LANDMARKS SUMMER 2018: VOLUME LVI, NUMBER 2
48th Annual House &
Garden TOUR
Between the Avenues
East Avenue and Park Avenue
June 9th & 10th, 2018
THE LANDMARK SOCIETY OF WESTERN 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.
ADDRESS
133 South Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, New York 14608
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2018 House & Garden Tour
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WEB
Projects & Places Preservation Scorecard Craftsmanship & Care #BeerSavesPlaces Once Again Writers & Landmarks
Preservation Scorecard
Gregory Tract Historic District Park Ave. Tees Are Back!
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Events Tavern Takeover Events Calendar Travel Tours
P: (585) 546-7029 F: (585) 546-4788 info@landmarksociety.org
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13 14 16-17
Travel Tours
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People
New Landmark Staff
www.landmarksociety.org
Member Profile New Book on Mount Hope The YUP-date The YUP-date
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.
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2018 House & Garden Tour
PHONE / FAX EMAIL
Feature
Membership
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Thomas Castelein VICE PRESIDENTS Preservation Bill Sullivan
Development Mary Z. Nicosia
Properties Glenn Kellogg
Finance & Treasurer Jim Marasco
From the Director
SECRETARY Grant Holcomb AT LARGE Kate Karl Jeffrey Pollock Jeffrey Skuse JoAnn Beck John Billone, Jr. Bleu Cease Christopher Carretta Timothy Forster Jean France Gerald Gamm Lauren Gallina
Frank Grosso Matthew Lenahan Jerry Ludwig Stephen R. Martin Bill Moehle Randy Morgenstern Jane Parker Ronald Reed, M.D. Richard Sarkis Marjorie Searl Glen Skalny Burt Speer 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 Sterling Weaver Houghton D. Wetherald Henry W. Williams, Jr. Arlene Wright Vanderlinde James Yarrington Craig Zicari
STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Wayne Goodman
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Andrew Lambrix
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS Cindy Boyer
MEMBERSHIP & DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Tyler Lucero
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PRESERVATION Larry Francer HORTICULTURIST Beverly Gibson COMMUNITY RELATIONS ASSOCIATE Carolyn Haygood ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR Cynthia Howk
PROPERTIES TECHNICIAN Quentin McGee PRESERVATION PLANNER Caitlin Meives PRESERVATION SERVICES COORDINATOR Mitch Rowe STONE-TOLAN TOUR GUIDE Judith Trabert
I recently returned from a Landmark Society travel tour to Savannah, Georgia, a city that strongly embraces preservation and boasts some of the most intact historic architecture in the South. In Savannah, the past is inescapable. Like so many other American cities, Savannah has used preservation as a cornerstone for community revitalization, so much so that preservation seems to be embedded into the city’s ethos. Being immersed in Savannah for several days reminded me of how our historic structures help to form our community character, no matter where we live. The quality of civic life is at least partially determined by the extent to which our surroundings connect us to our personal and collective pasts. Looking back in time, this is not at all a new notion. In John Steinbeck’s 1939 Depression-era novel The Grapes of Wrath, one passage is frequently quoted in preservation circles and underscores how and why our connections are meaningful to us. Steinbeck describes a group of Oklahoma farm wives preparing to leave for the long journey to California. The families were poor and did not own many possessions, but there was still simply not enough room on the truck to take much of what they did own:
“The women sat among the doomed things, turning them over and looking past them and back. This book. My father had it. He liked a book. Pilgrim’s Progress. Used to read it. Got his name in it. And his pipe—still smells rank. And this picture—an angel. I looked at that before the fust three come— didn’t seem to do much good. Think we could get this china dog in? Aunt Sadie brought it from the St. Louis fair. See? Wrote right on it. No, I guess not. Here’s a letter my brother wrote the day before he died. Here’s an old-time hat. These feathers—never got to use them. No, there isn’t room … How can we live without our lives? How will we know it’s us without our past?” Dr. Walter Havighurst, a professor from Miami University in Ohio, referenced this tender passage to illustrate preservation’s role and power in our lives during a speech in advance of the National Historic Preservation Act’s passage in 1966. Dr. Havighurst said, “These were not members of a historical society. They had never even seen a museum or a memorial. They were just people, asking a poignant and universal question: ‘How will we know it’s us without our past?’ We do not choose between the past and the future; they are inseparable parts of the same river.” continued on page 20
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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
Canandaigua Junior Academy Theatre, SAFE Former Main St., Canandaigua A non-profit organization, the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, has teamed up with property owner, Conifer Realty, to rehabilitate the former theater space at the Fort Hill Apartments complex into a multi-use theatre for performance and exhibition of all forms of performing and visual arts. The theater is part of the former Canandaigua Junior Academy. The rest of the school was adapted to senior apartments in 1995 but the theater space, lacking a viable plan and reuse, remained vacant until now.
