ANEWEnvironment ADIRONDACK ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
In the Adirondacks we experience two environments intertwined. And although our natural environment receives deserved attention, as a region we’ve come to realize that its care and protection hangs in the balance with the care and protection of our built environment—and the survival of our small communities.
25 years ago, Howie Kirschenbaum and others saw the need for a regional preservation advocacy group, and AARCH was quickly off and running. Now, Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) has become the private, nonprofit historic preservation organization for New York State’s Adirondack Park.
a new environment
25 years of championing architecture and ensuring a thriving human community in the region led AARCH to envision a new environment: “where historic architecture is cherished and its preservation contributes to flourishing communities.” This new environment embraces the interconnectedness of our wild and natural places, our historic architecture, and our small communities. Let’s take a look at how we arrived at this vision.
Just as the region had come to place a very high value on its wild places and its forests, lakes, and rivers, it seemed that with enough education we could also come to have a similar sense of stewardship for our historic buildings and communities.
AARCH has since led over
SINCE 1990 20,860
people on educational tours and spoke to over
8,960 lecture participants
in
3 14 100
and
states,
counties,
towns & villages.
We’ve partnered with
6
friends groups to save historic fire towers
Interpreted Camp Santanoni to
13,000 visitors each year
Placed
33
sites & districts on the National Register
25 YEARS OF PRESERVATION Advocacted for
Provided technical assistance
Adirondack structures
to over people, businesses, & towns
168
1125
127
Presented preservation awards to our region’s stewards.
adventure preserve learn “AARCH is the best in the business…” J. Wintrop “Wint” Aldrich Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Mt. McGregor Valcour Island Mid-Hudson Va Dannemora Santanoni Big Moo Glens Falls Lowville Vermontville Croghan Speculator George Miners Wanakena Plattsburgh Lyo Port Henry Raquette Lake Vergennes Sacand Harrietstown Shelburne Saranac Lake Fort T Tupper Lake Lake Placid Keeseville Crown Essex Upper Saranac Lake Minerva Paul Sm Luzerne Lake George Upper Jay Hillsboro Island Keene Valley Twitchell Lake Westpor Warrensburg Schroon Lake Jay Schuyler Fa Olmsteadville Corinth Indian Lake North Hu Loon Lake Big Moose Lake Saranac Newco Thurman Ironville Elizabethtown Coreys S Springs Canton Johnsburg Ausable Forks M McGregor Valcour Island Mid-Hudson Valley Dannemora Santanoni Big MooseGlens Falls Over time, AARCH changed the preservation climate in the Adirondacks through an innovative Lowville Vermontville Croghan Speculator George Miners Wanakena Plattsburgh Lyo blend of education-by-adventure, hands-on action, and persistent advocacy. Port Henry Raquette Lake Vergennes Sacand Harrietstown Shelburne Saranac Lake Fort T Tupper Lake Lake Placid Keeseville Crown Essex Upper Saranac Lake Minerva Paul Sm Luzerne Lake George Upper Jay Hillsboro Island Keene Valley Twitchell Lake Westpor Warrensburg Schroon Lake Jay Schuyler Fa Olmsteadville Corinth Indian Lake North Hu Loon Lake Big Moose Lake Saranac Newco Thurman Ironville Elizabethtown Coreys S Springs Canton Johnsburg Ausable Forks M McGregor Valcour Island Mid-Hudson Valley Dannemora Santanoni Big Moose Glens Falls Lowville Vermontville Croghan Speculator George Miners Wanakena Plattsburgh Lyo Port Henry Raquette Lake Vergennes Sacand Harrietstown Shelburne Saranac Lake Fort T Tupper Lake Lake Placid Keeseville Crown
so what’s next There will always be an historic building to fight for. Change is a fact of life and losses are inevitable, but what makes our region and our communities special are the places that connect us to our history, shape our identity, and enrich our daily lives. Preserving these places is worthy of our best energies and stewardship, and that’s what AARCH is here for. But there is more that we can do.
One of the common threads found throughout our advocacy work is that, beyond just speaking up and making our case, we’ve always been willing to do the hard work that was needed. We want to see our architecture cherished and our communities thrive. To achieve our vision of a new environment, once again,
it’s time to roll up our sleeves.
“Cities and towns across the nation have come to see that a vibrant, sustainable community is only as healthy The National Trust for Historic Preservation as its core.� AARCH recently invested in its own restoration project with the understanding that our actions speak louder than our words.
stone mILL Our historic stone mill in Keeseville can be that catalyst for change, leading the way towards our vision for a new environment in the Adirondacks. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, the mill once produced horse nails for a thriving local economy. With your help and those who wish to preserve our industrial past and lead the way toward a vibrant community, we will transform this beautiful, empty space into an incubator for small local businesses.
Obtaining the necessary financial support would mean that AARCH is well positioned to complete the restoration of the mill, create a public park adjoining the waterfront, and provide local entrepreneurs with the space and assistance they need to start and grow their business. Here. In the Adirondacks. AARCH’s stone mill project is about taking responsibility for an endangered industrial building and about doing something transformative for the community. It is about achieving our vision of a new Adirondacks—with its stunning, diverse, and rich environments, both worthy of preservation. Steven Engelhart Executive Director
“Supporting a better, more resilient, sustainable Adirondack Park, including vibrant communities, will protect the unique rural lifestyle of the Adirondacks and the natural resources that draw both residents and visitors.� The Adirondack Council
1745 MAIN STREET | KEESEVILLE, NY | 12944 | 518.834.9328 WWW.AARCH.ORG