Landmarks Winter 2015

LANDMARKS WINTER 2015: VOLUME LIII, NUMBER IV

THE LANDMARK SOCIETY OF WESTERN NEW YORK

WWW.LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG

The 2015 Preservation Awards Presented On November 15 Cynthia Fay

CONTENTS This magazine is the official publication of The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc. Publication is assisted with income from Marion Moore Whitbeck Fund and public funds from Monroe County and from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The mission of The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc. is to protect the unique architectural heritage of our region and promote preservation and planning practices that foster healthy, livable and sustainable communities.

Landmarks is published quarterly by The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc.

ADDRESS

133 South Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, New York 14608

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Feature The 2015 Preservation Awards

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2015 Preservation Awards

Awards are given to individuals and organizations in our nine-county area that have made outstanding efforts in the preservation of their homes, public buildings, historic properties, and landscapes.

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Projects & Places Preservation Scorecard

WHERE THE #&@%™ AM I? Landmark Society Properties Five to Revive Update

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American Hall Building, Attica

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Events Cape May

PHONE / FAX

2015 Jubilee Celebration

P: (585) 546-7029 F: (585) 546-4788

Save the Date

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EMAIL

info@landmarksociety.org

Cape May Tour

WEB

www.landmarksociety.org

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People Member Profile The YUP-date Writers & Landmarks

The Landmark Society of Western New York is supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Legacy Society Membership Info YUPs Cure Event

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Jeffrey Pollock VICE PRESIDENTS Preservation Tom Castelein

Development Mary Z. Nicosia

Education & Properties Mimi Freund Tilton

Finance & Treasurer Jim Marasco

SECRETARY Anthony Bellomo AT LARGE JoAnn Beck Drew Costanza Glenn Kellogg Bleu Cease Jean France Sandra Frankel Andy Germanow Hugh Hamlin Kate Karl Jerry Ludwig Lee Lundback

Bill Moehle Carol S. Mullin Louis P. Nau Ed Olinger Delores Radney Jason Roberts Richard Sarkis Jeffrey Skuse Burt Speers Bill Sullivan Beth Teall Stacey VanDenburgh

HONORARY TRUSTEES William Balderston John Bero A. Vincent Buzard Christopher Clarke John C. Clark III John W. Clarke Frank Crego Susan Crego Jean Czerkas Jim Durfee William Edwards Charlie Fitzgibbon George Gotcsik Fran Gotcsik Judie Griffin Frank S. Grosso Thomas Hargrave Art Holtzman James Knauf, Jr.

STAFF

Marianne Koller Sally McGucken Paul Nunes Andy Olenick Sherri Olenick Ann B. Parks Richard Reisem Jon Schumacher Marion Simon John Thoman Joanne VanZandt Sterling Weaver Houghton D. Wetherald Henry W. Williams Jr. Arlene Wright Vanderlinde Mr. James Yarrington Mr. Craig Zicari

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Wayne Goodman

MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATE Norma Jean Hildreth

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS Cindy Boyer

ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR Cynthia Howk

DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Chelsea Flint ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PRESERVATION Larry Francer HORTICULTURIST Beverly Gibson COMMUNITY RELATIONS ASSOCIATE Carolyn Haygood

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Andrew Lambrix PROPERTIES TECHNICIAN Quentin McGee PRESERVATION PLANNER Caitlin Meives EDUCATION ASSOCIATE Sharon Pratt STONE-TOLAN TOUR GUIDE Judith Trabert

From the Director Anyone who has been involved in historic preservation for very long knows that preservation can require perseverance. Historic buildings in need of rehabilitation require incredibly thoughtful and creative strategies to produce real solutions for longstanding obstacles. Sometimes all a historic property needs is a voice – a proactive message that ensures a vibrant and engaging future role. But some of our region’s most impressive historic resources require much more. Several years ago The Landmark Society launched the annual Five to Revive program. This initiative highlights the unique challenges and untapped potential of five significant historic resources in western New York. The program has already led the way for saving historic buildings, with one project of particular note.

The Eastman Dental Dispensary, designed in 1917 by Gordon, Madden & Kaelber, is located in Rochester at 800 East Main Street. Listed on our inaugural Five to Revive list, it was a classic example of a significant historic building in desperate need of investment.

It had been vacant for decades; its future was in jeopardy, and our community was in danger of losing a beautiful work of architecture. Our listing of the Dental Dispensary not only raised public awareness, it also assisted in leveraging funding. The Landmark Society took a priority role in saving this building, and now it is under renovation thanks to a development led by Edgemere Development and Home Leasing. The building will be used for senior housing and is already generating increased interest in the East Main corridor.

This project is a prime example of how beneficial the Five to Revive program is to our region. There are multiple projects being tackled by talented developers all over western New York that display how

patience and creativity pay off. We at The Landmark Society are pleased to be a significant partner in these efforts. This year’s new Five to Revive list is another excellent opportunity to highlight historic buildings that are in need, but also to encourage economic development potential through a creative use of heritage.

If you attended The Landmark Society’s 12th annual Inside Downtown Tour on the first weekend of October, you experienced firsthand how that creative use of heritage produces dynamic community results.Repurposing historic buildings makes positive impacts on community development and economic growth, but it also creates a dynamic and exciting downtown that is both attractive and competitive. If you didn’t make it last month, I hope to see you at future tours.