Castle Company Building, SAFE Todd-Wilmot 1255 University Ave., Rochester This former industrial building recently received a major rehabilitation, funded in part through State and Federal historic tax credits. Constructed in 1909, the building is named for its original occupant, the G.W. Todd Company and the subsequent owner, the Wilmot Castle Company. The original portion of the building was designed by the prominent local architecture firm of Gordon and Madden with later additions designed by another local architect, Carl Traver. A mix of businesses and residential lofts now occupy the building.
OUT
Former Town Hall, Orangeville, Wyoming Co.
The former Town Hall building in the Town of Orangeville was demolished earlier this year. Originally constructed in 1852 as a Baptist Church, this building served as the Town Hall from 1912 until the 1950s. Since that time, the façade of the building was removed and the building converted into storage. Although the building had lost many of its original features over the years, it was one of the only remaining historic public buildings in the Town. A 2016 reuse study, funded in part by The Landmark Society’s Preservation Grant Fund, proposed options for reuse, however, Town officials determined that saving the building was not realistic.
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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
Craftsmanship & Care
Substitute Materials in a Changing Environment by Steve Jordan
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xcept for historic preservation districts and a few proud old homes, our built environment has been homogenized blandly with asbestos, aluminum, and vinyl siding. This, of course, is an old issue that has festered for years between those who still paint and those who don’t. But substitute materials are not a new thing— did you ever stop to think that our concrete block foundations are just a replacement for earlier ashlar-cut stone? Plywood is another great example—once frowned on by carpenters, it proved to be a versatile, durable product. We could argue about the aesthetics of either material but let’s not. Modern substitute materials come and go every day, some are spectacular failures while others work out. Like it or not, as historic materials become rare (thus expensive), we often use substitutes before they have proven themselves with the “fifty year” rule—the belief that any building material must have a successful fiftyyear track record before it is universally accepted. Replacement products that dismally failed include composite hardboard siding, aluminum windows, composite slates, aluminum wiring, impregnated cardboard sewer pipes, early plastic/ composite porch decking, and ureaformaldehyde foam insulation, just to name a few. Other products that have proven successful in limited applications have failed when uses were exaggerated, for example, drywall for exterior soffits or as the base for bathroom tile.
5/4 old-growth lumber is very expensive and usually unavailable. I know of an impressive example where PVC trim was used to recreate all the details on a Greek Revival cornice. PVC trim has been around for over fifteen years and only time will tell if it holds up, but so far, so good.
Melissa Carlson
On the other hand, many new products are weathering our scrutiny very well and are often accepted by local preservation commissions. The first material that comes to mind (and one I am frequently quizzed about) is fiber-cement siding. Although there have been a few isolated failures, this product has a promising track record of close to forty years. When used appropriately, it looks very similar to old siding, clapboards, and shingles and is also available in trim stock. Many contractors have had success using cellular PVC trim products on areas that are prone to excessive moisture or rot. These products are great for porch aprons, water tables, corner boards, and on other details where a clear piece of
Porch floors are always a maintenance issue and replacing the old tongue-andgroove flooring with new, less-durable Douglas fir is expensive. On a trip to New Orleans last year, I visited a National Park Service property and witnessed their use of treated yellow pine flooring (painted) with a track record of twenty years. Locally there are several tongue-andgroove products sold that are promising; some are chemically treated and others are heat treated (thermally modified), a process that changes the cell structure and reduces vulnerability to rot. None of these products are cheap and any use requires experience and skill but as our housing stock expands and our natural resources decline, we hope that necessity will breed many more products that maintain the historic aesthetics we love while adapting to our changing environment.
Veteran preservationist Steve Jordan is the author of the award-winning Rehab Rochester and a contributing editor to Old House Journal for more than 17 years. He has worked on many distinctive and historically significant sites throughout the United States.
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Projects & Places
#BeerSavesPlaces Once Again by Caitlin Meives
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BeerSavesPlaces. It’s a hashtag that my fellow young Rust Belt preservationists and I use frequently on Instagram. As avid proponents of both local beer and old buildings, we recognized a while ago that fans of the former tend to gravitate towards the latter. Is it a coincidence that one of the oldest beverages produced by humans goes hand in hand with historic buildings? We think not. Being the good preservationist that I am, I wanted to sample the beer and check out the new home of one of our region’s newest breweries, the Silver Lake Brewing Project. On a sunny winter Sunday, I took a drive down to Perry from Rochester to talk with two of the brewery’s owners, Pilar McKay and Ryan Fitzsimmons, about how they put it all together. From financing, to building selection, the history of their space, to construction, and, of course, the beer! Pilar is a 34 year-old Perry native who teaches undergraduate public communications. After living in Washington, DC for four years, she moved back to her hometown so she could better attend to all the local projects she had brewing (she also happens
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to be the co-founder of Shake on the Lake, a professional theatre company that specializes in performances to underserved rural communities). Ryan is a 36-year-old architect at In.Site: Architecture, a local firm that has been instrumental in the rehabilitation of many of Perry’s downtown buildings. He grew up in nearby Retsof and has been a Perry resident since 2006. The idea for Silver Lake Brewing Project started rather appropriately, over a drink. After the successful completion of the inaugural season of Shake on the Lake, Ryan and Pilar wondered aloud what they should do next. Ryan was in the middle of getting his architect license and Pilar was getting her PhD so, you know, they had plenty of free time on their hands. With the resurgence of local breweries across upstate New York and the rest of the country, they realized right away that Perry could use a local brewery. To be clear, Pilar and Ryan are not venture capitalists nor are they independently wealthy. Nor are they brewmasters. They are, quite simply, people who have a clear vision for their community and who aren’t afraid to dive in and make that vision a reality.
