The Preservation League of NYS drafted a statement decrying recent actions by the federal government to rewrite and censor history, notably by removing all mention of Transgender and Queer people from the Stonewall National Monument website. We aim to show a united front by joining our voice with our colleagues to condemn this erasure — and historic erasure of any kind.
Read More“…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 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 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 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 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 MoreIn 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.
Read MoreWith shifts in population, budget constraints, and older buildings no longer meeting contemporary needs, many educational buildings have been vacated and left to deteriorate without an immediate new use on the horizon. In some cases, the buildings are so large that finding a new use proves difficult. In others, districts outgrow their historic buildings and move on. Regardless of particular circumstances, educational buildings tend to be local landmarks, deeply connected to a community’s identity and sense of place. People often have a strong emotional connection to these places because they used them as a children, or members of their families did. Losing these places can be a major blow to a community.
Read MoreRestoration of the Opera Hall performance space was the final stage in bringing this historic structure back to life. The building is now a jewel in the center of town, creating a sense of community pride. Completing the performance hall renovation, preserving the building’s architectural character and history, was like putting the “cherry on the sundae.”
Read More“We are truly humbled and grateful to receive the Preservation League’s Excellence Award,” said Shelley Worrell, Founder of I AM CARIBBEING. “This recognition is a testament to the power of Little Caribbean and the importance of preserving our heritage. We look forward to continuing our mission to uplift and celebrate Caribbean culture, community and commerce in Brooklyn and beyond.”
Read MoreLocated in the heart of Elmira's civic historic district, the Reynold's Way project is comprised of four very different buildings that had all been vacant for many years. Taken together, Reynold’s Way now houses 41 affordable apartments. The work that was done to convert these four separate buildings into affordable housing celebrates the historic integrity of each building and supports the notion that everyone deserves quality living space. Susan Bull notes that, “We are able to serve people who are choosing to live in a community they love by bringing four spaces back to livable (and beautiful) condition. I’m proud to be a part of the affordable housing supply.”
Read MoreSaratoga Springs Preservation Foundation successfully preserved 65 Phila Street, a historic property built in 1851 and later modified to the Italianate style, which had fallen into severe neglect (before and after photos of the front facade shown above). After years of advocating against demolition and working with the city to enforce property maintenance codes, the Foundation acquired the building in May 2021 with the assistance of Mark Haworth, a long-time member of the Foundation. The Foundation undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation, including environmental remediation, structural stabilization, and exterior restoration. Through monetary and in-kind donations, the "Revive 65" campaign raised over $500,000. The project, completed in 2024, removed long-standing blight, increased property tax revenue, and demonstrated the community and economic benefits of historic preservation. The property is now on the market, with proceeds going to the Foundation’s Historic Property Redevelopment Fund.
Read MoreCanal Commons is a $64 million affordable housing project that has changed the Rochester, NY landscape. Located in the historic Susan B. Anthony neighborhood, Canal Commons was a long-vacant historic warehouse building, which has been converted into a 123-unit apartment building. The rehabilitation was made possible through incentives including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits. In addition to providing high quality affordable housing, most Canal Commons apartments are reserved for residents who have experienced chronic homelessness or are in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. The creation of this supportive housing was made possible through the Empire State Housing Initiative (ESSHI) administered through the NYS Office of Mental Health. This project is a mixed-income development that serves families earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income. The project also participated in the NYS Brownfield Cleanup Program and in NYSERDA’s Multifamily New Construction Program, significantly improving the viability of the neighborhood and of Canal Street.
Read MoreCompleted in 2023, East End II is RUPCO’s largest project to date. This $37-million scattered-site development includes 24 building sites spread across a 7-block radius located in New York State’s second-largest historic district. East End II includes the restoration of 10 vacant historic buildings and added new construction on 12 vacant lots – creating a total of 61 new, mixed-income homes plus a community space.
Read MoreVacant for many years, the sprawling Moyer Factory complex on Syracuse’s Northside has undergone an incredible transformation into 128 units of affordable housing, including 50 designed for tenants requiring supportive housing. The rebranded Moyer Carriage Lofts is the largest public housing project in the City of Syracuse. The League is thrilled to recognize this this project and the team who made it happen with a 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award.
Read MoreOur colleagues at Historic Albany Foundation are also marking their 50th Anniversary this year. Add to that a big move they have planned, and they have been spending time sifting through their archives and highlighting treasures from their past. We were thrilled when they came across a cache of historic photos of our Albany HQ at 44 Central Avenue. In this guest blog post, HAF President Pam Howard gives us a history lesson on the building that at one time was also home to HAF!
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