LANDMARKS SPRING 2016: VOLUME LIV, NUMBER I
NY STATEWIDE PRESERVATION CONFERENCE
MAY 5-7, 20 20166 | Page 100 & 11
THE LANDMARK SOC SOCIETY CIETY OOFF W WESTERN ESTERN NEW YORK
WWW.LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG
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. and this issue was designed by Darren Cotton.
10-11
Preservation Conference
133 South Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, New York 14608
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Projects & Places Preservation Scorecard Spring into Landmark Gardens 2016 Five to Revive Update St. Joseph’s Park Report
4 5 6 6
Spring Activities
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Events Landmark Society Travel Tour 2015 Annual Jubilee Recap
PHONE / FAX
April Fools Tour
P: (585) 546-7029 F: (585) 546-4788
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2016 NYS Preservation Conference
Cover Photo: Kelly DeLay
ADDRESS
Feature
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Travel Tour
info@landmarksociety.org
WEB www.landmarksociety.org
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People The YUP-date Member Profile Writers & Landmarks Membership Info Legacy Society
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.
YUPs at the Jubilee
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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 Glenn Kellogg Delores Radney John Billone Jr. Bleu Cease Drew Costanza Jean France Sandra Frankel Andy Germanow Grant Holcomb Kate Karl Jerry Ludwig
Lee Lundback Bill Moehle Carol S. Mullin Louis P. Nau Ed Olinger Jason Roberts Richard Sarkis Marjorie Searl Jeffrey Skuse Burt Speer 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.
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
STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Wayne Goodman DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS Cindy Boyer ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PRESERVATION Larry Francer HORTICULTURIST Beverly Gibson COMMUNITY RELATIONS ASSOCIATE Carolyn Haygood MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATE Norma Jean Hildreth
ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR Cynthia Howk 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 The Landmark Society of Western New York will soon host the New York State Preservation Conference. There is, perhaps, no other program that accomplishes our mission better. What started out years ago as a small gathering of preservationists, has now grown to be the largest preservation conference in the Northeastern United States. Several years ago we decided to expand the conference’s reach. We saw a clear need to offer quality educational sessions that span a spectrum of topics. The sessions are as diverse as the audiences, ranging from how to utilize historic rehabilitation tax credits for large-scale developments, to more localized strategies on how to tap into a neighborhood’s historic charm, to homeowner focused sessions on how to maintain a historic home or utilize the New York State residential tax credit program. Last year’s statewide conference in Geneva “sold out,” with over 350 attendees. It represented a vast increase from 2014 and almost triple the attendance of past years. Architects, engineers, real estate developers and other professionals learn tangible strategies that provide immediate benefit. Neighborhood and community volunteers find numerous sessions relevant to their needs. And, of course, a multitude of homeowners attend the conference – year after year. We also don’t forget the “fun factor.” Parties and receptions allow attendees to network and exchange ideas. I am impressed by our ability to offer all of this for a fraction of the price that other statewide conferences charge. We are thankful to our myriad of sponsors and underwriters, who make this possible. Our corporate, governmental and nonprofit partners are critical. This year, in a truly unprecedented level of partnership, we are working alongside the New York
State Historic Preservation Office, The Preservation League of New York State and Historic Albany Foundation to host the conference in the Capital Region. While The Landmark Society is still the primary host organization, we are excited to capture new audiences farther east and downstate. It is our hope that these new audiences will attend the 2017 conference, which will be held once again in Rochester. I invite you to join us at this year’s conference. I think you will agree with me that it will be well worth the drive to Albany-Troy. I would like to thank our major supporter, the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation and our title sponsors: Rochester Colonial and The Preservation League of New York State. As mentioned above, we are also appreciative of Ruth Pierpont and her staff at the State Historic Preservation Office, as well as the staff of The Preservation League of New York State and Historic Albany Foundation. All have contributed time and critical financial support. But, most importantly, I thank all of you – our members and donors – who honestly make everything we do at The Landmark Society possible. All the best,
Wayne Goodman Executive Director
LANDMARKS | SPRING 2016
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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
SAFE
SAFE
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Former Congregation B’nai Israel synagogue
Former Lutheran Church
Commercial building,
Village of Clyde, Wayne County
Linden St., City of Geneva, Ontario County
Things are looking up for this unique religious building in the village of Clyde. Tucked between houses on a residential street, the congregation that owns the building vacated it a few years ago, leaving it empty and deteriorating. Due to the efforts of a nearby resident, the congregation agreed to convey the property to a new owner. In preparation for transfer of ownership, the congregation also put a new roof on the building, preventing further water infiltration and deterioration.