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
of the capital they needed to rehab the building and purchase the necessary brewing equipment. The rest of the capital was provided through a construction loan through a traditional bank and an equipment loan through the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency. The availability of state and federal historic tax credits also helped make the project a reality. Dubbed the Main Street LLC model by its creator, architect and Village of Perry Mayor, Rick Hauser, this community-funded model of development empowers everyday citizens to take charge of the future of their own community and the buildings therein. It has proven to be a powerful recipe for success and Silver Lake Brewing Project is no exception.
Light-filled interior space at Silver Lake Brewing.
They set about drafting a business plan, connecting with their brewmaster Tony, getting community buy-in, and looking for a building. The building that ultimately ended up being the home of Silver Lake Brewing Project is a former horse stable, silent movie theater, and a newspaper printing plant. As you might imagine, this left Ryan, who served as the project architect, with a lot of complicated layers of history and construction to untangle. A 1975 photo, taken as locals were repairing a wall damaged by an “impaired” driver, helped unravel some of that mystery. The process of demo and construction uncovered plenty of fun surprises like previously covered window openings on the back wall and horse feed in the rafters dating to the 1890s.
As I finished up my interview with Pilar and Ryan, I polished off a hearty Mexican hot chocolate-inspired stout (which followed the equally tasty Double Rye Ale) and looked around the space— it was nearing 3:00 p.m. and the late winter sun was streaming through the back windows (uncovered during construction). Many of the owners were beginning to settle in at the bar for what had become the unofficial weekly gathering; patrons chatted with one another about their weekends; an older gentleman relaxed in a corner with a book. Clearly, Silver Lake Brewing had become a natural community gathering space, a place, as Pilar put it, “for people to come up with their own crazy ideas.”
But the real interesting part of the story is how this whole project was funded. Pilar and Ryan adopted a strategy that had already proven successful on a few previous commercial and residential projects in Perry. Seeing community interest from the start, they reached out to folks they knew in the community to invest in their vision. With about 40 owner/investors, they raised a third
The building when it was the Alhambra, a silent movie theater.
If you had to take a bottomless keg of one beer from SLBP to a desert island what would it be? Pilar: Double Rye Ryan: Barky Light Dog (which will be back in the summer)
The building in 1975, after a driver had crashed into it.
Historic Photos courtesy of: Henry Page Collection, Perry Public Library, Perry, NY
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Projects & Places
Writers & Landmarks Music and Light by Mona Seghatoleslami
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he sun shines through a flower in the stained glass window. It’s mesmerizing, as I listen to a cellist play a French sonata on the stage of the Performance Hall at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance. We’re here as part of the lunchtime concert series “Live from Hochstein.” For eight weeks in the fall and eight weeks in the spring, I get to sit on this stage, occasionally catching a bit of that light through the glass, as musicians enchant those of us in the hall—and many others listening to the radio broadcast. It’s part of how the building at 50 Plymouth Avenue North lives and breathes with the music and the people who experience it. These concerts, of course, are just one small part of what happens here.
Illustration by Mark Payton
Every day, students of all ages pass through the doors of this old church to learn to play an instrument, sing, dance, compose, write songs, and more. Every day, lives are gradually transformed through music, art, and dance therapy. Concerts are held most weeks—people gather to hear string quartets, youth orchestras, jazz guitarists, soul singers, and more. When I came to Rochester to work at WXXI, I hadn’t realized that hosting a lunchtime concert series would be part of my job, and I especially had no idea how much I would fall in love with this place, especially these moments of musical bliss located in the middle of a hive of energy, growth, and inspiration. Before the show, I get caught up in all the details and the anxiety of preparation—but when we are on stage, and the music starts, I can only wonder at the beauty.
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There is a lot of history here—and you can find it in great detail on Hochstein’s website. But a few things stand out to me: this location has long been an idealistic setting, something that precedes even the building. Quaker abolitionists Isaac and Amy Post’s home, which served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, was on this site. The building we know today started its life as a church, and it was created with the idea of functioning as a space for community gatherings of all kinds, with a particular focus on and love for music. Along the way, this hall has also been the site of Frederick Douglass’s funeral and Susan B. Anthony’s memorial; for traveling preachers and Vietnam protestors; and again and again, as a place for music. The Hochstein School, which has a storied history stretching across several different buildings in Rochester, became a major tenant of the building in 1974 and then,
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
four years later, purchased it for—one dollar, a sum decided on in part because this meant the tradition of music in the space would continue. Plenty more has happened over the years; renovations and changes have continued to shape the physical space—and within, the light keeps shining and the music plays on.
