In many ways, New York is defined by its relationship to water. New York City and Long Island are surrounded by it. The Hudson River shoots north all the way into the Adirondacks. The Finger Lakes are home to picturesque landscapes and thriving communities. Lakes Ontario and Erie form our western border. And of course, the Erie Canal is the reason New York is called the Empire State. Our coastal, river-, lake-, and canal-side communities are rich in history. But being on the water can also put historic structures at risk – from natural erosion and increased flooding caused by climate change to development pressure caused by increased real estate value.

The League’s annual grant from the Donald Stephen Gratz Preservation Services Fund was awarded to the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica. The $12,000 grant will fund restoration of the portico at the Miller-Conkling-Kernan Residence at 3 Rutger Park. This 1830 Greek Revival mansion was designed by noted Albany architect Phillip Hooker. Because of its architectural significance and its association with several prominent historical figures, the house is a designated National Historic Landmark (NHL) — one of only two NHLs in Utica.

Advocating for Wells Barns has been a passion project for Katie Andres for years. And a major part of her advocacy work took the form of the recently-released documentary Still Standing: The Barns of J.T. Wells & Sons. Along with her production partner Jill Kuchman, Katie worked to bring the story of Wells Barns to a broader audience. After Still Standing was named a 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award winner, we reached out to Katie to hear more about her experience in making the documentary and why she continues to advocate for Wells Barns.