Summer 2017 Landmarks

LANDMARKS SUMMER 2017: VOLUME LV, NUMBER 2

47th Annual House &

Garden TOUR

The western end of East Avenue June 3rd and 4th, 2017

THE LANDMARK SOCIETY OF WESTERN NEW YORK

WWW.LANDMARKSOCIETY.ORG

Cover Photo

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.

CONTENTS 8-9

Feature

47th Annual House 8 and Garden Tour A Grand Boulevard—The western end of East Avenue Saturday and Sunday, June 3rd and 4th 10 am to 4 pm

47th Annual House and Garden Tour

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Projects & Places Preservation Scorecard Seneca Falls Writers & Landmarks Sibley Square Update

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Sibley Square Update

ADDRESS

133 South Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, New York 14608

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PHONE / FAX P: (585) 546-7029 F: (585) 546-4788

Celebrating 150 Years – Ellwanger Garden

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Preservation Conference Recap

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Cocktails & Carburetors

EMAIL

Save the Dates!

info@landmarksociety.org

WEB

Events

Ellwanger Garden

www.landmarksociety.org

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People The YUP-date

Member Profile Tribute to John Thoman Membership Info 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.

The YUP-date

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Thomas Castelein VICE PRESIDENTS Preservation Bill Sullivan

Development Mary Z. Nicosia

Education & Properties Jason Roberts

Finance & Treasurer Jim Marasco

SECRETARY Grant Holcomb AT LARGE Kate Karl Jeffrey Pollock Jeffrey Skuse JoAnn Beck John Billone Jr. Bleu Cease Jean France Gerald Gamm Lauren Gallina Glenn Kellogg

Jerry Ludwig Bill Moehle Randy Morgenstern Louis P. Nau Jane Parker Delores Radney Richard Sarkis Marjorie Searl Glen Skalny Burt Speer Stacey VanDenburgh Karen Wolf

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 George Gotcsik Fran Gotcsik Judie Griffin Frank S. Grosso Thomas Hargrave Art Holtzman James Knauf, Jr.

Marianne Koller 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 DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Andrew Lambrix

MEMBERSHIP & DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Tyler Lucero ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR Cynthia Howk PROPERTIES TECHNICIAN Quentin McGee PRESERVATION PLANNER Caitlin Meives STONE-TOLAN TOUR GUIDE Judith Trabert

From the Director It is hard to believe that The Landmark Society of Western New York is 80 years old this year. What is not hard to believe, however, is the impact this organization has had on our region over the past eight decades. As one of America’s oldest preservation organizations, The Landmark Society’s influence is quite visible across western New York. Every day our region’s diverse architectural heritage reminds me that our organization’s influence is ever-present. Our work is just as meaningful today as it was in 1937— perhaps more so. As we commemorate and celebrate this significant milestone with various events and initiatives, I hope you will join me in both reflecting on our past and planning for our future. It is an exciting time for preservation and for The Landmark Society.

There is no better way to kick off this anniversary than to join us for this year’s House and Garden Tour, taking place June 3rd and 4th in the East Avenue neighborhood. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to see some extraordinary private homes, it is also an opportunity to experience, firsthand, the various elements that combine to create successful, walkable, and beautiful neighborhoods. Those elements are the same preservation practices that we attempt to replicate all over western New York to sustain and improve districts and neighborhoods.

Strong districts and neighborhoods elevate entire communities and regions, just as they sustain property values and enhance our lives in so many ways.

Simply put, when preservation wins, we all win. There are few places in our nation where preservation’s worth is more evident than in our very own East Avenue district.

The East Avenue district is highly regarded as one of America’s great urban gateways, and preservation was, and is, the key ingredient to its sustaining recipe for success. It

is a recipe that includes advocacy, education, protection, planning, and promotion. It includes proud property owners who continue to invest in painstakingly caring for irreplaceable historic structures. The recipe includes the vigilance of the Rochester Preservation Board, past and present, and the skills of generations of craftspeople. And, yes, it most definitely includes the dedication and determination of your Landmark Society, who still works tirelessly to ward off inappropriate threats that would greatly undermine the district’s integrity. It is a collective effort, and we could not do it without you. As you enjoy this year’s House and Garden Tour, I hope you will reflect on those elements that truly make this district special, and I invite you to reaffirm your resolve to keep preservation at the forefront by supporting The Landmark Society’s mission.

Our House and Garden Tour, as you can imagine, is a massive undertaking.

We are indebted to the homeowners who share with us their private spaces.

Scores of dedicated volunteers join a passionate Landmark Society staff to manage the event. Our loyal sponsors offer vital financial support. Let us not forget that the event could not be successful without tour goers purchasing tickets and attending the tour. Mark your calendars now; I’ll see you on the tour!