Finally, I ask each one of our supporters to participate in this year’s Annual Fund appeal, which will be mailed in the coming weeks. Our membership and program revenues only provide a portion of our organization’s operating expenses. Your generosity in our Annual Fund is critical to ensuring that our work continues.

As always, I sincerely thank each of you for your dedication, loyalty and support!

Wayne Goodman Executive Director

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Projects & Places

PRESERVATION SCORECARD

Keeping score? We are – here’s the latest on several preservation issues around the region.

by Caitlin Meives

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

24 Church St., Lyons This three-story commercial building sits adjacent to the Wayne County Courthouse, facing the square in the village of Lyons. Wayne County owns the long-vacant building, which has severe maintenance issues, including a collapsed roof and uninhabitable second and third floors. The County is currently considering demolition.

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American Hall Building, 59 Market St., Attica A major rehabilitation of this two-story commercial building was recently completed by local businessman, Bruce Camp. The project was funded in part by State and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits and was designed by In.Site:Architecture. The original woodwork on the storefront cornice, once covered by a sign-board, was uncovered during the rehab project, revealing intact architectural details that had been hiding for decades. This rehab project and an ongoing project were recently featured on our website.

See more photos of both buildings at www.landmarksociety.org/updates.

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Former Michelsen Furniture Factory, 182 Avenue D, Rochester & Former Rochester Plumbing Supply, 281 Mill Street, Rochester In August, the Urban League of Rochester Economic Development Corporation (ULREDC) held a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of the rehabilitation of these former industrial buildings. The buildings were adapted into a total of 59 affordable workforce rental apartments. The mix of one and two bedroom units serves individuals and families with total household incomes at or below 60% of area median income.

Both projects were funded, in part, with the State and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit programs.

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The Landmark Society of Western New York ||landmarksociety.org landmarksociety.org

WHERE THE #&@% AM I?

™

by Larry Francer In this issue we are highlighting Black Button Distilling. The YUPs had their very first event at this location a little over a year ago. At that point Black Button Distilling joined the coaster project and they have been great partners ever since. Jason Barrett, the founder of Black Button Distilling explained how this establishment got its interesting name, “Since 1922 my family has provided some of the finest men’s suit buttons available. For four generations these buttons have closed suits worn by Presidents, Popes, Kings, and Businessmen the world over. From a young age I went to work in my grandfather’s factory, but it was clear I was meant for a different path. I broke tradition and decided to make whiskey. The lessons I learned in his factory as a kid still guide me to this day; work hard, work with your hands, make your product the best on the market, and you can’t cheat time. My distillery pays homage to my grandfather and the world he knew – where real men worked hard and drank real pot distilled whiskey.” They released their first batch of Four Grain bourbon on September 25th. This is the first bourbon to be released in Rochester since prohibition. Along with Bourbon, Black Button Distilling is also known for their Citrus Forward Gin, Apple Pie Moonshine and

Zach Cedruly Jason Barrett, owner of Black Button Distilling welcomes Senator Schumer.

newly released Bourbon Cream which is making waves!

WHERE THE #&@% AM I? invites you to experience Black Button Distilling, try their small batch, grain to glass spirits and join them in raising a glass to Living Large in Small Batches.

Landmark Society Properties

by Larry Francer Many of our members may not be aware that The Landmark Society owns and maintains four properties. Besides our headquarters, the majestic Hoyt-Potter House, the sites have some stunning gardens and both urban and rural landscapes. Staff horticulturist, Beverly Gibson, had a very busy year keeping the locations manicured for those who had the pleasure to visit for special events or just a short walk. She reported that, in spite of a season of challenges from deer and woodchucks, Ellwanger Garden inspired praise from Lilac Festival and Peony Weekend visitors as well as guests from the Ellwanger Estate B&B. Our indispensable volunteers worked diligently to keep the garden looking its best. The highlight for the garden this year was the visit from a photographer from Country Gardens who was there to capture Ellwanger Garden’s magic for a spring 2016 issue of the magazine. The Stone-Tolan property

had some help on the grounds this spring beginning with the Allyn’s Creek Garden Club’s annual work day and a generous donation from one of its members for tree work. Rochester Corvette Club and Kodak Alaris volunteers for the Day of Caring removed mountains of tree, shrub and weed debris making a huge improvement in the appearance of the grounds. StoneTolan was also the location of Good Luck’s first Inspired Table Field Trip. We were excited to partner with Mike Calabrese and his staff on this epicurean picnic at a communal table that stretched across the beautiful landscape of Stone-Tolan. It was an unforgettable evening under the stars that the guests will be talking about years to come. And it seems like every time we have another event at St Joseph’s Park, people can’t stop raving about the beauty and otherworldly qualities of our urban park. St Joe’s is closed for the Winter, but watch for the reopening in the Spring.

Richard Margolis Stone-Tolan

Ellwanger Garden

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Projects & Places

2015 Five To Revive

by Cynthia Howk The heart of preservation is community revitalization. In 2013, we launched the Five to Revive program, a list that calls attention to five properties in Western New York that are in need of investment.

Whether buildings, landscapes, or structures, they are significant historic properties whose rehabilitations can become catalytic projects for the neighborhoods and communities that surround them.

Each year, these five properties become priority projects for The Landmark Society, as we work collaboratively with owners, municipal officials and developers to facilitate investment and foster rehabilitation. The ultimate goal is to return these important historic resources

to a place of prominence in their respective communities as economic and social assets that spark even more investment and revitalization.

