“…in whatever way in your life, in your work, kind of add the lens of language to how you're seeing environments and situations… we live in still a fundamentally multilingual world, very much a multilingual city and state, and of course it can seem like it's a challenge but also it's a huge opportunity — something to kind of embrace and value and wonder at. So I I hope some sense of wonder also kind of emerges through Language City.”
Read MoreSince Black History Month falls in February, and since it is cold and snowy in New York, we thought in addition to rounding up a few places to experience Black history, we’d also pair those places with a book or a documentary for anyone less inclined to brave the elements. It’s also a good reminder that Black history exists all the time — so check out some books from your local library and support your local PBS station this winter, and then make sure to visit the places that are promoting this history through the year. There are countless places around New York State doing incredible work to preserve and celebrate Black history and it is always a good time to support them.
Read MoreThe Preservation League of New York State is excited to announce that the 2025 Pillar of New York Awards Gala will take place on Monday, May 19, at the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City. This prestigious gathering will shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Roberta Brandes Gratz, a passionate advocate for historic preservation and urban revitalization. Gratz has demonstrated unparalleled commitment to advancing historic preservation efforts, making her an ideal recipient of this statewide recognition.
Read MoreThere is no preservation without folks who are skilled in traditional trades. The people who do the physical work of preserving and restoring historic buildings and structures are essential — and this skilled workforce is dwindling. In an effort to shine a light on what a career in the preservation trades looks like, we’ve launched a video series to highlight individual tradespeople who represent a small snapshot of the future of this workforce. Funded through a grant from the Historic Preservation Education Foundation with additional support from the Peggy N. & Roger G. Gerry Charitable Trust., Trade Stories features six individuals who have all traveled their own paths to a career in the trades.
Read Moreue of New York State and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts are thrilled to announce the recipients of their 2024 Technical Assistance Grants. During this grant cycle, 20 projects representing 13 counties across the state have been selected by an independent panel of preservation professionals. A total of $75,290 was awarded.
Read MoreThe Slip: The New York City Street That Changed American Art Forever details the story of an obscure little street at the lower tip of Manhattan and the remarkable artists who got their start there. An ambitious and singular account of a time, a place, and a group of extraordinary people, The Slip investigates the importance of community, and makes an argument for how we are shaped by it, and how it in turns shapes our work. In this webinar we were joined by author Prudence Peiffer who discussed her research and highlights from the book.
Read MoreIn Spiritualism's Place, four friends and scholars who produce the acclaimed Dig: A History Podcast, share their curiosity and enthusiasm for uncovering stories from the past as they explore the history of Lily Dale. Located in western New York State, the world's largest center for Spiritualism was founded in 1879. Lily Dale has been a home for Spiritualists attempting to make contact with the dead, as well as a gathering place for reformers, a refuge for seekers looking for alternatives to established paths of knowledge, and a target for skeptics. In this webinar, two of the book’s authors, Averill Earls and Elizabeth Garner Masarik, give an overview of their research and how the book came together.
Read MoreIn this webinar, we were joined by New York Times Bestselling author Alyssa Cole who spoke about her recent thrillers, When No One is Watching and One of Us Knows. Following her presentation, Alyssa was joined in conversation by k. kennedy Whiters, RA, whose initiative Black in Historic Preservation co-hosted this event.
Read MoreAs 2024 comes to a close, three members of the League team took a look back and identified a favorite experience from our work in 2024.
Read MoreBy the time some historic places end up on the Seven to Save list they have suffered from years of vacancy and/or significant disrepair. Our final theme in this year's anniversary retrospective will highlight three such listings that have since gone on to have incredible transformations: the former Eastman Dental Dispensary in Rochester, the former TWA Flight Center in Queens, and Bent’s Opera House in Medina.
Read MoreMain Streets serve as the physical, economic, and cultural center of a community, home to municipal offices, banks, local businesses, and community gathering spaces. They can be one block long or ten (or more!); rural, suburban, or urban; with simple single story wood frame buildings or high style multi-story masonry buildings, and everything in between. Over the past 25 years, many Main Streets across the state have landed on our Seven to Save list – from Downtown State Street in Schenectady back in 2000 to the listing of Downtown Oneonta’s Historic District just last year.
Read MoreEarlier this fall, members of the League’s leadership giving group, the Excelsior Society, enjoyed a weekend full of behind-the-scenes tours on Long Island’s East End. And while our Excelsior Society members were treated to several exclusive tours and talks not typically available to the general public (a benefit of membership!), we thought we would share an abbreviated version of our trip itinerary for anyone who wanted to plan their own East End adventure. And if you are thinking you’d like to join us for an exclusive tour to explore another corner of NYS, you are in luck. The Excelsior Society is busy planning a weekend in Buffalo for 2025 — stay tuned for details.
Read MoreThe Preservation League of NYS will welcome five authors as part of our ongoing Preservation Book Club program in early 2025. These virtual author talks will take place via Zoom and are free and open to the public.
Read MoreBy our count, almost 20 neighborhoods have been included as Seven to Saves over the years – not counting Main Streets! Two threats tend to loom largest over Seven to Save communities: development pressure and deterioration. Gentrification, rising housing costs, and overdevelopment can push longtime residents out of their homes. Systemic disinvestment and lack of resources can make it difficult for residents to take care of their historic homes. Tools like historic district designation, Homeowner historic tax credits, and a push for affordable housing in historic neighborhoods helps to build sustainable communities. Neighborhood groups, local preservation and community-based organizations, and neighborhood residents (whether they be homeowners or renters) are the driving forces in preserving these kinds of sustainable communities.
Read MoreWelcome to the League’s 5th annual holiday gift guide! This year we’ve broken our preservationist gift guide into five categories: Gifts for the Homebody, the Design Enthusiast, the NYC Enthusiast, the Book Lover, and Kids. In addition to the fun things we’ve highlighted here, don’t forget to support your local small businesses, museums, historical societies, and other nonprofits (maybe even gift a membership to the League??). Your support really does make a difference, and dollars go further when you spend them closer to home. Happy holiday shopping!
Read MoreThe Preservation League of New York State announced today a grant award totaling $40,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded $82 million this year to 509 artists and 1,497 organizations across the state. This grant will provide general operating support for the League’s statewide work.
Read MoreIn this webinar, author LaTonya Yvette talks about her new book Stand in My Window: Meditations on Home and How We Make It. Buy the book here.
Through essays with stunning photography, the beloved multimedia storyteller and author of Woman of Color shares the powerful lessons she's learned about creating a home that honors the past and celebrates the future. “Home is a reflection of what we inherit.” Following LaTonya's presentation, she was joined in conversation by Katy Peace, the League's Director of Communications.
Read MoreOn Friday, November 15, the League gathered with friends and supporters in NYC to celebrate our 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Awardees. The 2024 Award winners represent how historic preservation addresses critical issues, including providing affordable housing, boosting economic development, and uplifting underrepresented histories. Each Award winner has had a tremendous impact on their local community, but their work is relevant far beyond that.
Read MoreThe Preservation League was honored to be recognized by our colleagues at the Albany County Historical Association (ACHA) during their "Raise the Roof" Gala on Thursday, November 7. The League was awarded alongside the New York State Library, and the Rapp Road Historical Association, in recognition of their work to promote the rich and diverse history and culture of our region, and more broadly, all of New York State.
Read More“Upstate and downstate, in cities and rural villages, the League is committed to a preservation movement that is truly for everyone. And your support makes that work possible – so our past has a future.”
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