Be on the lookout for special 80th Anniversary Landmark Society events, programs, and initiatives. We must solidify our current organizational service offerings and facilitate a tangible and relevant vision for the future; our collective success is up to all Wayne Goodman of us. As Executive Director

LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

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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

Hotel DeMay, Latta & N. Greece Rds., Greece

Developers are proposing to demolish the historic Hotel DeMay to make way for a gas station, convenience store, and Dunkin' Donuts. The Hotel DeMay has stood at the corner of Latta and North Greece Roads in the historic hamlet of North Greece since 1909. The building has gone by several names in those 108 years, including the North Greece Hotel, Moerlbach Hotel, Domino Inn, Cosmo Inn and Corner House Hotel. The DeMay (and its predecessors) was a popular gathering spot for Greece residents up through the late 1990s. The property has sat vacant and unused for nearly two decades. Follow Save the DeMay on Facebook for more information.

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

Former Hemlock High School, Main St., Hemlock

Built in 1929 and designed by architect, Carl C. Ade, this former high school is vacant and owned by the Town of Livonia. With support from The Landmark Society, a non-profit community organization, the Little Lakes Community Association, is working with the Town of Livonia to discuss options for reuse and transfer of ownership. The Little Lakes Community Association intends to repair, improve and modernize the Hemlock School and re-open it as a community center.

SAFE

East Avenue Preservation District, Rochester

In March, the City of Rochester’s Preservation Board voted unanimously to deny an application to construct a 5-unit condominium on the corner of East Ave. & Culver Rd., in the heart of the East Avenue Preservation District. Along with neighbors, The Landmark Society strongly opposed the project, which was out of character with the surrounding scale, massing, density, and design of one of the nation’s most intact historic corridors.

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

SENECA FALLS:

Nurturing a Passion for Preservation

by Larry Francer

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y introduction to Seneca Falls was through an invitation from longtime Landmark Society supporter, John Strawway. John grew up in nearby Geneva but had been involved in development projects in Seneca Falls for three decades. John shared with me his observation that preservation is a key element of the tourism appeal of Seneca Falls, whether planned or not, “Tourists visiting Seneca Falls for the wineries or the Women’s Rights National Park often stop at our project during their stroll around town to comment on how nice it is that Seneca Falls keeps up its old buildings so well.”

With most of his projects involving historic buildings, John also became an integral part of the preservation community in the village. So besides showing us around his current adaptive reuse project, converting the Johnson Home for Ladies into the Johnson House Apartments, John wanted us to meet with Emil Bove, an attorney with an interest in preservation. Emil felt there was the need for a grassroots preservation group in Seneca Falls and we were going to talk to him about organizing strategies.

As we drove down Cayuga Street and my jaw dropped from the collection of beautifully maintained Queen Anne style homes, I wondered why they didn’t already have a preservation group. When we continued down the street and moved into the impressive downtown with intact historic facades and a great mix of businesses including a hotel, I was sure Emil was mistaken. There must have been a strong preservation organization to work with the community and maintain such a rich collection of buildings. I soon found out that there was a historic building at risk and no one to advocate for it. Thus The Landmark Society became involved with helping to lead the charge to save the former Trinity Episcopal Church from demolition.

Our lunch with Emil and John, in a wonderful deli on Main Street, enlightened us Johnson House Apartments in Seneca Falls on preservation in Seneca Falls. As a village, Seneca Falls that the former church was placed on was a strong member of the Certified the 2014 Five to Revive list. With the Local Government (CLG) program with help of The Landmark Society, the owner the State Historic Preservation Office was persuaded to sell the building to a (SHPO). Julian Adams, of SHPO, who developer who has built apartments on started working with the village in the the vacant part of the lot and plans to 1980s, explains, “The Village was a rehab the historic church building for long-time member of the Certified Local additional residential units.

Government program and with the The Landmark Society invited Emil to Village’s consolidation into the Town, join the Affiliate Pilot Project that is citizens and community leaders stepped working towards a greater involvement up and worked towards achieving CLG of our region’s grassroots preservation status for the Town; now it, too, is an groups in local issues. The communities active member of the program. I have involved in the pilot project are worked with members of the community Brockport, Perry, and Seneca Falls. as they encouraged preservation Throughout this yearlong project, the solutions for threatened buildings and participants realized that there were as they developed and implemented many villages and towns, similar to rehabilitation projects and have always Seneca Falls, that didn’t have dedicated been impressed with the concern they preservation organizations. So providing have for their home.” So the preservation help with organizing such groups will ethic was established years ago when much of the work was done in the Village. be a priority for the Affiliate program.