Most of our 2014 Five to Revive properties have moved closer to that goal: The Hillside Cemetery and Chapel in Orleans County was recently awarded a major grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation to assist with repairs to the chapel, while several new special events at the cemetery have attracted many first-time visitors. The former Trinity Episcopal Church in Seneca Falls is the focus of ongoing discussions about its reuse by a local developer. The Erie Canal Warehouse in Brockport received a grant and local advocates are completing a final

report highlighting potential uses for the building. The Auditorium Theatre complex in Rochester remains the local venue for touring Broadway productions and special events. The Landmark Society and the City of Rochester are partnering on a multiyear project to survey historic properties throughout the city and update the City’s Designated Buildings of Historic Value list.

The 2015 Five to Revive are prominent buildings in each of their respective communities. Although they are at-risk, each has great potential to spark positive change. This year, we have included a thematic listing, Fraternal Meeting Halls, to underscore the threat to this building type across our region.

Former Wollensak Optical Company

❶ Richard Margolis

872 Hudson Avenue • City of Rochester, Monroe County Built in 1918 from plans by renowned Rochester architect J. Foster Warner, the Wollensak Optical Company building is an outstanding example of early 20th century industrial design. It served as the headquarters and production facilities for the Wollensak Company, which became one of the largest manufacturers of camera shutters in the United States. The building’s distinctive design features brick and terra cotta construction, highlighted by an elegant cast iron-and-beveled glass canopy over the main entrance. Located on the corner of Hudson and Avenue D, this highly visible landmark is an important anchor in the 14621 neighborhood. Long vacant, it has great potential for adaptive reuse.

Main St. East/North Clinton Avenue Retail District

❷ Richard Margolis

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132-226 E. Main Street and 1-17 Clinton Avenue North City of Rochester, Monroe County Located in the heart of the city’s historic shopping district, this block-long collection of retail buildings features important examples of commercial architecture constructed between the 1860s and 1940s. After the great Sibley fire of 1904, new retail buildings were constructed here to accommodate larger stores. By the 1970s, however, a number of these retail operations had closed and new uses were proposed for these buildings, including “The Mill” shopping mall and “Renaissance Square,” which featured a major performing arts center. Today, renewed interest in these underutilized buildings and the ongoing rehabilitation of many adjacent properties, signals an opportunity to rehabilitate one of the city’s most distinctive commercial blocks.

The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

Lockwood-Alhart Cobblestone House and Retail Plaza

1090 Culver Road • City of Rochester, Monroe County Built c. 1835, this Greek Revival house is the only surviving cobblestone building in the city. Originally located in the town of Brighton, this handsome residence was once surrounded by a 100-acre farm. By the early 1900s, the neighborhood was annexed into the city and many new residential streets were laid out. By the late 1940s, the Alhart family purchased the house and subsequently built the Mid-Century Modern retail plaza next door. In recent decades, the house was converted into apartments and the retail plaza greatly changed. With its unique character and prominent location, this historic house is a major landmark in the Culver-Merchants-Beechwood area. Its renovation could serve as an important catalyst for further revitalization in this historic neighborhood.

❸ Richard Margolis

Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building

302 Court Street • Village of Little Valley, Cattaraugus County Built 1911, the Cattaraugus County Memorial and Historical Building is a unique example of a Civil War Memorial that was designed for use as a municipal building. Designed by the Jamestown architecture firm of Freeburg and Fidler, the Memorial Building is located in Little Valley, the county seat for Cattaraugus County. The building is prominently sited on the village green, adjacent to the County office building. An elegant Neoclassical style building, it once housed a library and, until 2004, the County Historical Museum. In 2013, county officials announced plans for its demolition. A newly formed organization, Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP), has been working with The Landmark Society to advocate for reuse. A highly visible landmark for over 100 years, the Memorial Building has excellent potential for rehabilitation as a community resource in the 21st century.

❹ Jill Nowicki, Clinton Brown Company Architecture, pc.

Fraternal Meeting Halls

Rochester/Genesee Valley/Western New York region Among the most iconic buildings in American communities during the 19th and early 20th centuries were meeting halls for fraternal and social organizations. Groups such as the Grange, Masons, Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) and Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) drew thousands of members to their ranks. Meeting halls served as major venues for community activities. Three distinctive examples of these important buildings in our region are the Grange Hall (1884) on North Huron Road in the town of Huron, Wayne County; the Carter Memorial G.A.R. Hall (1906) on Main St. in the village of Nunda, Livingston County; and the former I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Hall and Commercial Block (1890) on Route 5 in the hamlet of Stafford, Genesee County. With changing times, many fraternal organizations have disbanded or have dwindling membership and financial resources, leaving their historic meeting halls in jeopardy. An important cultural and historic resource, these buildings have great potential for adaptive reuse.

❺ Richard Margolis Grange Hall, Town of Huron

Jill Nowicki, Clinton Brown Company Architecture, pc.

Richard Margolis Odd Fellows Hall, Stafford

Richard Margolis Carter Memorial Hall, Nunda

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Projects & Places

The 2015 Preservation Awards Presented On November 15

by Cynthia Howk, Architectural Research Coordinator Join us on Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 p.m. for The Landmark Society’s 2015 Annual Awards.

This special ceremony will take place in Rochester’s historic City Hall at 30 Church Street in downtown Rochester.

Barber Conable Award The Barber Conable Award recognizes a large-scale rehabilitation of a historic building in our region completed within the past two years. This includes buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places and projects utilizing the Federal Investment Tax Credit Program.