This two story 19th century commercial building is located in downtown Geneva on Linden Street, a narrow commercial block that is home to a rising tide of local bars, eateries and rehabilitated historic buildings. It has been vacant for a number of years and requires significant and costly repairs. At this time, ownership and plans for the building remain uncertain.
682 Joseph Ave., Rochester The future looks hopeful for this long-vacant former synagogue in the city of Rochester. The Joseph Avenue Arts and Cultural Alliance is actively working towards fundraising and a rehabilitation plan for this neighborhood landmark. The organization has already listed the building in the State and National Registers of Historic Places and is in the process of evaluating fundraising and design options that will ultimately result in the building being transformed into a performing arts center.
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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
Spring into Landmark Gardens 2016 by Beverly Gibson, Landmark Society Horticulturist Ever wondered about what you might see blooming around the Stone-Tolan House in early spring? Have you seen Ellwanger Garden in early May? We tend to focus on flowers that bloom later in the season like the flamboyant peonies on display in Ellwanger Garden or the large swath of pink heirloom roses near the Stone-Tolan kitchen garden. Some people get to see the transition from spring to summer and even into the fall and early winter. They are our loyal gardening volunteers. Here are a few treasures that you might see if you join our volunteer minions. There are many early ephemeral gems that are no less beautiful than their later more ostentatious neighbors. For example, there is a small wildflower garden on the edge of the front lawn of the Stone-Tolan House, planted by the Allyn’s Creek Garden Club, with woodland plants rescued from a nearby construction site. They include Dutchman’s breeches, trillium, winter aconite, snowdrops and bloodroot, all diminutive and some rarely seen as their habitats disappear.
There are many early-flowering trees and shrubs including cherries, plums and lilacs. Then later in the spring there are serviceberries, viburnums, mulberries and an orchard full of heirloom apple trees covered with fragrant blossoms. The kitchen garden includes flowering herbs and two vegetable plots that contain a multitude of edibles necessary for a pioneer homesteader’s survival. When the weather cooperates there are snowdrops and winter aconites to be found in February in Ellwanger Garden. And soon after that, glory-of-the-snow, primroses, tulips and narcissus appear, surrounded by a sea of blue forget-me-nots. A lucky few will get to see the checkered lilies that often come and go within days. When can the average person see these places? The Stone-Tolan House is open for tours on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM in April through December. The Ellwanger Garden is open for special event weekends: Lilac Festival in May ad Peony Weekend in early June, as well as Tuesday evenings from June through September. Groups can make appointments to see any of our sites at other times by advance reservation.
Of course if you want more active participation than simply viewing our gardens, and you want to see these historic landscapes at times when they are not usually open, join us as a garden volunteer! At Stone-Tolan we need help in the kitchen garden planting, caring for and harvesting heirloom vegetables. At Ellwanger Garden it’s strictly ornamentals, caring for this unique perennial flower garden.
Find out more about becoming a garden volunteer: Email bgibson@landmarksociety.org or call Cindy Boyer, Director of Public Programs at (585) 546-7029 extension 12.
LLAANNDDMA LANDMARKS MARRKKS | SPRING SSPPRRIING NG 2016 201 016
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Projects & Places
Five to Revive Update by Larry Francer photo: Richard Margolis
Great news for Hillside Cemetery and Chapel from our 2014 list! In the very competitive Combined Funding Application (CFA) process through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, the Town of Clarendon was awarded $126,210 to help fund much needed repairs to the chapel. Kudos need to go to Landmark Society member Erin Anheier, who wrote the grant and is leading the charge to bring new life back to the site. After an unsuccessful application in the previous grant cycle, Landmark Society staff was happy to accompany Erin to meetings with County Legislators and advise her on strategy to navigate the waters of the CFA. Erin and the volunteers working on this project are a great example of concerned citizens who listen, learn and don’t give up. Congratulations to them all.
