Since 1984, the Preservation League of New York State’s annual Excellence Awards program has shone a light on the people who are using historic preservation to make all our lives better — through exemplary restoration projects, indispensable publications, individual action, and organizational distinction. [Read more…] about Preservation League of New York State Names Excellence Award Winners
Preservation League of New York State
Finding the Adirondacks in Albany: A History Tour & Special Museum Event
Looking to the Adirondacks from Albany, we can learn much about members of the Pruyn family and many other notable figures who influenced the Adirondack region as well.
In the mid-19th-century, garden cemeteries like the Albany Rural Cemetery borrowed designs that took a picturesque form, with tree-lined, meandering paths, stonework, and curated plantings. [Read more…] about Finding the Adirondacks in Albany: A History Tour & Special Museum Event
Fort Ticonderoga Gets Grant to Study Historic Fort Walls
Fort Ticonderoga is one of this year’s Preserve New York grantees of $18,800 to fund an existing conditions study for the historic fort walls. “This project is a critical first step in determining future preservation and restoration initiatives to ensure the structure remains for generations to come,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. [Read more…] about Fort Ticonderoga Gets Grant to Study Historic Fort Walls
Centering Historic Preservation in Community (Virtual Program)
The Oneida Community Mansion House and the Preservation League of New York State will host a webinar to discuss the challenges of preserving historic structures. The session will share one site’s journey to address a building’s needs with limited resources. [Read more…] about Centering Historic Preservation in Community (Virtual Program)
Remembering Joan Kaplan Davidson (1927-2023)
Civic organizations across New York State are mourning the passing of Joan Kaplan Davidson, at the age of 96.
Joan Davidson spent her life improving and advocating on behalf of civic betterment, cultural enrichment, and environmental protection in the City and State of New York, especially in the Hudson River Valley where she lived. [Read more…] about Remembering Joan Kaplan Davidson (1927-2023)
Silver Bay’s Historic Fisher Gymnasium Rehabilitation Project Moving Forward
Silver Bay YMCA is one of this year’s Preserve New York (PNY) grantees. Their grant of $11,200 will fund a facility condition assessment of the historic Fisher Gymnasium. [Read more…] about Silver Bay’s Historic Fisher Gymnasium Rehabilitation Project Moving Forward
Preservation League Announces Excellence Award Winners
Since 1984, the Preservation League of New York State’s annual Excellence Awards program has recognized the people who are using historic preservation to make all our lives better — through exemplary restoration projects, indispensable publications, individual action, and organizational distinction. [Read more…] about Preservation League Announces Excellence Award Winners
Preserving Long Island Black Heritage: Pyrrhus Concer Homestead
Demolished in 2014, the Pyrrhus Concer Homestead in Southhampton, Long Island, was finally recognized as a Historic Landmark by Southampton Village in January 2021. Pieces were salvaged before the house was torn down and preservationists have been working to bring it back to life and properly interpret it ever since.
Though born into slavery, over the course of his life Concer would become one of the most well-respected members of the Southampton community. After being freed as an adult, Concer went on to have a long and storied career as a whaler and boatsteerer. He was one of, if not the first, African Americans to enter Japan. Thanks to well-kept records including whaling logs and documents related to his local philanthropy, Pyrrhus Concer’s life is one of the most complete histories of a formerly enslaved person in America.
[Read more…] about Preserving Long Island Black Heritage: Pyrrhus Concer Homestead
Preservation Grantees Announced; New Funding Available
The Preservation League of New York State and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts, Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area have announced the recipients of their 2021 Technical Assistance Grants. During this grant cycle, 17 projects representing 14 counties across the state have been selected by an independent panel of preservation professionals. A total of $62,953 was awarded. [Read more…] about Preservation Grantees Announced; New Funding Available
Green-Wood Cemetery’s Historic Chapel Wins Preservation Award
Green-Wood Cemetery’s Historic Chapel has won a 2021 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS.
The Historic Chapel, located just down the hill from the Cemetery’s main entrance in Brooklyn, is an icon of Green-Wood’s landscape. Designed in 1911 by the architectural firm of Warren & Wetmore, the Neo-Gothic design features 41 carved window openings, filled with figurative stained glass. [Read more…] about Green-Wood Cemetery’s Historic Chapel Wins Preservation Award