Mona Seghatoleslami is the afternoon and evening announcer on WXXI Classical 91.5, the host of the lunchtime concert series Live from Hochstein, and the music coordinator for the Little Theatre Café. She is an amateur violist, determined bike rider, and a fan of reading science fiction and watching classic movies.
Where Is The Gregory Tract Historic District? by Larry Francer
Gregory Tract Historic District Proposed NR Boundary
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he Landmark Society is working on another National Register historic district that will allow residents to take advantage of the 20% NYS Historic Homeowners Rehab Tax Credit. So, as you are planning major rehab projects on your historic homes, keep in mind that within the next year, you may be able to receive credits on your NYS income tax for the work. But where is the Gregory Tract? It can be found on plat maps from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the area roughly bordered by Oakland and Goodman, and Benton and Cayuga. The Gregory Tract does not actually exist today, but since this area includes multiple neighborhoods, we decided to go with the historic name.
In partnership with the South Wedge Planning Committee (SWPC), we received a grant to start the research needed for the National Register nomination and we are now ready to get boots on the ground and raise the additional funding necessary to complete the nomination. We will be meeting with folks in the area to let everyone know about this great opportunity and, who knows, maybe someone will design a Gregory Tract logo and we can have our own t-shirt, too! If you have any questions, suggestions, or would just like to help, please contact Larry Francer at lfrancer@landmarksociety.org and we can start working together to get this exciting project off the ground.
Park Avenue Tees Are Back!
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pring has finally arrived in Rochester and that means it’s officially porch season! What better way to celebrate warm weather in upstate New York (and show off your city pride) than by purchasing a “Park Ave. is Porches” t-shirt or tote bag?! Your purchase has the added benefit of supporting a great cause—creating a Park Avenue National Register historic district that will help neighbors preserve the historic character of the neighborhood that we all cherish.
Shirts are designed and printed locally on super soft, high quality Next Level brand tees. Available in unisex or women’s sizing. Get yours now at landmarksociety. org/parkave! If you have enough t-shirts but still want to support the project, visit www.landmarksociety.org/parkave or contact Caitlin Meives at cmeives@ landmarksociety.org.
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Events Events
48th Annual
House and Garden Tour Between the Avenues — East Avenue and Park Avenue Saturday and Sunday, June 9th and 10th | 10 am to 4 pm by Cindy Boyer
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f you were an up and coming family in the late 19th and early 20th century, between the avenues was the place to live. The streets connecting Park and East offered the chance to have an address in close proximity to the fine mansions of East Avenue. On this tour you will get to see how high society lived on East Avenue and the fine craftsmanship of the homes on the connecting streets. Of course, it was all countryside at first. East Avenue was a trail, widened into a dirt road in 1811. A few farmhouses lined the road that was used as a major stagecoach route. It wasn’t until the 1830s that the first mansions were constructed. You’ll get to see inside one fine estate completed in 1865, including the second floor. We just couldn’t let you miss the grand hall upstairs! One of the earliest areas you’ll traverse on the tour is Vick Park A and B. The curved section of Park Avenue between these two is all that remains of its original purpose: a horse-racing track. James Vick turned it into a nursery, and then ultimately subdivided it into home lots. What other area can boast of going from racing to roses to residences? You will even get to visit one of Mr. Vick’s first “spec houses.” As the 20th century dawned, developers gave streets names that would appeal to those looking to move up in the world. Collegiate names such as Oxford or Vassar; and British-influenced choices like Westminster, Barrington, Berkeley, and Buckingham bestowed an air of sophistication. You will enjoy seeing the sophisticated details as well as the warmth of the homes when you visit them on the 2018 tour.
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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
Houses on this tour include an interesting variety: a grand East Avenue mansion, elegant Colonial Revival homes, detailed Victorian cottages, and charming Tudor Revival houses. There is even a home in a structure originally built for a VERY different purpose—we challenge you to guess what! 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 7. Tickets can be purchased in person from us at our Corn Hill office or at Parkleigh, on the corner of Park Avenue and Goodman Street, starting Monday, May 14th; On the days of the tour, if we are not sold out, tickets will be available at our tour headquarters, the Rochester Regional Joint Board building at 750 East Avenue.
Pre-Tour Talk • Tuesday, June 5 at 7 pm
Architect Christopher Brandt presents a talk on the history and architecture of the tour neighborhood Rochester Academy of Medicine • 1441 East Avenue Free with tour ticket • $5 for all others
We are grateful to the major House and Garden Tour Sponsors: Platinum Sponsor:
Silver Sponsor:
Ticket Sales Sponsor:
Look for our advertising sponsors in the House Tour Ticket booklet.
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Architecture | Engineering | Interior Design 487 Main St. STE 500 Buffalo, NY 14203 P. 716.842.3165 www.cwm-ae.com
Where you go for news, information, local arts, and a big yellow bird. Historic Adaptive Re-Use Tax Credits Hospitality Corporate Healthcare Academic Housing Site Master Planning Subdivision Design
ON AIR | ONLINE | ON SCREEN Discover it all at wxxi.org
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PRESERVATION S T U D I O S
A full-service historic
Rehabilitation Tax Credit Services Historic Resource Surveying Historic Districting Historic Hollywood Theater Restoration - Gowanda NY
www.preservationstudios.com \ 716.725.6410
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617 Main Street | Suite 401 Buffalo, NY 14203 716 854 2424 www.flynnbattaglia.com
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Tavern Takeover Times Two by Caitlin Meives
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he Tavern Takeover in the summer of 2017 was a huge hit, so we’re giving you two opportunities this summer to enjoy a delicious local beer in the oldest tavern room in the county. Once again, we’re partnering with our Young Urban Preservationists and the Emerging Rochester Architects to bring you this unique and fun night. Picture walking into a building that has been there for more than 200 years. You step into the tavern and up to the taproom bar, guided by the glow of candlelight. A choice of refreshing beers is your reward, and then you wander the rooms exploring the tavern, kitchen, parlor bedroom, and pantry. The 19th century seems much more real in the dim light, as if the Stone family and tavern guests had just walked out the door.
Serving from the 213-year-old tap room.
Stone-Tolan House Historic Site
2370 East Avenue, June 20th and August 22nd, 6 to 9:30 pm June Brewery: Silver Lake Brewing Project August Brewery: Rohrbach Brewing Company
Outside you can join fellow imbibers for light snacks under a festive tent. The grounds include a kitchen garden, barn and other outbuildings you can check out. But you’ll probably be drawn to the campfire. What goes better with a local beer than make your own s’mores, complete with gourmet toppings? Your $15 ticket includes your first beer, light snacks, and make your own s’mores at the campfire. Additional drink tickets available for purchase. Purchase tickets on our website. If not sold out, they will be available at the door. Sponsorships Available! Contact Caitlin Meives at cmeives@ landmarksociety.org for information.
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Events
Walk the Walk 2018 by Cindy Boyer
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ebruary saw hundreds of students, along with teachers and families experience this meaningful program. They met six AfricanAmerican ancestors sharing stories of triumph and challenges. As one student commented, “This taught me that it literally can take just one person to make a difference.” The funders who supported the program made a difference as well, to over 1,400 students. Thank you to Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, Bergmann Associates, Willmott Foundation, and the Hochstein School of Music and Dance.
A Summer of Landmark by Cindy Boyer
Ellwanger Garden weekends
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ots of fun under the sun—or the moon! The Landmark Society has all sorts of activities to get you out and about in the Summer of ’18. May 12–13, 19–20, and June 2–3: Ellwanger Garden weekends This spectacular perennial garden opens for three weekends in late spring, so you can take full advantage of its peak season of bloom—including the Peony weekend in June. You can track the plants’ progress all summer long with Twilight Hours from 5 to 7, staring in June. 625 Mt Hope Ave, follow signs for parking. June 9–10: The 48th Annual House and Garden Tour See page 10 for all the details. June 15 and 16: Sunset Concerts Enjoy classical music al fresco, June 15th at St. Joseph’s Park, June 16th at the StoneTolan House historic site. Bring your camp chairs. Free admission, suggested donation $5 per person to support the musicians. June 15, 22, 29: Architecture for Lunch Walks 25 minute free tours, start at 12:10. 6/15: (NEW WALK!) meet at Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street. 6/22 meet in Washington Square, opposite Geva Theatre. 6/29: East End & Grove Place, meet in front of the Eastman Dormitory, 100 Gibbs St (behind YMCA.)
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June 20 AND August 22: Tavern Takeover Thirsty for history—and a nice microbrew? See page 13 for all the details on this popular event. July 19: LGBTQ–PRIDE WALKING TOUR “Resistance in the ‘70’s: Have We Come Full Circle?” Meet at 6:30 pm at Rochester’s City Hall for a free walking tour highlighting sites from our LGBTQ heritage. July 28: Bikes, Beer, Buildings See page 22 for this YUP-centric event August 3: First Friday: Spirits at St. Joe’s Subscribe to Landmark Alerts on our website to get the details on this fun evening.
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
August 6: Shakespeare at St. Joseph’s Park The Bard, as you’ve never experienced it before, as Shake on the Lake brings their production of Richard III to St. Joseph’s Park. What better setting for a tale of kings and treachery than the imposing stone walls of the former church? Free performance, suggested donation of $10. Bring your camp chairs. August 9: We’re hosting the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) Second Tuesday at Stone-Tolan. There will be an admission charge at the door.
Limited Space—Register soon!
Historic Tax Credits Saved!
A coalition of preservationists from across New York State that included The Landmark Society met with politicians in Albany to advocate for the inclusion of the Historic Tax Credits in Governor Cuomo’s budget that was recently passed. The tax credits will be reauthorized through 2024, protected from the changes to the Federal Historic Tax Credits, and include a transition window for eligible census tracts. Photo credit: Preservation League of NYS
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Events
Travel Tour News by Cindy Boyer and Larry Francer
Interested In Cuba 2019?
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ave you always wanted to go to Cuba but missed one of our earlier trips? You may have the opportunity to join us in February of 2019. We are putting out a call for interest in joining The Landmark Society for an experience that you will never forget. Having travelled to Cuba on two previous trips, our travel tour staff has finessed the itinerary to give our guests a travel tour that highlights the amazing architecture and preservation work taking place in Cuba but also allows you time
to get to know the wonderful Cuban people. We may even be adding a few new activities in case anyone wants to return with us for a second trip! Please contact Larry Francer, lfrancer@landmarksociety.org or 585.546.7029 x14 if you’d like more information about joining us for CUBA 2019.
The Gems of Vermont
Thursday, September 6–Sunday September 9, 2018 Farm to town touring….and farm to table dining!
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here is still space to register for this trip to see some of the best our neighbor to the northeast has to offer. Activities will include: • A welcome dinner at the renowned Farmhouse Tap and Grill, famous for farm to table cuisine. • A walking tour of Burlington, “The Prettiest Town in America” conducted by Preservation Burlington—including time at the fantastic Saturday Public Market. • A full day exploring the best of Americana art, crafts and architecture at The Shelburne Museum.
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• Harvest Moon Dinner Cruise on The Spirit of Ethan Allen on the sixth largest lake in the United States— Lake Champlain.
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
Charming Vermont Villages
Left, red barn at Shelburne Museum. Right, Hildene, the Lincoln mansion
• Shelburne Farms visit to discover how they teach about sustainability while touring the most beautiful bucolic place imaginable and tasting their amazing cheeses.
one of the many small, highly rated restaurants that cannot accommodate a group.
four lunches, and two dinners; expert guidance from Landmark Staff escorts; all taxes and gratuities
Registration
• Hildene, A Lincoln Family Home. A magnificent estate located in Manchester and home of President Lincoln’s son Robert.
• $1,689 Landmark Member, Double Occupancy
To register visit www.landmarksociety.org to download the form, or call (585) 5467029 extension 11 to reserve a spot with your credit card.
And much more, including free time Saturday late afternoon and evening so you may explore Burlington and enjoy
Includes Luxury Motorcoach Transportation, three nights at the Hotel Vermont in Burlington; three breakfasts,
• $300 single supplement • $50 nonmember supplement.
Savannah Recap
We had a great time on the Savannah trip this past March. Hope you will join us on future tours!
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People
Mitch Rowe Named Preservation Services Coordinator W
e’re pleased to welcome our newest staff member, Mitch Rowe, who will serve as Preservation Services Coordinator. Mitch will be working with a variety of community partners to best leverage preservation planning practices. He’ll also help us develop a more formalized approach to the Traditional Trades initiative. “Mitch brings a wealth of experience and expertise to The Landmark Society," said Wayne Goodman, Executive Director. "His track record of working with both the public and private sectors has facilitated proven results. His skill set is well-suited to enhance our organization’s role in serving Rochester and communities throughout western New York.” Rowe comes to us with more than 30 years of experience working for the City of Rochester, most recently as Director of Buildings & Parks. He also served as a Monroe County legislator and held key positions in Seneca County and the Town of Irondequoit. Rowe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in government and politics from SUNY Empire State College and a Master of Public Administration from the State University of New York at Brockport. “Joining the team at the Landmark Society is a wonderful opportunity to support the organization’s critical mission of protecting the unique heritage of our region,” said Rowe. “This is a new way for me to serve the community and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Landmark Art Collection – Wenrich Watercolor J
ohn C. Wenrich (1894–1970) was an architect who taught at RIT in the early 1920s. The son of a locomotive engineer, he is best known for his railroad genre-views, architectural illustrations, his work with the Rockefeller Center design team, and his renderings of the two New York World’s Fairs. Longtime supporters of The Landmark Society, Mr. Wenrich and his wife donated his collection to us and a memorial fund was set up to finance the Wenrich Memorial Library at our headquarters. You will have the opportunity to purchase art from our collection at the annual Jubilee, online, and at a future art show. Contact Larry Francer for more information, lfrancer@landmarksociety.org or 585.546.7029 x14.
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The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
Member Profile Brad Stanley by Cindy Boyer
If you’ve been to our June House and Garden Tour, or the Fall Inside Downtown Tour, you may have met Brad. A long-time member and volunteer, in the past few years he has undertaken the important role of House Captain in June and Site Manager at The Inside Downtown Tour, managing teams of volunteer hosts at each event.