Since the announcement of our 2015 list, we’ve been on a roller coaster with the Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (CAMP or CAMPers). Landmark staff was very excited to accompany them to a meeting with the Department of Public Works (DPW) committee back in early December. This was a follow-up to an earlier meeting with the DPW where CAMP gave a very successful presentation, along with Clint Brown of Clinton Brown Company Architecture and Landmark staff member Larry Francer that prompted the committee to take the allocated demolition expenses out of the County budget. However, everyone was blindsided when the committee announced at the December meeting that they were now going to introduce a resolution to the Legislature for demolition! At the subsequent meeting of the full Legislature,
Hillside Cemetery and Chapel, Clarendon
County Legislator James Snyder came to the rescue and helped defeat the vote! With the election of new legislators and the advocacy efforts of CAMP. The Landmark Society has high hopes for 2016.. Thanks to Tom Stetz and all the CAMPers for their dedication and persistence.
Natalie Sinisgalli Photography (nspstudio.com)
St. Joseph’s Park bby L Larry Francer F Join the many couples who have experienced the beauty and spirituality of St. Joseph’s Park for their wedding ceremony or wedding photos by booking this stunning location today. We are already scheduling into 2017, so make your reservation soon. The Landmark Society has partnered with Bella and Co. to promote and manage the rentals for weddings and photos. Contact Maureen at maureen@bellaandco.com for more information or to schedule a visit.
Jorge Cazzorla and Terry Kelley’s Wedding, November 7th, 2015
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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
RBC Wealth Management is a Proud Sponsor of
THE LANDMARK SOCIETY’S ANNUAL JUBILEE CELEBRATION ALAN A. COOK II
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Financial Advisor
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LANDMARKS | SPRING 2016
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Events
Landmark Society Travel Tour
Cape May – Queen of the Seaside Resorts | September 12 -15, 2016 Registration is now open! Call (585) 546-7029 x 11 or visit landmarksociety.org for more info.
by Cindy Boyer The Landmark Society is pleased to offer our 4th trip since reinstituting our travel program in 2013. This year we are traveling to Cape May New Jersey. Why travel to Cape May? When we choose a destination we look for a place that exemplifies how preservation maintains the character of a community. We want a location that offers interesting activities, diverse dining and, of course, a wonderful place to call home for three nights. Cape May rises to the top of the list in all of these categories. Valerie Connors put it best when she wrote for The Travel Channel: “Cape May’s nickname, Queen of the Seaside Resorts, might sound exaggerated -- but only to those who haven’t had the fortune of lounging on its pristine, windswept shores or wandering through the wildly charming historic district. Colorful Victorian homes create a gingerbread house landscape so universally adored that the entire town has been declared a National Historic Landmark.”
Ms. Connors also advised on where to stay – and the top of her list was our hotel, Congress Hall. Described as luxury accommodations with prime beachfront real estate, Congress Hall also has a storied past, sure to be brought to life in our encounters with Mr. John Philip Sousa and other holders of Cape May’s stories. And, of course, there are the Victorian houses. The whole town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All because of a great tragedy – a fire in 1878 burned over 40 acres of homes, cottages, hotels and businesses to the ground. The community rebuilt, and built to the latest style – ornately decorated Victorian structures. There are over 600 of them that “contribute” to the National Register listing – that is, are defined as having architectural and historic interest intrinsic to the district. We just think they are incredibly charming. Registration spots are filling briskly at publication time. Here is a brief reminder of what is included:
May, around Cape May by boat and trolley; all meals from Monday’s lunch through Thursday’s lunch; all admissions, services, taxes and gratuities; tours of historic sites, boat cruise around Cape May, trolley tour and walking tour of the historic neighborhoods; a visit to the Cape May Lighthouse and Museum (number 1 listed attraction.) Executive Director Wayne Goodman and landmark staff will accompany you.
Find out more: To see a detailed itinerary of the sites we’ll visit and to download registration forms, visit: http://landmarksociety.org/ event/travel-tour-cape-may/ or call us at (585) 546-7029 extension 11 and we’ll be happy to mail the information to you.