Carriage Factory Apartments 33 Litchfield Street, city of Rochester

Awards are given to individuals and organizations in our nine-county area that have made outstanding efforts in the preservation of their homes, public buildings, historic properties, and landscapes.

300 Alexander 300 Alexander Street, city of Rochester

Award of Merit The Award of Merit is for the sympathetic rehabilitation of a historic building or structure in our nine-county region completed within the past two years.

Hilton Garden Inn 155 East Main Street, city of Rochester

Cynthia Fay 300 Alexander

Carriage Factory Apartments

The Carriage Factory Apartments were originally built in 1908 as part of the Cunningham Carriage Company’s vast manufacturing complex. This industrial building has been rehabilitated into 71 loft- style, affordable apartments by the DePaul Properties, Inc. The worldrenowned Cunningham Company produced carriages, motor vehicles and plane motors in this building. After decades of vacancy, the building was acquired by DePaul Properties, Inc. Listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places, the building was rehabilitated using the Federal Investment Tax Credit program. This $23.5 million project was designed by SWBR Architects, with Christa Construction as project contractor.

Courtesy of The Rochesteriat.

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300 Alexander is a major project which features a former seminary dormitory rehabilitated into luxury apartments.

Built in the 1870s as Trevor Hall for students at Rochester Theological Seminary, it continued its residential use through the early 20th century. In the 1940s, it was used as a barracks for World War II Army flying cadets. Acquired by Mark IV Enterprises, the Neoclassical style building has been rehabilitated into 58 luxury apartments. Listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places, 300 Alexander was rehabilitated using the Federal Investment Tax Credit program. This $8 million project was designed by Bero Architecture, PLLC , with Barkstrom & LaCroix Architects, working with developer Mark IV Enterprises.

The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

Hilton Garden Inn

This distinctive project features the transformation of a former 1920s department store into a modern hotel.

One of only three department stores designed by architect J. Foster Warner, this elegant, 1924, Beaux Arts building was originally the home of the National Clothing Company. Located in the city’s shopping district, the store continued operation until the mid 1970s. In recent decades, commercial and banking tenants occupied the building. Acquired in 2013 by DHD Ventures, the building underwent a creative rehabilitation and expansion into a 116-room boutique hotel. This $16 million project opened in March of this year. Listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places, the building rehabilitation was completed using the Federal Investment Tax Credit program.

Birkett Landing 130 Water Street, village of Penn Yan, Yates Co.

Birkett Landing

Standing prominently above Keuka Lake Outlet in the village of Penn Yan, this challenging project features the adaptive reuse of three former industrial buildings as a mixed-use complex with 6,000 square feet of commercial space, 13 upscale apartments and a fitness center. Constructed between 1850 and 1900, these heavy-timber-frame industrial buildings were previously owned by Birkett Mills, one of the largest producers of buckwheat products in the world. They were acquired by developer Chrisanntha Construction Corporation, Inc., who worked with architects Mossien Associates of Rochester and Iverson Construction Corporation of Gorham, NY to complete this $6 million project.

Listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places, the buildings were rehabilitated using the Federal Investment Tax Credit program.

Historic Landscape Award The Historic Landscape Award recognizes and encourages the preservation, restoration and stewardship of historically significant landscapes in our 9-county region.

Linwood Gardens 1912 York Road, town of York, Livingston Co.

Linwood Gardens

One of the Genesee Valley’s most enchanting destinations was created between 1901 and 1910 by Boston landscape architect Thomas Fox for William H. Gratwick II, a prominent Buffalo industrialist. Third and fourth generation Gratwicks continue to reside here. Listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places, this 300-acre property is renowned for its designed gardens, whimsical architecture and tree peony collections, which were first developed in the 1940s by William H. Gratwick III. The gardens are open to the public during the annual “Tree Peony Festival” in May.

Historic Home Award The Historic Home Award is given to owners of private residences for their continued care of and commitment to the preservation of an architecturally significant house over a minimum of seven years.

140 Brookwood Road Brighton, New York Owners: Michael & Elizabeth Brandt

140 Brookwood Road

This handsome Tudor Revival style residence was built in 1929 from a design by Rochester architect Leander McCord. It was originally the model home for the Brown Brother’s extension of their successful “Browncroft” residential development. This Brighton neighborhood features winding roads, generous lots and the “Triangle of Safety” park all created by landscape architect Francis Hastings Gott. The house was purchased in 2004 by the Brandts, who are only the fourth owners of this property. The rehabilitation of the house, a decade-long project, required extensive interior and exterior work, including roof repair, copper flashing, new gutters and woodwork restoration.

Paul Malo Award for Community Preservation Advocacy Alice Burdick Village of Dansville, Livingston Co., NY A member of The Landmark Society’s Regional Preservation Network Committee since the late 1980s, Dansville resident Alice Alice Burdick Burdick has been an outstanding advocate for historic preservation in Livingston County. If you want to know what’s happening in the greater Dansville area – politics, real estate, business, tourism – ask Alice! Her networking initiatives through countless public programs and dinner meetings (often at her house) have connected residents with preservation professionals from regional and state organizations.

These partnerships have resulted in many successful preservation projects, including the listing of buildings and Dansville’s Main Street Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. Her knowledge of the community and savvy instincts for preservation planning have also benefited adjacent communities such as Ossian, Sparta and her hometown of Cohocton. With Alice’s ongoing support, Dansville has completed an impressive number of preservation projects, which resulted in their selection as the host community for our 2011 Preservation Conference.