Stay tuned for more information about But we were soon to find out that Seneca membership in the Affiliate program as Fall’s passion for preservation was not a it is rolled out in the next year. There was thing of the past. an informational meeting and networking With Emil’s help, a meeting was planned opportunity at the Statewide Preservation to discuss the merits of an organized Conference in April and another meeting group of citizens for protecting the will be scheduled for the fall. assets of the town. Julian Adams was Our next step with Seneca Falls is to there to explain about CLG, Roxanne plan a meeting and invite the residents Kise, of Roxanne Kise Consulting, to hear about the historic tax credits and covered economic development related how they can be an incentive for future to the downtown, and The Landmark preservation projects. We have seen Society did a presentation on historic firsthand what a little bit of passion can preservation and advocacy. The turnout do to save the bedrock of Seneca Falls’ was very impressive and the major historic fabric and we will do all we can to development from the meeting was help harness it. Then, as we nurture that the mission to save the former Trinity passion for preservation, we can support Episcopal Church. An ad hoc group of community members got together to fight more projects that will show how the economic benefits of historic preservation the proposed demolition of this historic projects enhance the business community, structure. The Landmark Society was so tourism, and the quality of life in impressed with the local group’s efforts Seneca Falls.

LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

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Projects & Places

Writers & Landmarks The Hotel DeMay

by Gina M. DiBella

T

he imposing white building has stood at the corner of Latta and North Greece roads for more than a century. It has gone by many names—the Moerlbach Inn, North Greece Hotel, Domino Inn, Corner House and, the name it has been known as for more than 70 years, the Hotel DeMay. Today, the building sits vacant, empty, and threatened with demolition. Its insides are stripped of plumbing, kitchen equipment, wood molding, doors, and most recently its Art Deco-style mahogany bar. Ray and Irene DeMay installed that bar after they purchased the Corner House in 1946 and renovated it into a gathering place that would continue to welcome the community for another 53 years.

One of her fondest memories is the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at the DeMay. Ray DeMay was born on March 17 and he opened his restaurant for a St. Patrick’s Day/Birthday Bash. Corned beef and cabbage was free for everyone. “The food was plentiful; the beer was plentiful; and patrons, friends and relatives would stop by for the big party and to wish Ray well,” said Williams. “And the ham and roast beef sandwiches that they served for lunch during the week were to die for, as big as your mouth was wide.”

Ray DeMay passed away in 1974 at the age of 55, but his wife continued to operate the business on her own until a few months before her death in early

Illustration by Mark Payton

Throughout its history, the tavern/inn was the center of life for the people who lived in the hamlet of North Greece.

Politicians gave speeches in its back room; federal agents raided it during the prohibition. An early 20th century orator and temperance supporter claimed it was a stop on the “Highway to Hell” (aka Latta Road). Members of the North Greece Fire District refreshed themselves after long shifts; and couples, young and old, danced the night away on the hardwood floors of “the largest dance hall in Western New York.”

It’s a safe bet that no one is around to tell the stories that brought it fame during its early years. But many can testify to the hospitality that Ray and Irene DeMay showed to their neighbors and community. Patty Williams is one such person. She and her husband Dutch held their wedding reception at the Hotel DeMay, and Williams spent every Wednesday evening for nearly 40 years playing cards at DeMay until they shut the doors in December 1999. She also helped to organize card parties and Euchre tournaments to raise funds for folks with cancer. “The whole community would come,” said Williams.

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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

2000, taking in boarders in the rooms upstairs. “Irene took in people when they didn’t have place to go,” said Williams.

“Those who stayed sometimes tended bar or worked in the restaurant. And in the summer, she offered rooms to the migrant workers who came to work the nearby farms.”

“It was all giving at DeMay’s,” said Williams. During blackouts and storms, including the Ice Storm of 1991, she opened her doors to the folks in the community who needed a place to keep warm. No doubt, if she had been alive during the windstorm that shut Greece down for almost a week in March, Irene DeMay would have been there to offer her hospitality.

Despite the fact that the business has been closed for almost two decades, Williams feels that it can be brought back and become the community gathering place it once was. No matter what, she’d especially like to come back and play a hand or two of Euchre.

Gina M. DiBella is an independent historic preservation consultant, former chair of the Town of Greece Historic Preservation Commission, and is currently helping to develop the grassroots group formed to “Save The DeMay.”

Sibley Square Update

by Larry Francer

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ver 300 attendees of our NY Statewide Preservation Conference got to enjoy the hospitality of Winn Development as they hosted our conference headquarters at the recently renamed Sibley Square lobby. Two small groups were also lucky enough to get a tour of the project. Since our full membership wasn’t there to hear about the progress of this very exciting project, we asked our partners at Winn to send us an update.

At 1.1 million square feet, Sibley Square is continuing to evolve with anticipated revitalization complete on or before January 2018. The 60,000 square feet of ground floor retail space is currently up for lease. In May 2017, completion of the high-tech office space is scheduled to be complete. At that time, High Tech Rochester, currently occupying temporary space in Sibley Square, moves in to its permanent space (6th floor, former Tea Room). Construction for 104 luxury, market rate apartments scheduled to be complete by the end of 2017, preleasing to begin in Fall 2017 and residents begin moving in during the first quarter of 2018.