Member double Occupancy
$1,520
Nonmember double Occupancy
$1,720
Single supplement
$412
Three nights accommodation at Congress Hall, a Cape Resort; transportation by luxury motorcoach to and from Cape
Congress Hall our historic resort destination
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The Landmark The Laan nd dm mark ark Society ar Socciieetty of So Soc of W Western eesstteern este ern rn N New eew wY York oorrk | landmarksociety.org l aan nd dm m aarr kkss o occ ie i e ty t y.o . o rrgg
2015 Annual Jubilee Recap
“The 2015 Annual Jubilee was the best one yet!”
by Carolyn Haygood No, we’re not tooting our own horn that was the buzz in the air. How could it not be? There was marvelous music, fantastic food and enough delectable desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. Most of all, we had our Landmark family and friends filling the air with laughter and excitement as we celebrated the preservation projects accomplished together this year and eagerly anticipated the successes in the future.
New trustees were welcomed and special awards were presented, including the President’s Award to Hugh Hamlin, Executive Director’s Award to Laura Smith, “Cocktails & Carburetors” Special Award to Scot Riter and Bill Brackmann, and the Preservation Scholarship Award to Lis Moreira Cavalcante.
We want to thank all our sponsors, trustees, volunteers, silent auction donors, MAG, Max’s and guests for making this year’s Jubilee one to remember. A special thank you to our 2015 Jubilee title sponsors:
photos: David Jones
Carlynn Chapman, Delores Jackson Radney (trustee) and Rashaud Hannah
New trustees Grant Holcomb, Marjorie Searl and John Billone, Jr.
Take Part in the April Fools Tour! Saturday, April 2nd
At least 5 things are wrong in this photo – can you find them?
Noon to 4PM Stone-Tolan House Historic Site 2370 East Avenue
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice – shame on me? We want to fool you at least 27 times on April 2nd and there is no shame – we think you’ll be delighted! Visit the oldest site in the county on that Saturday, and see it as you’ve never seen it before. The place will be filled with lots of things that don’t belong in the 1815 tavern room, kitchen, and parlor bed-
room. Your mission will be to find all the “out of time and place” objects. Some will be easy (a lava lamp in the tavern?) Some will be a bit of a challenge (what’s the date on that coin?) But it will all be fun – and there will be prizes! This is a great event for adults who want a bit of a history challenge or for families who want a fun activity. Adult admission is $5, and for this event only all under the age of 18 are free (no fooling!)
LANDMARKS | SPRING 2016
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Events
MAY 5-7, 2016 Preservation League of New York State and Rochester Colonial present:
photo: CC-BY-SA-3.0/Matt H. Wade at Wikipedia
NY Statewide Preservation Conference The 2016 Statewide Preservation Conference will take place May 5-7th 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 Conference 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 Statewide Preservation Conference will be all about celebrating our past achievements and planning for the future of historic preservation in New York State. This Conference is the only event of its kind in the state—a multiday gathering for anyone involved in preservation and community revitalization. It’s an opportunity to learn, network, become inspired, and, yes, have fun!
It is the preservation event in New York State and you don’t want to miss it.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Congressman Paul D. Tonko Congressman Paul Tonko is a fourth term member of the United States House of Representatives. He currently represents New York’s 20th Congressional District in the Capital Region, including the cities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy,
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Saratoga Springs and his hometown of Amsterdam, in the Mohawk and Hudson River Valleys. Paul is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and serves on several subcommittees, including the Subcommittee on Environmental and Economy. In addition to his committee duties, Paul is a Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), the green voice in Congress. Prior to serving in Congress, Paul was the President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
Authority (NYSERDA). Before that, he served in the New York State Assembly for 25 years, 15 of which he was the Chairman of the Committee on Energy. At the age of 26, Paul was the youngest person in the history of Montgomery County to be elected to the County’s Board of Supervisors, which he chaired until 1981. Paul graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering and is a former engineer for the New York State Public Service Commission. He is a lifelong resident of the historic city of Amsterdam, New York.
WHO IS THE CONFERENCE FOR?
CONFERENCE FILM:
Grassroots preservationists in villages, rural towns and cities throughout New York; professionals working in the field or allied fields (architects, planners, landscape architects, developers, etc.); elected officials and municipal board members; city neighborhood leaders/activists; students in preservation and allied fields.
