Women’s History South of Union Square
The neighborhood South of Union Square holds a unique place in the history of women’s rights and women’s suffrage movements. In the very same University Place building where a prominent 19th-century philanthropist donated to women’s causes, a famed lesbian bar attracted trailblazing women writers. In two buildings on Fifth Avenue, numerous progressive organizations were founded and blossomed: the first organization to insure contraception, the first African American magazine, and a chapter of the oldest women’s peace organization — the latter two under female leadership. On East 14th Street, the headquarters of the New York City Woman Suffrage League led the organizing effort for achieving women’s suffrage in New York State; and back on University Place the first woman doctor in America established her home and office.
Read More
Historic Real Estate: Market Morality and the Politics of Preservation in the Early United States
In her book Historic Real Estate: Market Morality and the Politics of Preservation in the Early United States, Dr. Whitney Martinko takes a look at how historic preservation played out following the Revolutionary War. She discusses the ways in which people debated whether and what to save of their built environment, and how preservation balanced (or tried to) the relationship between the public good and private profit.
Read More
Seven to Save: Did It Work?
The 2022-2023 inclusion of the Proposed South of Union Square Historic District on the League’s Seven to Save list marks the third time the League has worked with our colleagues at Village Preservation through the STS program. First in 2002 with the Gansevoort Market District and then in 2012 with South Village, the League’s support helped turn the tide for both in securing their much-deserved landmark designations.
Read More
South of Union Square Master Architect: James Renwick, Jr.
James Renwick, Jr. (November 1, 1818 — June 23, 1895) was one of the 19th century’s most prolific and successful American architects. Renwick is best known for his mastery of the Gothic Revival and Romanesque styles, as evidenced in his masterworks Grace Church (1843-1858), St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue (1859-1878), and the Smithsonian Institute on Washington D.C.’s Mall (1846). James Renwick, Jr.’s New York roots are in the area south of Union Square. Descended from the Brevoort family who held a great deal of land in the neighborhood, it is no surprise that Renwick left his mark on the built environment of this neighborhood.
Read More
Walking in Olmsted's Footsteps in Rochester's Highland Park
2022 marks the bicentennial of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth. To help mark the occasion, we reached out to our friends at Highland Park Conservancy to collaborate on a walking tour of the jewel of Rochester’s park system.
Read More
The Eclectic Streetscapes South of Union Square
Beautifully detailed 1899 “Mail & Express” Broadway Streetscape Illustrations demonstrate the urgency of Village Preservation’s campaign to landmark the area #SouthOfUnionSquare.
Read More
Preservationist Tour Guide: A Weekend in Syracuse
We got the @syracusehistory tour of Syracuse and now we share our knowledge with you. Spend a weekend in Syracuse — you won’t regret it!
Read More
Lessons From Lee: Planning for the Future of a Family Home
Many families own a home that has been a gathering place for the family over generations. We are often asked how to keep such a property in the family and there are several techniques to consider, all of which have pluses and minuses, and may have financial costs as well. Most importantly, it is essential that you confirm with your children and their families that they wish to retain the property – with due respect, they may have other plans!
Read More
Social Justice and Preservation of Place
Presented in partnership with the Tenement Museum, this webinar explored the intersection of social justice and preservation. How can the act of preserving and stewarding a building tie directly into a broader social justice mission? We wanted to explore the idea that preserving, restoring, rehabilitating, and stewarding a physical place can be integral to social justice work. In this conversation, we dig into how different kinds of organizations can incorporate preservation practices, without necessarily being a “preservation” organization.
Read More
Seven to Save Spotlight: James Brooks / Charlotte Park Home & Studios
James Brooks and Charlotte Park’s Home and Studios in East Hampton has been included on the 2022-2023 Seven to Save list. The Brooks-Park site belonged to Abstract Expressionist painters James Brooks and Charlotte Park who were foundational members of the AbEx Art movement. The site has been vacant since 2010 and has fallen into significant disrepair. A group of grassroots advocates have sprung up to fight to save this important historic site and the natural landscape on which it sits. The League is eager to assist this efforts and bring much-deserved attention to the artists who made this place their home.
Read More
Seven to Save Spotlight: Willard State Hospital
Willard State Hospital is one of this year’s Seven to Save. Situated on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes village of Romulus, Willard State has been a key part of the community since it first opened as a psychiatric hospital in the late 1800s. It began a second life as a correctional facility in 1995, but the complex has just recently been completely abandoned. The League is eager to work with local stakeholders to stabilize the buildings and grounds and explore potential new uses for this sprawling historic complex.
Read More
Seven to Save Spotlight: Downtown Oneonta Historic District
Oneonta’s Downtown Historic District has been included in the 2022-2023 Seven to Save list. Downtown Oneonta is a remarkably intact historic district, but public perception of preservation has made it difficult for the community to fully embrace its historic fabric.
Read More
Seven to Save Spotlight: Penn Station Neighborhood
The Penn Station Neighborhood has been named one of this year’s Seven to Save. The proposed redevelopment of Penn Station and the surrounding area has been met with intense criticism since it was first put forward in 2020. Despite revisions, the Plan still presents major issues — most notably the human impact of displacing thousands of residents and business owners and the environmental impact of needlessly demolishing buildings that could be retrofitted and put back to active use.
Read More
Seven to Save Spotlight: Proposed South of Union Square Historic District
The proposed South of Union Square Historic District is one of this year’s Seven to Save. This neighborhood in Manhattan boasts a wide variety of of building types, many of which have ties to important social and cultural movements. Our colleagues at Village Preservation have been pushing for landmark designation and zoning protections to preserve the area’s historic character, limit out-of-scale construction, and prevent needless demolition.
Read More
Seven to Save Spotlight: Genesee Valley Park's Woodland Buffer
Rochester’s Genesee Valley Park, specifically its historic, Frederick Law Olmsted-designed woodland buffer, is one of the League’s 2022-2023 Seven to Save sites. This listing follows an earlier inclusion of the Olmsted-designed pedestrian bridges of Genesee Valley Park on the 2014 Seven to Save list. The League is eager to continue working with local advocates to protect this important Rochester landmark.
Read More
Seven to Save Spotlight: Thomas Memorial AME Zion Church
Thomas Memorial AME Zion Church in Watertown is one of the League’s Seven to Save sites for 2022-2023. The small African American Church has been without an active congregation since 2012, but a grassroots coalition has sprung up to save this important part of Adirondack history. Led by former Watertown resident Shameika Ingram of Preservation in Color, this working group is actively seeking ways to return the church to active use and be a benefit for its community and an inspiration for people in the region and beyond.
Read More
Seven to Save: 2022-2023 Edition
“The individual sites included on this year’s Seven to Save list embody key preservation issues affecting places across New York State,” said Preservation League President Jay DiLorenzo. “From the negative environmental impact of senseless demolition to bringing little-known, but important, histories to light, the League is excited to work alongside on-the-ground advocates to save each of these seven at-risk places.”
Read More
Olmsted & Yosemite: Civil War, Abolition, and the National Park Idea
In this webinar, Rolf Diamant and Ethan Carr discuss their new book Olmsted & Yosemite: Civil War, Abolition, and the National Park Idea.
Read More
Announcing the 2022 Zabar Scholars
The League is proud to announce the recipients of this year's Zabar Family Scholarship: Emily Conklin (Columbia); Jeffry Iovannone (Cornell); and E.J. Shin (Columbia). Many thanks to Lori Zabar and the Zabar Family for their generous support of the Zabar Family Scholarship program. Lori passed away earlier this year, but her generosity and support of preservation lives on.
Read More
Lessons From Lee: Will you consider donating appreciated stock to the League?
Gifts of stock are a simple and powerful way to support the work that the Preservation League is engaged in every day. It also offers financial benefits to you!
Read More