Special Achievement Award The Special Achievement Award recognizes accomplishments that have occurred over a lengthy period of time.

Robert Englert Historic Preservation Program Analyst for Rochester/Genesee Valley region, 1985 –2015 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation A native of Rochester’s 19th Ward, Bob began his preservation work as a high school student, when he volunteered at The Landmark Society in the 1970s.

Studies at Syracuse and Cornell

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universities led to a career in historic preservation.

In 1978, he completed a Landmark Society internship, compiling documentation Robert Englert for two applications to the National Register of Historic Places: Richardson’s Canal House Inn and the Pultneyville Historic District.

In 1985, Bob joined the field service division of the New York State Office of Historic Preservation. As a program analyst, his work took him throughout our region, where he coordinated Historic Resources Surveys, National Register nominations and preservation outreach to communities. Bob established connections with first-time preservation advocates, assisting them with navigating government programs and regulations.

Bob’s methodical approach, combined with a razor-sharp sense of humor, established a record of preservation success stories. His commitment to historic preservation over three decades resulted in the revitalization of countless historic resources and neighborhoods throughout the western New York region.

Tania Werbizky Regional Director for Preservation and Grant Programs, 1989–2014 The Preservation League of New York State A staff member of the Preservation League of New York State for over 25 years, Tania was the first fulltime employee of their newly created Technical Services program, Tania Werbizky when she joined their staff in 1989.

During her time at the League, she helped countless New Yorkers to save the meaningful places in their communities, providing expertise, preservation strategies and boundless enthusiasm for New York’s historic places. She partnered with the New York State Council on the Arts, initiating some of the League’s most successful programs, including

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the Preserve New York Grant and the Preservation Colleagues program. She was also instrumental in establishing the Rural New York Grant and the League’s Upper Floors Workshop program. Tania coordinated nominations to the League’s “Seven to Save” program, which brings attention to historic properties that have the potential for rehabilitation. Tania has left a legacy of service and dedication to our region’s historic resources that will benefit these communities for many years to come.

Special Citation A Special Citation provides recognition for projects that do not fit into other categories or recognizes outstanding individual or group accomplishments in the field of historic preservation.

Maplewood Neighborhood Association 19th Ward Community Association South Wedge Planning Committee Rochester, New York

Maplewood Residence

The Awards Committee recognizes these three outstanding organizations for their innovative urban revitalization strategies over many decades of work in their neighborhoods. With its historic architecture and magnificent Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks, the Maplewood area has benefited greatly from the work of its neighborhood association, which celebrates the strengths and creativity of the residents, encourages home ownership and maintains the character of the neighborhood. The designation and expansion of the National Register-listed Maplewood Historic District has proven a very successful strategy to encourage the rehabilitation of the historic houses located there.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the 19th Ward Community Association strives to preserve the residential

The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

character of its neighborhood by fostering a multi-racial community where people share a sense of pride and culture, as well as history. Recently, the Association sponsored the designation of four new National Register Historic Districts to further encourage the rehabilitation of its historic homes. The South Wedge Planning Committee is a partnership of neighbors and entrepreneurs working together to preserve the city’s South Wedge Urban Village. SWPC began in 1975 as an outreach program of Calvary St. Andrews Church, with strong support from Rev. Judy Lee Hay. It has grown to include many diverse volunteers, whose leadership has resulted in the designation of a large National Register Historic District, to promote the renovation of the historic buildings in the neighborhood.

Craftsman Award Steve Jordan Preservation consultant and window specialist, Rochester, New York With experience extending over six decades, Steve Jordan is an artisan, whose work as a skilled craftsman, preservation consultant, and author, has assisted property owners and design professionals, in restoring historic buildings throughout New York State.

A native of western Tennessee with a Master’s degree in historic preservation from Cornell University, Steve joined the Landmark Society staff in 1991 as our rehabilitation advisor and completed the award-winning, “Rehab Rochester: A Guide for Old-House Maintenance, Repair, and Rehabilitation.” Subsequent work at Bero Architecture, PLLC and as an independent preservation contractor was combined with articles for “The Old House Journal” magazine, as a contributing editor. A long-time advocate for historic windows and their repair, he recently completed”The Window Sash Bible: A Guide to Maintaining and Restoring Old Wood Windows,” which puts his many decades of experience into one publication.

Steve Jordan

Events

Cape May: America’s Oldest Seaside Resort

Monday, September 12 through Thursday September 15, 2016

by Cindy Boyer It’s nice to dream about a trip to the seaside as we head into the winter months. Imagine staying at an elegant oceanside resort, strolling in a charming village filled with Victorian era cottages, shops, and hotels, dining in historic houses and traditional beachfront eateries and gazing out at the Atlantic from a comfortable lawn chair or beach seat.

Now, imagine you don’t have to call or email to book the resort, reserve the tours, get the good restaurant seating – you don’t even have to drive there!

It’s not a dream! Travel with us next September to historic Cape May, New Jersey – and we will take care of all the details. We include all meals, accommodation, transportation, taxes and gratuities. All you need to do is reserve with us, pack and show up on the departure morning prepared to have an amazing travel experience.

