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Landmarks

Joseph Lloyd Manor to Receive Literary Landmark Designation

October 11, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Joseph Lloyd Manor courtesy Preservation Long IslandPreservation Long Island has announced the United for Libraries Literary Landmark designation for one of its historic properties, Joseph Lloyd Manor, an 18th century manor house in Lloyd Harbor, and a site of Black enslavement.

The designation honors Jupiter Hammon (1711– ca. 1806), one of the earliest published African American writers who composed his most well-known works while enslaved at the manor. [Read more…] about Joseph Lloyd Manor to Receive Literary Landmark Designation

Filed Under: Events, History, New York City Tagged With: Landmarks, Preservation Long Island

The Rice Building: A Celebrated Troy Landmark

September 3, 2020 by Suzanne Spellen Leave a Comment

rice buildingTroy has many iconic buildings, each unique for either an architectural, functional or historic reason. The city’s building stock is one of the reasons Troy has become a favorite Capital District destination.

Walking the city’s streets is a visual treat. Within the space of blocks one can see more than 200 years of architecture and history. [Read more…] about The Rice Building: A Celebrated Troy Landmark

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Architecture, Landmarks, Troy

Castle Clinton: New York’s Almost Forgotten Landmark

March 24, 2020 by Theresa DeCicco Leave a Comment

Landing of Gen Lafayette at Castle Garden New York 16th August 1824 courtesy New York Public Library Digital CollectionsAn often overlooked and forgotten New York City landmark, Castle Clinton welcomed many of the city’s residents into its walls as a place of innovation, entertainment, and new beginnings.

The circular sandstone fort which currently stands in Battery Park, was built to improve harbor fortifications in 1811. The Southwest Battery, as it was known, never fired a shot. [Read more…] about Castle Clinton: New York’s Almost Forgotten Landmark

Filed Under: History, New York City Tagged With: Castle Clinton, Castle Garden, Cultural History, Ellis Island, Immigration, Lafayette, Landmarks, Military History, New York City, New York Harbor, New York Harbor Conservancy, NPS, Statue of Liberty, War of 1812

Preservation Myths: Government Money

March 8, 2020 by Steven Engelhart Leave a Comment

Homeowner Hannah Hanford at her home in Saranac Lake provided by AARCHMyths pervade most aspects of life and they can be very persistent. Whether it’s “we only use 10% of our brain” or “George Washington had wooden teeth” these myths can be relatively harmless – or they can really get in the way of true understanding and action.

Historic preservation has its own set of myths. Some originate from a grain of truth, many are outright wrong, and still others require a more nuanced understanding. [Read more…] about Preservation Myths: Government Money

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Western NY Tagged With: AARCH, Architecture, Grants, Historic Preservation, Landmarks, National Historic Landmark

Busting Historic Preservation Myths

March 5, 2020 by Steven Engelhart 1 Comment

former 1927 Willsboro High School into the Champlain Valley Senior CommunityMyths pervade most aspects of life and they can be very persistent. Whether it’s “we only use 10% of our brain” or “George Washington had wooden teeth” these myths can be relatively harmless – or they can really get in the way of true understanding and action.

Historic preservation has its own set of myths. Some originate from a grain of truth, many are outright wrong, and still others require a more nuanced understanding. [Read more…] about Busting Historic Preservation Myths

Filed Under: History Tagged With: AARCH, Architecture, Historic Preservation, Landmarks, National Historic Landmark

History of the Historic Districts Council Program

February 17, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

historic districts council 50thThe Historic Districts Council of the City of New York was formed in 1970 by the Municipal Art Society as a committee of volunteers from the city’s nascent and potential historic districts. Since then, the HDC has carved out a niche and fulfilled a much-needed citywide advocacy role.

[Read more…] about History of the Historic Districts Council Program

Filed Under: History, New York City Tagged With: Historic Districts Council, Historic Preservation, Landmarks, New York City

City Island Landmarks Rejected by NYC City Council

March 15, 2018 by Simeon Bankoff 3 Comments

Samuel H. & Mary T. Booth House, 30 Center Street City Island, The BronxOn Monday, March 12th, the City Council Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses voted to reject the designation of two individual landmarks on City Island in The Bronx, the Samuel H. and Mary T. Booth House and the Stafford “Osborn” House.

The reason given by Subcommittee Chair Adrienne Adams and referenced by other committee members was the Council practice of ceding control of land-use decisions to the local councilmember, in this instance CM Mark Gjonaj. CM Gjonaj was reported to oppose the landmark designations of these two private houses because their owners were reported to object to the designations. It’s important to note that neither the Councilmember nor the owners appeared at the public hearings although CM Gjonaj was reported to have submitted a statement for the record. CM Gjonaj had previously voted against affirming a landmark designation in Bushwick, Brooklyn which had local Councilmember support but whose owner opposed the designation. [Read more…] about City Island Landmarks Rejected by NYC City Council

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Historic Preservation, Landmarks, New York City

Two Houses on City Island Designated Historic

November 29, 2017 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Booth HouseOn Tuesday, November 28th, 2017, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated two houses on City Island in the Bronx as individual landmarks: the Samuel H. and Mary T. Booth House on 30 Centre Street and the Captain John H. Stafford House on 95 Pell Street.

The Booth House, built between 1887 and 1893, is a fine example of the Stick style, which was popular in the late 19th century in suburban and rural cities. The Stafford House, a remarkably intact Sears “mail-order” house built in 1930, reflects the pattern of suburban-style residential development that occurred citywide during the early 20th century and represents an important period of technological and social innovation in the history of American housing. [Read more…] about Two Houses on City Island Designated Historic

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Historic Preservation, Landmarks, New York City

New Book: Historic Landmarks of Old New York

June 3, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

historic landmarks of old new yorkThe new book Historic Landmarks of Old New York (Museyon Guides, 2017) looks at Manhattan’s historic landmarks through photographs by Alfred Stieglitz, Berenice Abbott, Alfred Eisenstaedt and others; quotes by celebrities, from George Washington to Lenny Bruce; and informative anecdotes, including the last public execution in Washington Square, the ghost of Aaron Burr’s lost daughter, Alva Vanderbilt’s costume ball, The Beatles’ “Ed Sullivan Show” appearance and more. [Read more…] about New Book: Historic Landmarks of Old New York

Filed Under: Books, History Tagged With: Books, Landmarks, New York City

Sacred Sites in North Star Country Book Event Saturday

March 30, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

sacred sites book coverOn Saturday, April 1st at 1 pm, the Oneida County History Center will host Author Madis Senner who will discuss his new book Sacred Sites in North Star Country.

Upstate New York was the birthplace of the Women’s Movement and American Democracy, home to America’s Second Great Awakening, and was called the Burned-Over District for its spiritual wildfires, and America’s Psychic Highway.  [Read more…] about Sacred Sites in North Star Country Book Event Saturday

Filed Under: Books, History Tagged With: Landmarks, Oneida County History Center

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