Q
: Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in the mountains of southwest Virginia and moved to the area over 18 years ago. I still get questioned about my accent all the time. When I’m not working in the accounting field, I love to travel, garden, read, and feed every animal that wanders into my backyard.
Q
: How did you become interested in historic preservation?
I’ve always been intrigued by buildings; I love everything from the styles, the functions, and even the mechanics. The craftsmanship and ingenuity from years past rival anything being built today. When I heard about The Landmark Society and their mission, I knew it was something I wanted to get involved with. Maintaining connections with our past through buildings and neighborhoods is important to me for historical and even, aesthetic purposes.
Q
: You are a volunteer at The Landmark Society’s House and Garden Tour as well as the Inside Downtown Tour, right? Tell us a little about what that is like, why you enjoy it. I cannot say enough positive things about volunteering for both of these events! I enjoy helping make these tours possible so that others can see the wonderful spaces. Being a social person, I love
talking to the people on the tours. Plus, I am always happy to see others enjoy historic places as much as I do. The tour goers are very friendly and appreciative of the opportunity to explore. I’ve enjoyed learning even more history about the location from the tour goers and some of them have personal connections that they will share with you: they once worked in the building, they used to attend tea parties there, or that they used to attend after school programs in the building. I find these volunteer opportunities very fulfilling and would highly recommend it to anyone who’s interested.
Q
: There are so many organizations in our community that a person can support with membership and volunteering. Why do you think people should choose The Landmark Society? I think The Landmark Society’s mission to preserve and foster interest in the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage in the region is very important. As a history buff I think it’s important to respect the past and I think The Landmark Society’s efforts in the community help make Rochester, Rochester. With so many beautiful buildings and neighborhoods that need to be honored, The Landmark Society is the only organization with that
ability. As a not for profit they need the community’s support to continue with their amazing programs and initiatives.
Q
: Anything else you’d like to add?
As a member for many years, I’m glad I decided to get more involved and started volunteering. During all my interactions with The Landmark Society, I’ve encountered such friendly and dedicated employees. I look forward to many more years being an active member. I’m looking forward to spring and this year’s home and garden tour.
Who do you think should be featured on this page? Please contact Cindy Boyer at cboyer@landmarksociety.org with suggestions for future Landmark member profiles
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New Listings in the National Register of Historic Places W estern New York has thousands of properties eligible for listing in the Register—yours might be one of them! Benefits include tax incentives for rehabilitation of houses and commercial buildings, grants to repair historic churches, and more.
Recent listings include: Maplewood Historic District, Rochester NY Terminal Building, 65 W. Broad St., Walworth United Methodist Church Rochester, NY LeRoy Downtown Historic District, LeRoy, Genesee Co. Gaines District #2 Cobblestone School House, 3286 Gaines Rd., Albion, Orleans Co. Walworth United Methodist Church, 3679 Main St., Walworth, Wayne Co. Waterloo Commercial Historic District, Waterloo, Seneca Co. Newberry Building, 111 Main St., Batavia, Genesee Co. Warren-Benham House, 5680 Seneca Point Rd., South Bristol, Ontario Co. Todd-Wilmot Co. Building, 1255 University Ave., Rochester, NY Potter Historic District, Fairport, Monroe Co. Lyons Downtown Historic District, Lyons, Wayne Co. Fairport Public Library, 18 Perrin St., Fairport, Monroe Co. For more information about the National Register of Historic Places program, contact Caitlin Meives (cmeives@landmarksociety.org) or Cynthia Howk (chowk@landmarksociety.org).
www.eastaveinn.com
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585.325.5010
maria@eastaveinn.com
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
From the Director,
continued from page 3 Preservation is, among other things, a connector that links us to ourselves and to each other. Its influence can be both powerful and subtle, and this subtlety requires us to remain vigilant. Cities like Savannah demonstrate that our architectural heritage is one of the strongest connectors to our histories. Our historic resources offer more than a respectful nod to the past; they help us frame and acknowledge where we have been, where we want to go, and who we want to be. It is our responsibility to safeguard these links to our personal and cultural pasts. Thank you for entrusting us with this responsibility. For over 80 years the Landmark Society has remained a steadfast advocate for facilitating seamless transitions between yesterday and tomorrow, and we cannot do it without your support—thank you. All the best,
Wayne Goodman, Executive Director
A Major New Book About Mount Hope Cemetery by Richard Reisem This was the city of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Leading the flourishing nursery business was Ellwanger and Barry, owners of the largest such operation in America. George Eastman is mentioned on 14 separate pages in this new book.
B
uried Treasures is the ultimate Mount Hope Cemetery book. History comes alive in this 230-page pictorial field guide, through the lives of a select number of the 350,000 people who are buried here. Through biographic sketches of more than 650 permanent residents of Mount Hope Cemetery, this book becomes a fascinating history of Rochester, New York, America’s first boomtown in the early 1800s, when it was the flour-milling capital of the world. Rochester morphed to become the third largest clothing manufacturing center in the U.S., and soon after, a horticultural phenomenon. Kodak made us the world’s colossal leader in photography. Here are just some of the citizens mentioned in this new book whose final resting place is at Mt. Hope.
A Rochesterian founded Western Union Telegraph Company; another Rochesterian started Xerox. Bausch and Lomb created one of the great optical companies. Exxon Mobil was started here by Hiram Everest. The first dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester won a Nobel Prize. William Warfield was the internationally renowned bass-baritone singer, actor, and America’s musical ambassador around the world. Malcolm E. Gray, president of Rochester Can Company, invented the five-day workweek. Henry A. Ward, world-renowned geologist and naturalist, stuffed and mounted P.T. Barnum’s giant elephant, Jumbo. William Kimball’s tobacco factory was one of the largest in the world, producing a billion cigarettes annually. Alexander Millener, who lived 103 years, was General George Washington’s drummer boy. Author Kurt Vonnegut—in writing Slaughterhouse Five—based the character Billy Pilgrim on the tragic life of Rochesterian Edward R. Crone, Jr. Buffalo Bill Cody created the forerunner of his Wild West Show in Rochester.
A persistent Hartwell Carver promoted the transcontinental railroad. His cemetery monument, built by a grateful Union Pacific Railroad, adorns the cover of this book. Frank Gannett launched his publishing empire here. This book brings all of them to life— from the tavern owner who operated the best oyster bar in town, to the man who persuaded Czar Alexander to sell Alaska to the U.S.; from the Revolutionary War era, to 2017 (including the recent death of Thomas R. Frey). More than 200 color photographs, including aerials with a drone camera, fill the pages of this exciting history book by author Richard Reisem and photographers Donald S. Hall and Ron Richardson.
Meet the Author!
Book signing Saturday, May 12th,10 am–4 pm The Landmark Society, 133 South Fitzhugh St.
One Day Only price of $25 (retail $35) Can’t make the signing? Advance sale price of $30 available through May 31 at www.landmarksociety.org
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People
The YUP-date by Caitlin Meives
P U Y
!
A
fter an intensive strategic planning process with Suzanne Piotrowski of BadFish Consulting, we’re putting the finishing touches on our execution plan. This document lays out clear priorities and projects for the YUPs over the next three years and will help guide us as we look to grow and expand our service to the community. We’re now looking forward to putting this plan into action! You can read more about it on The Landmark Society’s website: www.landmarksociety.org/yup. In February, we partnered with the 540WMain Community Learning Academy to host our annual Heart Bombing event. The focus of this year’s love was a long vacant home in the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood. The Landmark Society has conducted a feasibility study for rehabilitation of the house. If a reuse moves forward, we’ll be sure to partner with them to help make the project a success! The YUPs are heading into the busy summer season with lots of plans in store. In addition to executing new plans, we’ll be holding our signature event, the fifth annual Bikes, Beers & Buildings on Saturday, July 28th. Tickets will go on sale late June/early July. We’re also partnering with our friends at Emerging Rochester Architects to bring you two(!) Tavern Takeovers at the Stone-Tolan Historic Site on June 20th and August 22nd. The Takeovers are a great opportunity for you to explore the Stone-Tolan House and grounds at your own pace, with your friends in tow and a good local beer in hand. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both events— contact Caitlin at cmeives@landmarksociety.org if your business is interested. YUPs heart bomb 6 Madison St in the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood.
Save the Date! The Young Urban Preservationists’ signature event, Bikes, Beers & Buildings returns for its 5th year! Saturday, July 28th with Fifth Frame Brewing as our home base. Registration opens late June.
www.landmarksociety.org/yup
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@YoungUrbanPres
The Landmark Society of Western New York | landmarksociety.org
www.facebook.com/YoungUrbanPreservationists
Never Miss Our House & Garden Tour?
As a Premium member, your ticket to beautiful homes like this site from last year’s House & Garden Tour is free! Photo courtesy of Christen Kelley with Celebrate City Living
C
onsider this: our Pillar members ($150 level) receive one free ticket to this event every year; Cornerstone members ($250) receive two! It’s our thank you for your extra support preserving the historic landscapes across the region we all love.
Contact Membership Coordinator Tyler to upgrade your membership and request your free tickets today! (585) 546-7029 x16 tlucero@landmarksociety.org.
We continue to encourage you to go “crazy 8s” and add $8, $18, $88, or more to your membership dues during our 80th Anniversary year! If you are giving at the Individual $45 level, consider adding $8 and giving $53 towards your membership this year; if you are giving at the Couple / Family $70 level, consider adding $18 to your dues for a fitting total of $88 this year. Your extra support will help us continue to preserve and redeem our region’s architectural heritage for decades to come.
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133 South Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, New York 14608
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