With our executive director Wayne Goodman we’ll spend four days and three nights exploring this National Historic Landmark District on foot, by trolley, and by boat. We’ll stay at Congress Hall, a Cape Resort. A destination in its own right, this beachside site has welcomed resort guests for almost two centuries, with the current building constructed in 1878. It was restored to its former glory in 2002, and is the premier accommodation in Cape May, with an expansive lawn stretching to the beach.

By boat we’ll circle Cape May, getting the overview of some of the over 600 elaborate gingerbread decorated Victorian houses. By trolley we’ll get a closer look, as we travel down narrow, charming streets. On foot we’ll get right inside, including a tour in two opulent mansions, an 1859 lighthouse and an award winning garden.

As usual on a Landmark trip, our dining experiences will be at interesting and historic locations. They will give you the wide scope of Cape May dining experiences, from fine dining to beach casual to an elegant Twinings Tea Room supper.

Give yourself something to dream about over our long Rochester winter.

The deadline for reservation is June 1st – however our last three tours sold out well in advance. Don’t be disappointed!

Reserve your space by calling (585) 5467029 x11 or downloading the registration forms at landmarksociety.org.

Member double Occupancy

$1,520

Nonmember double Occupancy

$1,720

Single supplement

$412

What’s included: 3 nights’ accommodation, all meals (from Monday lunch through Thursday lunch), deluxe motorcoach transportation, taxes and gratuities and the company of Landmark Society executive director and staff.

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Preservation.

An investment that benefits us all.

We salute the work of The Landmark Society of Western New York.

Hugh Hamlin Senior Vice President–Wealth Management 585-218-4500 hugh.a.hamlin@ubs.com

100 Chestnut Street | Suite 1200 | Rochester, NY 14604 | (585) 423-1860 www.MengelMetzgerBarr.com

400 Linden Oaks Rochester, NY 14625 ubs.com/fs

We will not rest

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, we offer both investment advisory and brokerage services. These services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate contracts. For more information on the distinctions between our brokerage and investment advisory services, please speak with your Financial Advisor or visit our website at ubs.com/workingwithus. ©UBS 2014. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. 7.11_Ad_5.5x8_RA0417_HamH

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WinnDevelopment is g into the centerpiece transforming The Sibley vitalizedBuilding Downtown. into the centerpiece of a revitalized Downtown.

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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

Corn Hill

Holiday Tour of Homes 12.5.2015

CMC Ad Here

10am.1pm.4pm

Richard Margolis Art + Architectural Photography

585.473.0070 • www.richardmargolis.com

Tickets $25 at www.cornhillholidaytourofhomes.com or call 585.262.3142

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Events

2015 Jubilee Celebration

Generations: Preserving, Sharing & Sustaining Presented by First Niagara and RBC Wealth Management

by Carolyn Haygood, Community Relations Associate The Landmark Society is passionate about ensuring that not only the present but future generations will be able to experience and discover their own connections to historic landscapes, buildings and sustainable neighborhoods. Consider this quote by Wayne Goodman, Landmark Society’s Executive Director, “Every generation inherits a new set of historic buildings. We have to be prepared to meet the needs of all generations.” As current stewards of these historic legacies we must not only embrace innovation but demonstrate and Memorial Art Gallery communicate its importance to the generations after us. We need a continual stream of fresh, relevant and new ideas and improved approaches to ensure our historic landmarks will be around for generations to come.

Sunday, December 6th, 2015 Preservation Reflection & Special Awards 5:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m (free) Jubilee 6:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m.

So what better place to have our annual Jubilee “Generations: Preserving, Sharing & Sustaining” than at the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester, Rochester’s civic art museum at 500 University Avenue. This is a place that makes art and history a part of our lives for all generations through innovative and creative workshops, family day hands on activities and lifelong learning tours, lectures and programming.

The evening will commence at 5:00pm in the Memorial Art Gallery Auditorium with a free “Reflections on Preservation” presentation, highlighting the past year’s accomplishments, as well as what is on the horizon and special award presentations. The celebratory party begins at 6pm in the beautiful Bausch & Lomb Parlor and M&T Bank Ballroom where you can experience live musical entertainment, silent auction, delicious hors d’ oeuvres, fabulous sweet treats and complimentary wine and beer sponsored by Constellation Brands Inc. and North American Breweries, as well as a cash bar.

Richard Margolis

The evening’s entertainment will feature Geneva NY musicians Cool Club Quintet with Marilla Cool Club Quintet Lipker and Rochester’s very own local future stars Daily Milestone. The Cool Club Band was started by guitarist Rick Hoyt over 10 years ago to play his original compositions, which mix the genres of swing, boogie-woogie, ragtime and blues. Having recruited horn players to join the group, particularly multi-instrumentalist Tom McClure, he found himself obliged to develop some jazz chops as well.

Recently Marilla Lipker and her sisters often have been singing with the band, providing yet another dimension of harmony (and pulchritude). The Rochester group Daily Milestone describes their Kristen McNicholas sound as “hoping to change the world one note at a time.” Originally formed when three fellow Gates-Chili Marching Band members joined together through their common interest of pursing a musical career: pianist Parker Story, singer Brynna Dillon, and guitarist Andrew Dinsmore, first took more of an approach towards heartfelt, acoustic songs. With the addition of drummer Austin Porrata to the band in early 2015, they now encompass

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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

anything from jazz to alternative rock.

They will share with us a fresh, eclectic mix of musical inspiration, and a genuine creative chemistry.

Jubilee Sponsors TITLE SPONSORS

Don’t miss this special event to celebrate Landmark Society’s past and future success. This event is open to the general public, so please invite your friends!