The Neighborhood That Disappeared A documentary by Mary Paley
SCHEDULE: Thursday 5/5 t PRE-CONFERENCE TRAINING: 9:00-11:00AM: Navigating Uncharted Seas: Disaster planning for historic properties. Presented by the National Park Service. Free to attend, registration required. This workshop is designed for preservation professionals and municipal officials. t 1:00-4:00PM: CLG Training for Scholarship recipients (see scholarship info to the right) t 3:00PM: Walking Tour: Capitol Restoration t 4:00PM: Walking Tour: The Empire State Plaza at 50 t 5:30PM: Cocktail Hour: Meet & Greet with Elected Officials t 6:30PM: Film Screening t 8:00PM: Gather at City Beer Hall for drinks and snacks
Friday 5/6 t 8:00AM-4:00PM: Conference breakout and field sessions in Troy t 6:00PM: Keynote in Albany t 7:30PM: Preservation Partners Party in Albany
Saturday 5/7 t Crowd-Sourcing Your Community Panel Discussion t Heritage Tourism Panel Discussion
PARTNERS:
MAJOR SPONSORS:
In 1962, one of the most massive urban renewal projects in American history sterilized the cultural and ethnic heart of Albany, New York. An arrangement made by first term Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller and longtime Albany Mayor, Erastus Corning the 2nd, displaced almost eight percent of the City's diverse population, razed more than a thousand buildings, dislodged 3,600 households and closed 350 businesses.
REGISTRATION: Opens March 15th at www.landmarksociety.org/conference Early Bird Registration rate available until April 15th NEW! CLG Scholarships! Scholarships are available for municipal staff and those who serve on municipal boards (such as Preservation Commissions, Zoning Boards and Planning Commissions) in Certified Local Government communities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Scholarships will cover the full cost of registration and partial hotel expenses. Visit the Conference website for more details.
TITLE SPONSORS:
#NYPresConf Get the latest Conference updates & join the discussion on social media!
LANDMARKS | SPRING 2016
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Events
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LANDMARKS | SPRING 2016
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People
The YUP-date by Arn J. Albertini In 2014, the YUPs celebrated the holidays with ugly sweaters. This year, we got a sneak peak at one of Rochester’s newest and most anticipated new dining venues, The Playhouse//Swillburger. Partnering with our friends at Rochester Improvement Society, we got a chance to sample the new food (including burgers ground daily on site), play some arcade games and enjoy the beautiful rehabilitated space. It’s exciting to see this building, around since the 1890s, in its latest use, an innovative twist on a burger joint that includes a video arcade. Among the building’s former tenants were a machine shop, church congregations and the Rochester Community Players. The Playhouse//Swillburger is now open – be sure to check it out!
www.landmarksociety.org/yup
YUP
!
We’re also proud to celebrate one of the founders of the YUPs, Laura Smith, who received the Director’s Award at The Landmark Society’s Annual Jubilee, in part as recognition of her efforts to get a younger audience involved and interested in historic preservation. Every year, ROC the Day raises money for non profits all over town. This year on December 1st, the YUPs joined Foodlink and Gilda’s Club for a Happy Hour at Ox and Stone to close out ROC the Day. The event raised money for all three organizations and included raffles and prizes for those who attended. In October, the YUPs partnered with High Tech Rochester for Rochester Venture Adventure, a downtown scavenger hunt featuring past landmarks of innovation, hidden from sight and still in the
making. Participants took a 3-mile race/ tour, solving puzzles along the way and celebrating with an after-party in the lobby of the Sibley Building. Yuppers also lent a hand volunteering at several Landmark Society events, including the Annual Jubilee and Inside Downtown Tour. A bunch of us are hard at work building up our historic bar/pub coaster program, WHERE THE #&@% AM I? Stay tuned for information about an upcoming spring event that will showcase some of our newest participating bars! We have a number of other projects in the works and we’re always looking for new recruits. If you’re interested check us at out our website, www.landmarksociety.org/yup or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
www.facebook.com/YoungUrbanPreservationists
photos: David Jones
YUP steering committee members Anna Liisa Keller, Nick Delahanty and Caitlin Meives at the Jubilee.
YUP co-founder Laura Smith with steering committee members Gregory Waldron and Matthew Simonis
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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
@YoungUrbanPres
0HPEHU 3URþOH Jane Parker by Wayne Goodman
Jane Parker, with her husband Fran Cosentino, are the proud owners of the Edward E. Boynton House, Rochester’s only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house, built in 1908. Jane and Fran completed an extensive, meticulous and much-needed rehabilitation of the Boynton House in 2012, receiving widespread recognition and acclaim. The project was documented in the WXXI film, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House: The Next Hundred Years, which was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2013. Jane is a longtime and active member of The Landmark Society of Western New York. Q You were originally from New York City, right? And, your father was involved in New York City real estate development during an exciting time for the city? Yes, I grew up in NYC. My father was a real estate developer. He first built homes on Long Island in the 1950’s and then built the very first high rise apartment building in Forest Hills, Queens in 1960. After that, he built many apartment buildings in NYC as well as a hotel.
Q Growing up and spending so much time in New York City, do you think you always had an appreciation for preservation and how it impacts neighborhoods and cities?
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House in the city of Rochester that was built in 1908.
Q You and your husband, Fran, completed a nationally-acclaimed rehabilitation of Rochester’s only Frank Lloyd Wright residence, the Boynton House. How do you describe the experience in preserving this amazing structure and living in it? Having the honor to preserve this house Q was the highlight of all the preservation work I have done. My husband, Fran Cosentino, and I took on this project not only to live in it comfortably but to preserve it for future generations so they too can enjoy seeing it as well as living in it. We take great pride in this accomplishment and feel blessed to have been able to save it as well as to live here. It is a serene and joyful experience to live in this house. We feel like we live inside a sculptural masterpiece. The more we are here, the more we appreciate the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright.
From the time I was 5 years old, my father would often take me to his job sites. I even had my own hard hat! At a very early age, I fell in love with the process of construction as well as architecture. This was the beginning of a passion for me to eventually become involved with preservation. I always loved walking in NYC and looking at beautiful historical buildings and Q You have been an avid supporter of The hoping they would always be there which Landmark Society’s mission. Why do you sometimes wasn’t the case. encourage others to support preservation and the work of The Landmark Society? Q What have been some of your personal preservation projects? Through preservation you maintain a living visual history of our city. In I have preserved many homes in New my opinion it is so important for all York State as well as in Florida. The generations to be able to enjoy that. I have most significant ones to me and the ones been in Rochester 15 years now, and what that needed the most restoration were a made me instantly fall in love with this city townhouse in Manhattan that was built was the magnificent historical homes and in the early 1880’s, an old grist mill in buildings that were still here, often not the Bedford, NY that was built in 1681 and
case in many cities including NYC. I didn’t want that to happen to this beautiful city where I now lived, and being a member and contributor to the Landmark Society of Western New York was my way to insure it will not happen here. That is why I encourage others to become members and give their support to this wonderful organization. Are there any other thoughts you have on preservation, our organization or western New York? Western New York is incredibly beautiful, not just the historical buildings but the topography as well. The Landmark Society of Western New York’s goal is to insure this remains with us. Through preservation, future generations will be able to see and touch history rather than just look at pictures of what once existed but is no longer with us. Through preservation history stays alive.
We’d love your suggestions for a future Member Profile. Please email Cindy Boyer at cboyer@landmarksociety.org with your ideas!
LANDMARKS | SPRING 2016
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People
Writers & Landmarks Personal & Pithy | House as History by Susan E. Brown Pittsford, NY - A few years ago, we were eager to move out of our 1960s ranch, lost in a sea of hundreds of nearly identical houses. After a year of searching, we found a hundred-year-old house in Pittsford village. Its age and appearance were part of its attraction, but it wasn’t until we moved in that we realized the house was also a fascinating history of domestic fads and fashions, and the powerful urge – everyone’s desire – to make a house your home, to fit it to your taste.
As we went through the negotiations, inspection, and closing, one thing repeatedly noted with surprise was that the house had only been owned by two families. (This wasn’t entirely true, but given the house’s century or so of existence our predecessors’ five-year tenure seemed to be a blip not worthy of note.) As a consequence, the choices and changes each owner made are still easy to decipher. The house was built in 1914 (or 1920, sources differ) in a new subdivision carved
Illustrations: Mark Payton
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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
out of a former hop field in the village. It is a classic American Four-Square, the height of homebuilding fashion in the early 20th century. It lives up to its style, having four square bedrooms and an (almost) square footprint. A generously sized porch stretched across the front and subtle curved details on the exterior set it off. The original owners were involved in choosing internal details: at one point three different door designs were sketched out on a framing member, including the five-panel style eventually used.
Gumwood trim, built-in cabinets, and an elegant two-landing staircase completed the interior. The house first changed hands in 1953, after the death of the first owner. By then it must have looked very old-fashioned, and the new owners lost no time in modernizing! One of the first things they did was paint every vertical surface in the house – walls, trim, and doors – a rich salmon-buff color. It must have been an awesome sight. But it was a fashionable color and a fashionable look – to downplay all those fussy architectural details in favor of a clean modern look. This was enhanced when they installed wall-to-wall carpeting throughout, an exciting new option for postwar homeowners. A few years later they turned their attentions to the outside of the house, again downplaying as much as possible its early twentieth century details. They added decorative shutters to the windows. They replaced the original storm windows and screens with the latest aluminum triple-tracks. They tore off the original porch with its dated curves, and replaced it with a starkly angular enclosed sunroom. Its windows were a modern awning style, with thin aluminum frames. The door was also aluminum, with crank operated glass panel louvers. And so things stayed for another twenty years, until the owner’s daughter and her husband took over around 1980. They, in turn, set about modernizing and personalizing the interior. They tore up the wall-to-wall downstairs, and the underlying hardwood floor, and installed ceramic tile. Doors and trim were painted white, once again setting them off from the walls. The built-in cabinets were gutted and turned into closets with sliding doors. The old-fashioned iron radiators were torn out and replaced with stylish vented baseboard units. The kitchen was stripped clean and redone with new cabinets, wall ovens, and crankopen casement windows with sleek ranch molding around them. It was all set off with a bright sunshine yellow laminate counter and backsplash.
In 2005 the house changed hands again. The new owners did not have much time to transform the house, selling it to us only five years later. Since the one thing they did do was paint one of the bedrooms fire-engine red, this may be a good thing! We, too, have started to put our mark on the house. As previous owners had done, we saw a space with great potential and unfortunate dated details. We tore out the ceramic tile and replaced it with hardwood. Once again the kitchen was gutted and redone. (This was when we found the original sketch of door styles.) The closets were turned back into built-in cabinets, and when we replaced the anachronistic ranch molding we made sure to match that in the rest of the house. Current style has influenced us – our countertops are granite (though the appliances are not stainless steel!) Upstairs we tore out the wall-to-wall carpeting, and the fir floors, covered for more than fifty years, glow beautifully. One day soon we’ll get rid of the cumbersome baseboard radiators…. Our most dramatic change has been outside. To the modern eye, the 1960s sunroom looked awkward and inappropriate, and since its windows and doors were decaying and falling apart we seized the opportunity to tear it all down and replace it with a new space created to match the house’s original trim, still visible on parts of the exterior. We think it’s beautiful – but it must be admitted that it’s also fashionable. Restoration is a booming business. New houses are being built today with detailing very similar to the designs of a hundred years ago. So, in twenty or thirty years, will new owners agree with what we’ve done to restore and revamp the house, or will they be just as eager to eliminate our sadly dated choices? We hope they will, as we have, appreciate the history that has been built into the house over the decades, even if they decide to change it all.
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People
The Landmark Legacy Society If you choose a gift of real estate photo: Brenda Washington
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. Planned gifts may take different forms. A gift may be a monetary bequest, stocks, bonds, or personal property. Perhaps the most traditional planned gift is real estate. A gift of real estate may have several benefits. It provides financial support and may also insure that a proper steward is found for your property in the future. The Landmark Society’s founder, Helen Ellwanger, is just one example of many who have chosen a real estate gift. She left her home and garden to continue the work of preservation in our area. Per her wishes we placed protective covenants on architectural details of the home to insure
their protection even when the house changes owners. Funds from the sale of the house supported our activities and we maintained ownership of The Ellwanger Garden as a living museum tribute to her father’s horticultural legacy. 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 writing and include your current contact information. We would be pleased to list your name among our Landmark Legacy Society members, if you desire, and invite you to an annual social gathering solely for members of this select group.
Helen Ellwanger’s gift of The Ellwanger Estate supported The Landmark Society and insured preservation of the house.
If you would like more information, please contact us 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.
Quentin McGee Quentin McGee may be our new Properties Technician at the Landmark Society of Western New York, but he is certainly no stranger to the organization. He began his journey with LSWNY in May 2013 as a contractor maintaining the Hoyt Potter property as well as special projects needed by staff. Quentin loves to travel, playing basketball and working-out. He is an avid Miami Heat and Philadelphia Eagles fan.
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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.
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
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