creates jobs, provides housing, promotes tourism, stimulates private investment, and conserves energy, resources, and open space. Our annual Awards program allows us to share preservation success stories that may one day serve as inspiration to others.”

To download nomination forms, visit the Preservation League’s website at www.preservenys.org.

The 2010 Excellence Award recipients were: William S. Hackett Middle School, Albany; The Belmont Hotel, Allegany County; Walkway over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie; The Guaranty Building, Buffalo; The American Museum of Natural History, 77th Street Façades, New York; Empire State Building Lobby Restoration, New York; Oswego Public Library, Oswego; West Hall at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy. Looking for Work: Industrial Archeology in Columbia County, New York by Peter H. Stott (Syracuse University Press, 2007) will be honored as an outstanding publication. Senator David Valesky and Assemblymember Sam Hoyt, Legislative sponsors of the New York State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, will be honored for individual excellence.

For additional information please contact the Preservation League at 518-462-5658 x17; or by email at awards@preservenys.org.