Tickets go on sale online November 2nd; only $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers to the most exciting social event on the fall calendar. Advance ticket sales only; tickets will not be sold at the door. Make sure you wear your dancing shoes and come prepared to bid on an assortment of irresistible auction items!

Edgemere Real Estate Development Consulting

Lee & Staffan Lundback

Custom plywood & lumber crating, pallets & more Family owned since 1948

Daily Milestone

✂

The Nominating Committee, chaired by Trustee Hugh Hamlin, recommends the following individuals for election:

New Trustees: (To serve for three years) John Billone Jr., Grant Holcomb and Marjorie Searl Renewing Trustees: (To serve for three years) Tom Castelein, Kate Karl, Carol Mullin, Louis Nau, Jeffrey Pollock, Richard Sarkis, William Sullivan, Jerry Ludwig and Stacey VanDenburgh Retiring Trustees: Many thanks for your years of dedicated service.

Michael Mincher

Cannot attend?

Please mail Proxy form to: The Landmark Society of Western New York 133 South Fitzhugh Street Rochester, New York 14608

Proxy The undersigned member of The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc., does hereby make, constitute and appoint Board President Jeffrey Pollock, the true and lawful attorney or attorneys, proxy or proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution for and on behalf of the undersigned to vote at the Annual Meeting of said Society to be held at Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York on December 6th, 2015.

Date ___________________, 2015 Signature __________________________________________________

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People

Member Profile Steve Jordan

by Wayne Goodman Q Steve, you are not originally from western

parlors and the opportunity to write the New York. Where are you from, and what book, Rehab Rochester, A Sensible Guide brought you to this region? for Old-House Maintenance, Repair and I grew up in Halls, Tennessee, near Rehabilitation. the Mississippi River; it’s a farming community where my family settled in Q Why do you believe so passionately in about 1850. I studied history at Memphis historic preservation?

State University (now the University of I’ve always thought historic homes, Memphis) and later lived in Boulder, neighborhoods and commercial districts Colorado, and Tahlequah, Oklahoma. make our communities desirable, exciting My wife and I moved to New York for me places to live. I don’t want to visit a place to study historic preservation planning at that looks like every other place – why leave Cornell. She taught art in Cortland and home? Unfortunately, most people never I could not have done it without her. give this a thought; a new mall or shopping

center sounds great, but at what price?

Do you remember when and how you first Name a vibrant, attractive town or city Q got interested in historic preservation? and you can be sure historic preservation A cousin once visited me and looking has something to do with it. I also believe around my apartment commented that preservation is a great example of the speaking, saving our windows is the right I was a “nostalgia” buff. I had never domino theory, in both directions. You lose thing to do, and despite contrary reports, thought of myself that way but always incrementally until it’s all gone or you save they can be made to perform as well as liked antique furniture and history. As a and improve until it’s all wonderful. Either most replacement windows. kid, the houses that intrigued me were way, it slips up on you. the dilapidated old homes that were Q Where can people go to purchase the book? abandoned or uncared for. One by one Q As a long time member of The Landmark The book is available at The Landmark they disappeared from fire or neglect, Society, why do you encourage others to Society, Historic Houseparts and Amazon. and I took each loss personally. In high join and support our organization?

Read more about it at school the state funded a new school The Landmark Society does good work, www.windowsashbible.com complex and we moved out of our elegant and Rochester is a better place to live early twentieth-century building with my because of its efforts. Without it, East Q What else would you like to add? grandfather’s name on the cornerstone Avenue would be a shadow of itself, We all need to encourage and support the into the new windowless school composed historic Corn Hill would be gone, the training and education of young people of pods, it was awful. Abandoned and Abeles building in the South Wedge would in the skilled building trades. College is open to vandals, the old school burned be gone – replaced by a Rite-Aid, Spot not for everyone, and you can make a down. It still annoys me.

Coffee would be gone; and I can go on and rewarding, gratifying living in the trades. on. When working for young people, I It’s an under-appreciated opportunity. always encourage them to get involved in Q You actually used to work for The Landmark Society – What type of work Landmark and the community. did you do for the organization?

The executive director gave me the Q You have recently authored a book on title “Rehab Advisor,” and I ran with preserving historic windows that is getting it. I worked to improve the contractor significant and positive national reviews list, monitor the covenant properties from major sources. What is the book and helped homeowners understand about? maintenance and repair priorities. I My book, The Window Sash Bible, is about worked with various local craftsmen restoring and maintaining old wood who delivered workshops and informal windows and ultimately retaining these sessions on various old-house topics character defining, significant details of and wrote the House Notes column for older houses and buildings. It’s ten chapters the newsletter. Most of all I remember with illustrations, historic details and the restoration work on the Stone-Tolan almost everything you need to know about house (especially the new privy), the repair, maintenance, weatherstripping, research and rehab of the Hoyt-Potter painting and safety. Environmentally

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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

People

The YUP-date

by Caitlin Meives Up to their usual antics, the YUPs (Young Urban Preservationists) have continued their work to get more of the young and young at heart involved in preservation.

This August, four members from the group appeared on 1370 Connections with Evan Dawson to discuss the group as well as preservation issues, current developments and opportunities in our city. This was a terrific opportunity for us to spread the word about the YUPs and encourage more folks to get involved.