Pre-leasing for the 72-unit senior community (adults 55+) to begin May 2017, construction complete and residents move in during the first quarter of 2018. The exterior façade has been professionally cleaned brick-by-brick and windows being replaced to meet building and historic standards. To keep up-to-date with progress or for leasing information, visit sibleysquareroc.com.

Top: New business lobby at Sibley Square. Bottom: Recently completed window work.

We look forward to additional updates to share with all of you. Sibley Square is poised to be the most transformative project that Rochester’s Center City has yet to see. We applaud Winn Development for taking on this monumental project and value the partnership that we have enjoyed with one of the top development firms in the country.

DO YOU KNOW A BUYER FOR THIS HOME?

Nicholas Perlet

99 S Main Street Churchville, NY

Architect: J. Foster Warner

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Specializing in Rochester’s Wonderful Historic Homes NPerlet@Nothnagle.com (E) 585-313-8455 (C) 585-461-6367 (O)

12 bedrooms - 6 baths - 12,862 sqft

Currently used as a single family residence there are a variety of uses for this property: Incomparable Bed & Breakfast, Salon/Day Spa, Winery/Brewery tastings, perfect for a collector of (antiques, art, vehicles), Private club, Garden center.

Integrity ∙ Knowledge ∙ Experience

www.NickPerlet.com LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

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Events

47th Annual

House and Garden Tour A Grand Boulevard—The western end of East Avenue Saturday and Sunday, June 3rd and 4th | 10 am to 4 pm

by Cindy Boyer

East Avenue has been called “The finest gateway to any city in America.”

For the 47th Annual House and Garden Tour, we’re taking you right up to the gates. Well—not literally. But have you ever noticed that Alexander Street is a dividing line between two types of neighborhoods? East of Alexander you find grand structures—some residential, others cultural institutions or religious edifices. They all have a generous setback from the street, expansive lawns and tree yards, and impressive facades. As soon as you cross Alexander heading west, towards downtown, there is an abrupt change in character. Buildings that are all business rise multiple stories, their entryways directly aligned with the sidewalk.

This year you will enjoy a wide variety of homes and other buildings that line East Avenue and the side streets contributing to the East Avenue Preservation District., with a focus on the streets bordered by Alexander Street, University Avenue, Goodman Street and Park Avenue. This section of the East Avenue area features some of the oldest houses in the area. The Greek Revival houses on the street were built by pioneer merchants in the early 1830s, when East Avenue was a country road. After the 1830s and through the turn of the 20th century wealthy business leaders constructed imposing mansions, while professionals constructed homes on the side streets smaller in scale, but every bit as luxurious. Today, many homes on East Avenue itself have been adapted for non-residential purposes, but you can still find those elegant houses on the side streets being called home by city dwellers.

Several houses opening for the tour are on one of the most unusual streets in Rochester: Arnold Park. It was established

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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

in 1853 by William Arnold as a private road, and was not opened as a public street until 1922. Rest assured, you will be welcomed to enter through the distinctive stone gate posts that stand as a reminder of the iron gates that used to bar the way.

You’ll enjoy the generous hospitality of homeowners who agree to open their residences for the tour. You’ll have the opportunity to compare two different Second Empire homes. One is a modestly sized house, but jewel-like in every detail. The other is on a scale that can only be referred to as grand— with grand interior details to match.

Another home has the distinction of being owned by only three families in its 120-year-plus lifetime. When you see the ornate wood carvings in the house that have never felt a paintbrush, you’ll be grateful to those three families. Yet another house is virtually unrecognizable from its original exterior. A side-by-side photo showing the first exterior and the “updated” version from the early 20th century makes it hard to believe it’s the same house.

Grandeur is a word that will come to mind as you get the inside scoop on some of the cultural institutions opening

for us. The Lyric Theatre occupies the former First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Its interior is second only to the Eastman Theatre—and was the inspiration for that structure. At the Third Presbyterian Church, you’ll see the series of Tiffany stained glass windows and be awed by the recent sanctuary restoration. Created by joining two houses, the Zen Center will open areas not usually available to casual visitors. You’ll enjoy the period details in the meeting rooms and the serenity of the Zendo—the meditation hall. Originally a University of Rochester facility for women students, the Visual Studies Workshop will also have a special exhibit in their gallery for the tour-goers.

As we go to press with the magazine, additional sites are opening for us, so be sure to check our website for more details.

If you've never participated in the June tour, you'll want to know that you can go at your own pace. Your ticket booklet provides a map, descriptions of the house, and admission to each home for one visit.

You may go in any order—you can even choose to visit some houses on Saturday and others on Sunday. We provide shoe covers to wear inside the private homes.

Advance tickets are $20 for members and $28 for non-members. Tickets can be reserved on our website or by calling our office at (585) 546-7029 x11 starting Monday, May 8th. Tickets can be purchased in person from us at our Corn Hill office or at Parkleigh, on corner of Park Avenue and Goodman Street, starting Monday, May 15th; *however, please note that we cannot offer the member discount at Parkleigh.* On the days of the tour, if we are not sold out, tickets will be available at our tour headquarters—The Lyric Theatre (440 East Avenue)—for $33.

Pre Tour Presentation The History and Architecture of the Grand Boulevard

By Christopher Brandt Free for tour ticket holders – tour tickets available at the talk $5 for non-tour goers Thursday, June 1st 7 pm Visual Studies Workshop 31 Prince Street

We are grateful to the major House and Garden Tour Sponsors: Platinum Sponsors:

Silver Sponsor:

Ticket Sales Sponsor:

Photo: Bernadette Catalana

Look for our advertising sponsors in the House Tour Ticket booklet.

LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

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Events

1867– Celebrate 150 Years of Growth 2017 and Change in Ellwanger Garden

by Beverly Gibson

E

llwanger Garden, one of the oldest continuously maintained perennial gardens in Rochester, is 150 years old in 2017. In noted nurseryman George Ellwanger’s private garden, established in 1867, cherry, peach and pear trees still bloom in the spring along with tree peonies and viburnums and a multitude of ephemeral perennials and bulbs. These are followed by a sequence of bloom as other perennials and shrubs such as herbaceous peonies, irises, and roses, then daylilies, lavenders, balloon flowers, sedums and Japanese anemones continue the display through summer and fall.

This living museum, having been maintained for 115 years by the Ellwanger family before The Landmark Society began its stewardship in 1982, must necessarily have undergone considerable change. And indeed it has. Some of the earliest photographs of the garden show a very open plan with views to the Ellwanger home and the driveway leading into the estate. Even some of the pathways within the garden were much wider that those that exist today. Many of the changes were due to the active participation in the garden’s evolution

by Helen Ellwanger, founder of The Landmark Society and granddaughter of George Ellwanger.

Landscape architect Fletcher Steele, a great friend of Helen’s, recommended plantings to surround and enclose the garden as seen with the old semicircular hemlock hedge at its western edge.

He also planted varieties of yews and boxwoods between the house and garden,

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future by bequeathing her estate to The Landmark Society.

Top of page: Late spring in Ellwanger Garden with hostas, Florentine irises, tulips, and basket-of-gold shining above a carpet of forget-me-nots.

Top: Emerging peony foliage adds beautiful warm colors to the garden in early spring. Pear trees and viburnums bloom along with the first drift of bright-yellow basket-of-gold Below: Shade-loving Hosta sieboldiana and sunloving peonies offer welcome contrasts to visitors during Peony Weekend in Ellwanger Garden.

as well as along the driveway. Steele designed a stucco and tile wall with caststone urns leading from the house to the garden as well as other gardens around the estate in the late 1930s. All the while, Helen Ellwanger kept abreast of the latest horticultural trends and new plants. In 1942 she ordered a Paeonia mlokosewichii, ‘Molly the Witch’ peony from A. P. Saunders, known for breeding tree peonies, that still delights visitors today.

Helen added new roses, perennials and bulbs that caught this avid gardener’s eye.

She presided over the garden well into her 90s and made plans for the garden’s

The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

In the 1980s The Landmark Society hired Susan Maney, their first horticulturist, to oversee the renovation of the garden.

She called on volunteers and local garden clubs to help, including the Rochester Garden Club of which Helen Ellwanger had been a member. To extend the bloom in the garden past its usual spring glory, many varieties and cultivars of daylilies and some fall perennials were planted.

The lavender walk was rejuvenated and soon will be again. Helen’s tree peonies, originally planted in the Fletcher Steele rose garden were moved into Ellwanger Garden proper.

Since the first few years of Landmark stewardship, the boxwood hedges along the pathways have been replaced with a hardier cultivar, gravel has been added to the paths, a water line exclusive to the garden was tunneled under Mt. Hope Ave., roses have been added to the rose beds and some of the pear trees and the peach tree have been replaced. The work is ongoing thanks to the many volunteers who have helped keep the garden growing over the years. Ellwanger Garden is still a magical place and we hope that it will be 150 years from today.

Come to see the garden on both weekends of the Lilac Festival in May and the second weekend in June for Peony and Rose weekend. For the June weekend we’ll offer a tasty treat to celebrate Ellwanger Garden’s 150th.

Statewide Preservation Conference sells out again!

by Caitlin Meives

O

nce again, the Preservation Conference was a big hit—selling out with nearly 370 attendees from around the state. We were honored to welcome Amy Nicole Swift, principal and owner of Building Hugger in Detroit, to Rochester as our Keynote Speaker. Amy spoke about the importance of expanding training and employment opportunities for women and young people in the traditional trades.

After a full day of conversation and learning at a wide range of breakout sessions and networking with fellow colleagues and community advocates, attendees were able to wind down at a special Preservation Partners Party at the Genesee Country Village and Museum. Thank you to GCV&M for opening up just for us! Be sure to visit their site throughout the spring and summer.

You can check out more pictures of the day’s events by searching the official Conference hashtag #NYPresConf on Instagram.

A huge THANK YOU to all of the Conference sponsors, partners, speakers, volunteers, and attendees who make this event possible each year. We couldn’t do it without you! And a special thank you to our title sponsors, Rochester Colonial Manufacturing and WinnDevelopment, as well as to the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation and the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

Stay tuned for details about the 2018 NY Statewide Preservation Conference!

New Round of Grant Recipients The latest round of funding from our Preservation Grant Fund includes awards for two properties in our region: Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association $1800 towards a feasibility study for 6 Madison St., a long-vacant house in the neighborhood Town of Phelps $1500 towards a condition report for the roof of the Phelps Town Hall Launched in September, 2012, The Landmark Society's Preservation Grant Fund program offers funds for preliminary design and planning studies to help make positive improvements to at-risk buildings. The program was initially funded through a bequest from Elizabeth (Libby) Stewart. Libby was a longtime Landmark Society staff member who was dedicated to the revitalization of neighborhoods and historic structures.

The Preservation Grant Fund provides initial “start-up” funding to assist in saving historic resources. The grant will not pay for any “bricks and mortar” work. Only pre-construction services are eligible for funding. Specific use of funds is flexible. Examples of eligible projects include: • code compliance studies • construction estimates • visual project renderings • measured drawings • cost comparisons

Contact Caitlin Meives at cmeives@landmarksociety.org to determine if your project is eligible for this program.

LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

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Events

Cocktails & Carburetors

by Jerry Ludwig

O

ur annual Landmark Society Cocktails & Carburetors event will take place this year on September 15th and 16th. Once again it will be held in conjunction with Oak Hill’s Classics at the Hill car show on September 24.

Now in its fourth year, Cocktails & Carburetors combines vintage and special interest autos with tours of private garages and car collections. Given our past attendance, a surprising number of folks enjoy architecture and automobiles, and if you do, this weekend is for you.

Anthony Carra, Stacey VanDenburgh, Wendell Castle, Arnold VanDenburgh, and James Cottone

Friday the 15th you’ll attend the opening cocktail party at Horsepower Motorworks in Victor. Stroll among the many cars, both under restoration and on display, while enjoying music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. You’re invited to drive your

special interest car for preferred parking.

While there, pick up your program for the tour on Saturday. This will be similar to a house tour, but with garages and their fascinating contents. You won’t know where you’re headed until you have your program, but we promise it will be interesting as always!

The following Sunday, Oak Hill presents their sixth annual invitational car show, one of the best and most respected shows in our area. Cars, food, music, and drink are part of this event.

Only a limited number of tickets are available. So save the date and check on our website in June for further information and to purchase tickets, www.landmarksociety.org.

ARCHITECTURE FOR LUNCH—2017 Popular lunchtime walks return this June Summer is here—a perfect time to get outside and discover the “hidden treasures” of Rochester’s downtown neighborhoods!

These tours are timed to fit in with busy schedules and week-day lunch breaks. The 20-minute presentations feature information on the history and architecture of downtown Rochester. Cynthia Howk, Landmark Society staff member and local history expert, will guide interested tour-goers from 12:10 to 12:35 p.m.

A salute to “National Preservation Month,” the Architecture for Lunch tours are free and open to the public, held rain or shine.

For the most interesting lunch break you’ve ever taken, meet Cynthia at 12:10 p.m. on the following dates: HIGH FALLS/BROWN’S RACE: Friday, June 9

ST. JOSEPH’S PARK/N. CLINTON AVENUE (new): Friday, June 16

EAST END/CHESTNUT STREET/ EASTMAN THEATRE: Friday, June 23

Meet at the Pont-des-Rennes pedestrian bridge, Platt St. (corner of Brown’s Race).

Discover Rochester’s oldest industrial district, established during our “Flour City” era, with dramatic views of the Genesee River, High Falls, and the adjacent 19th-century buildings now converted for office, residential and recreational use.

Meet in front of St. Joseph’s Park (former church), 108 Franklin Street. Explore this dynamic neighborhood once populated with movie theaters, private clubs and garment factories, where clothing, shoes, and ties were manufactured for decades.

Today, trendy restaurants, loft apartments, artist studios, and a signature park have been created amidst these distinctive 19th century buildings, many of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Meet in front of Christ Church, 141 East Avenue, on the corner of Broadway. Tour the exciting East End Cultural District that includes elegant 20th-century commercial architecture, the Eastman School of Music campus, and the upand-coming Chestnut/Lawn Street area, where several iconic buildings have been recently redeveloped as apartments.

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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

The Landmark Society is Getting Social!

Navigating Preservation Social Media

by Tyler Lucero

H

ave you noticed the uptick in activity on our social media?

We are increasingly using our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds to connect with individuals and organizations near & far that share our belief in the power of preservation, and to introduce our work to new audiences and potential partners.

Indeed, each of our feeds has several thousand followers, and because we post daily, it is one of the best ways to keep up-todate on our many events, initiatives, and thoughts regarding the rich architectural heritage in western New York.

on unique historic places in their areas; #thisplacemattersROC is a local variant.

If you’ve already taken the step of following our pages, we invite you to check out and use these hashtags to keep up-to-date on our own unique Landmark Society programs in and around Rochester:

#adaptivereuse — posts about repurposing historic structures

#FivetoRevive — posts related to our annual Five to Revive listing of endangered but promising historic properties

Moreover, because you appreciate our work, you may enjoy following the feeds of these partner organizations:

#NYPresConf — posts related to our annual NY Statewide Preservation Conference

@CCL_ROC / Celebrate City Living: a multi-organization collaboration promoting home-owning and renting in the City of Rochester

#WNYlgbtqsites — a new hashtag for posts related to our LGBTQ Landmark Initiative #yuproc — posts related to the activities of our Young Urban Preservationists (YUPs) group Similarly, these hashtags can be used to follow preservation work more generally:

#iheartsavingplaces — used across the country to spotlight preservation “heart-bombing”; you’ll see us and other young preservationist organizations there

#oldhouselove — frequently used with photos of historic homes, particularly on Instagram

@ErieCanalway / Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor: National Park Service unit promoting the Erie Canal and its historic waypoints as continuing resources in our region @SavingPlaces / The National Trust for Historic Preservation: the pre-eminent national preservation organization

#preservation / #historicpreservation — general historic preservation posts

@PresGreenLab / Preservation Green Lab: a National Trust initiative to show how preservation achieves environmental and sustainability goals

#thisplacematters — initiated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this hashtag is used frequently by local & regional preservation organizations to shine a broader spotlight

@PresNewsLink (Twitter): compiles preservation news from across the country

@landmarksociety Save the Dates!

Mark those brand new calendars and calendar apps—you don’t want to miss these great 2017 events!

Lilac Weekends at Ellwanger Garden May 13–14 and 20–21 House and Garden Tour Saturday and Sunday June 3 & 4 “Architecture for Lunch” walks June 9, 16 & 23

Peony Rose Weekend at Ellwanger Garden and 150th Birthday celebration!

June 10 & 11 Sunset Concerts — Ellwanger Garden Thursday, June 15, 7 pm Sunset Concerts — St Joseph’s Park Friday, June 16, 7 pm

The Landmark Society’s 80th Anniversary Gala Saturday September 9th Inside Downtown Tour October 6 & 7 ...more to come!

LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

13

People

The YUP-date

by Laura Smith

H

appy Birthday, YUPs! March marked our three-year anniversary for the Young Urban Preservationists. Over the years, we established a number of annual events, including our YUP Holiday Party, Heart bombing, and Bikes, Beers and Buildings. This year’s holiday party was hosted by The Yards, a collaborative art space at the Public Market, and featured a fierce dessert competition. For February’s heart bombing event, we partnered with the Northeast Neighborhood Community Council and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church to teach kids attending the weekend Polish School about the history of the Pulaski Library and about the value of historic preservation. Part of our lesson included asking the kids, “What do you think this building could be?”

The most popular response? A birthday cake factory! We are also underway on planning our 3rd annual Bikes, Beer and Buildings biking-scavenger hunt on June 24th to highlight some not-sowell-known historic gems throughout Rochester.

P U Y

Also on our calendars are not one but TWO meet-ups for the Rust Belt Coalition of Young Preservationists on either ends of the coalition’s geographic reach. First, young preservationists groups from New York to Missouri will meet in St. Louis in May for meetups, chats, and tours. The YUPs are then hosting the Rustbelt Coalition in July to show off our great city and discuss initiatives we have been working on over the past few years. Check out pictures of our last meet-up in Wheeling, West Virginia (it was a fun but chilly and rainy weekend!).

Are you interested in making our next three years a success? Keep an eye on the YUP Facebook and Instagram accounts for upcoming events, or contact Caitlin Meives at cmeives@landmarksociety.org to join the YUP steering committee!

During our meet-up in Wheeling, WV, we hung out on a pretty cool bridge!

www.landmarksociety.org/yup

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!

YUPs heart bomb 6 Madison St. in the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood

Kids attending the Polish School at St. Stanislaus help us heart bomb the Pulaski Library.

www.facebook.com/YoungUrbanPreservationists

The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

@YoungUrbanPres

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LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

15

People

Member Profile

Jim Nicholson — A Lifelong Interest

by Wayne Goodman

Q

: Tell us a little about yourself.

Q

: How did you become interested in historic preservation?

As a lifelong Rochester resident I appreciate our great cultural resources and heritage. I graduated from SUNY Geneseo where I earned a degree in Liberal Arts/Psychology. My career of 35 years was with the NYS Department of Labor where in later years I was in charge of the office which provided services to Wyoming County.

I have an interest in architecture and history and how they relate. I’m sure this was nurtured by the neighborhood in which I grew up. My family routinely walked along East Avenue, and I remember the various mansions catching my attention making me curious about them; the abandoned ones particularly piqued my interest.

Q

: Was there any specific reason you were drawn to the abandoned mansions?

To me they bespoke dark mysteries and secrets. The one place that stands out most was located at 20 N. Goodman Street. It was a stone residence that looked like a

baronial manor house. My first exposure to preservation came when the doctors’ office next door wanted to level it for additional parking. I accompanied my mother and a number of neighbors to a city planning board hearing in an effort to save it. Sadly we were not successful. And even more sadly, that side of the street eventually became dominated by parking lots.

When I was first married we bought the house that my great-grandfather had built in the 1880’s, with elaborate scrollwork and ornamentation. It had been Jim volunteering at the 2017 NY Statewide Preservation Conference in the family up until 15 years grand opening celebration. More recently before I bought it. It was in I have been a house captain and site original condition but had been badly manager for the House and Garden neglected in the years before I bought it.

Tour and the Inside Downtown Tour. I It has been an ongoing restoration project have been doing that for upwards of 15 since then. years. I believe preservation provides an : You are a longtime volunteer at The important context and joy to our lives.

Landmark Society, right?

It gives a sense of identity. It provides an environment that is attractive to people I was first a Landmark Society member who either come as visitors or come to when the current City Hall opened in live, and it makes good economic sense. the former federal building and greeted and directed guests that came to the

Q

1,800 Lives Changed Over 1,800 students, teachers, and families were impacted by our February “Walk the Walk: Encounters with Rochester’s African-American Ancestors.” We are so grateful to our sponsors for making this impactful program possible.

Bergmann Associates Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation The Guido and Ellen Palma Foundation and The Landmark Society Members 16

The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

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LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

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People

John Thoman: A Tribute

John Thoman

W

e were saddened to learn of the death of Landmark Society honorary trustee, John Thoman, who passed away at home on February 11 at the age of 89. With two careers, spanning industrial engineering and investment services, he was a member of The Landmark Society since 1961 and served on our Board of Trustees twice, during the 1960s–’90s. He remained on our Finance and Development Committees, advising our Investment Subcommittee and providing major assistance during our last capital campaign.

John’s passionate interest in the Rochester community and his many years of service to our organization are greatly valued and appreciated.

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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org

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The Landmark Legacy Society Gifts for Future Generations

by Tyler Lucero

O

ur Landmark Legacy Society recognizes those thoughtful individuals who have included The Landmark Society 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 to organizations like The Landmark Society, you are ensuring that future generations in your community will continue to have the resources to encourage preservation of the historic structures that support dynamic and sustainable community life.

Planned gifts take many different forms: a gift may be a monetary bequest, stocks, bonds, or real estate. What they have in common is “planning.” Making advance arrangements for your future gift has several benefits. Your financial planner or tax professional can advise you as to whether there are any current or future tax benefits for your gift. Your thoughtful actions today ease future decision-making for your benefactors. Prior planning provides clear instructions on how you

The Ellwanger Garden remains a monument to Rochester’s historic nursery industry and a classroom to future generations, thanks to Helen Ellwanger’s planned giving to The Landmark Society.

would like your gifts managed. Finally, your estate planning can give you peace of mind, knowing that your legacy will continue to benefit our preservation and restoration work today and tomorrow.

Consider this: Helen Ellwanger left her home and garden to our organization 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.

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 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 interest in continuing our important preservation work for future generations.

Never miss our House & Garden Tour?

Consider this: our Pillar members ($150 level) receive one free ticket to this event every year; Cornerstone members ($250) receive 2! It’s our thank you for your extra support preserving the historic landscapes we all love.

Contact Membership Coordinator Tyler to upgrade your membership and request your free tickets today!

(585) 546-7029 x16 tlucero@landmarksociety.org As a Premium member, your ticket to beautiful homes like this 2017 House & Garden Tour site is free!

LANDMARKS | SUMMER 2017

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