In addition to appearing on Connections, the YUPs also hosted a launch party for

www.landmarksociety.org/yup

YUP

!

the WHERE THE #&@% AM I? coaster project at Cure. This project provides a network of historic bars, pubs and local watering holes with coasters which contain a scan-able QR code linking smart phone users with titillating tidbits about the location’s evolution. The event was a sell out with a large group of supporters enjoying cocktails and sausages on a delightful summer evening.

YUP steering committee member, Bradley Huber, had his house included in the September issue of This Old House Magazine. The feature included several

photographs of his 1930 Craftsman Bungalow in the Winona Woods Neighborhood of Irondequoit along with a light-hearted article explaining the process of his budget-minded restoration.

This fall the YUPs also participated in Rochester Park(ing) Day on September 18th. Park(ing) Day is an annual event that takes place across the world where citizens turn metered parking spaces into temporary public parks, pop-up shops or other more enjoyable spaces.

www.facebook.com/YoungUrbanPreservationists

@YoungUrbanPres

Left: YUPs with Evan Dawson, host of 1370 Connections.

Above, Coaster launch party at Cure.

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People

Writers & Landmarks Personal & Pithy

by Kerri Pierce Monroe County wears many faces. One of them is the small, canal-side community of Bushnell’s Basin, whose houses are overshadowed by old, deciduous trees, whose backyards meander onto wooded paths, and whose inhabitants, among others, include black ground squirrels and pileated woodpeckers. It was here four years ago that my husband and I, on a whirlwind weekend (twenty plus houses in three days), pregnant with our first child, decided to live. The thing that settled us: a mossy patch of ground, a sprawling green shade, and door birds. A pair of dark-eyed juncos, nesting on the door that, a month later, would be ours.

The Basin’s identity, of course – and that of the green, suburban spaces it comprises – is inextricably bound with the Erie Canal, whose arterial history shapes and connects the communities that have sprung – like cracks from a fissure, I want to say, although that metaphor probably has more poetry than truth – alongside

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it: Pittsford, Fairport, Palmyra . . . Not to mention the cities the canal was built to connect: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse . . .

Albany. To live within sight of the Erie Canal, nearly two centuries old now, is to live with the landmark – the watermark – consciousness of history, of transit, of other places, connected, yet diverse, the local and the global, not to mention the consciousness of what human ingenuity, both angel and trickster, can accomplish.

Four years later, our own mossy patch of ground here in Bushnell’s Basin is overstrewn – a baseball bat, a water table, a rocking horse, the debris of daily toddler living. Our routine has come to incorporate all that the Basin offers: canal jogs, bicycle trips to visit the old locks, moonlit frog walks down the hill that forms our street, not to mention baby-strapped forays into Powder Mills Park, accompanied, as always, by raucous, honking disagreement: the Canada geese versus the wood ducks.

The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

Four years later, I feel like we are still settling in, exploring our surroundings, getting to know Monroe County, the city of Rochester, western New York. And yet, as we do so, I can’t help but think: from season to season, as we watch our children grow, surrounded by green, within sight of the Erie Canal, it will be with that consciousness of history, of transit, of other places, geographical and temporal, our lifetime and that of others, connected, yet diverse, as our children, from the launching point of Bushnell’s Basin, do what children have always done: explore the world and find the faces it contains.

Kerri Pierce is a writer and translator of, primarily, Scandinavian languages. Her translations span several genres and, among other things, have appeared in The New Yorker.

She has two beautiful children and is beyond grateful to have ended up in the Rochester area.

Illustration by Mark Payton

People

The Landmark Legacy Society Gifts for Future Generations The Landmark Legacy Society recognizes those thoughtful individuals who have included us in their estate plans in the past, as well as those who are committing to do so today.

A planned gift is a complementary element to personal estate planning. When you make your personal estate plans you ensure that future generations in your family will benefit from having the resources to care for one another. When you include a planned gift, you are ensuring that future generations in your community will benefit from The Landmark Society having the resources to care for and encourage preservation of the historic structures that support dynamic and sustainable communities in western New York.

Planned gifts in the form of monetary bequests or real estate are welcomed by the organization. Our staff would very much appreciate knowing about your intentions in advance so that we can better prepare to receive such a bequest. Your intention can be kept anonymous if you wish.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Landmark Legacy Society, we only ask that you send us your intention in

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

Mary Ellen Bertram

writing and include your current contact information. We would be pleased to list your name among our Landmark Legacy Society members and invite you to an annual social gathering solely for members of this select group.

Please contact us if you would like to receive our planned giving brochure at (585) 546-7029, extension 10. Thank you, in advance, for your thoughtful contribution and your interest in continuing our important preservation work for future generations.

Did you know membership dollars are a significant part of our operating budget?

Please encourage friends and colleagues to join you in supporting the work we’re doing.

Join on our website at landmarksociety.org/giving or give us a call at (585)546-7029 x 16 and we’ll be glad to send you membership forms or sign you up on the spot.

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TIME, TROUBLE & THOUSANDS

See how easy a new kitchen can be

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SAVE THE DATE! May 5–7, 2016

…for the 2016 New York Statewide Preservation Conference

Preservation50: NYS | May 5–7 in Albany and Troy We’re moving east to the Capital Region to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). This year’s theme is Preservation50: NYS. Preservation50 is a nationwide effort to celebrate, learn from, and leverage the NHPA’s first five decades to assure historic preservation’s vibrant future in America. The 2016 Conference will be all about celebrating our past achievements and planning for the future of historic preservation in New York State.

Conference Partners: