The League recently submitted this letter of support to the Adirondack Park Agency advocating for the preservation of Debar Lodge. This follows the letter the League submitted to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in November 2020, urging them to reconsider their proposal to demolish the National Register-listed Debar Pond Lodge.

Dear Members of the APA Board,

Please accept these comments by the Preservation League of New York State (League) regarding the Proposed Adoption of the Debar Mountain Complex Unit Management Plan (UMP). The draft UMP proposes, among other things, the removal of the National Register listed Debar Pond Lodge Complex and its replacement with a day-use picnic area. While the League supports improvements for visitors to the park, we feel it should be done in a manner that does not sacrifice historic resources. As such, we strongly oppose the proposed demolition of the historic Debar Pond Lodge Complex.

The Debar Pond Lodge Complex in Franklin County is an important example of an Adirondack rustic camp and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect William Distin, the buildings represent one of the last significant developments of its type in the park. Distin was the designer of a number of buildings in the Adirondacks including St. John’s in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Paul Smiths and the ice arena in Lake Placid that hosted events for the 1932 Winter Olympics. We feel that the preservation of his work is essential to understanding the long and rich history of the Adirondacks. If we lose these touchstones, we risk telling an incomplete story of one of New York’s and the nation’s most important places, the Adirondack State Park.

The League supports an alternative to the demolition of the Debar Pond Lodge that would utilize a constitutional land exchange amendment to avert demolition and allow public access to the buildings and its setting. This alternative would allow for a land exchange between New York State and a nonprofit organization whereby the state would pass the Debar Pond Lodge buildings and a few acres of land to the nonprofit in exchange for a much larger parcel of land of equal value, which would become part of the Adirondack State Park. This is a mechanism with which the League is very familiar as we were a leading partner in advocating for a similar successful land transfer to save the outbuildings of Great Camp Sagamore in 1983. That camp, as you know, is a tremendous asset for the state. Operated by the Sagamore Institute it continues to serve an important educational role.

This win-win land exchange would expand the Adirondack Park, preserve National Register listed historic buildings, save the cost of demolition by New York State, and create another wonderful opportunity for visitors to understand the full history of the Adirondack Park.

The nonprofit organization in this case would be the Debar Pond Institute, which would agree to restore and maintain the buildings while operating the Debar Pond Lodge Complex for public purposes, including the recreational use of Debar Pond. Uses will include educational programs, public recreation, lodging, and tours. This nonprofit has already formed and lists among its board members longtime Adirondack residents with a history of advocacy for the park and its historic resources. For its part, the Institute has already secured commitments for private funds to acquire 300 acres of land to satisfy their part of the land exchange. The next step is up to New York State.

The Preservation League of New York State calls on New York State to adopt the land exchange model as the best solution for keeping the history of the Adirondack Park alive and vital for all visitors. We stand ready to assist in any way we can.

With appreciation for your commitment to New York State,

Jay DiLorenzo

President
Preservation League of New York State

The Preservation League has been working with neighborhood advocates in Poughkeepsie to save the historic Williams Hall on the Vassar campus since this past summer. Click here to read the letter of support submitted by League Vice President for Policy & Preservation Erin Tobin.

This Wednesday, December 2, the Town of Poughkeepsie will meet to decide whether to preserve this historic building and its associated surroundings. Please add your name and vote YES to preserve before the hearing. Poughkeepsie town leaders are listening.

If you would like to learn more, sign the petition, and Zoom into Wednesday's Poughkeepsie Town Board meeting, please visit the Arlington Neighborhood Association's website.

Last month, we called attention to the impending demolition of the circa 1926 former Colonie Village School, and highlighted some great school reuse projects across New York State.

The League submitted a determination of eligibility for this school to the State Historic Preservation Office, and recently learned that the agency determined it eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The agency indicated this school building meets the criteria for listing on the registers under both criterion A (association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns in our history) and criterion C (Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; or represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values; or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction).

Regrettably, public documents available seem to indicate the Village of Colonie Planning Board may not have given this historic building appropriate consideration under SEQR, prior to the issuance of a demolition permit for this historic school.

The League recently submitted a letter of support to the Landmarks Preservation Board in Yonkers to express support for designating The Yorkshire as a local landmark.

As stated in the Landmarks Application, The Yorkshire is a “public amenity” and “public delight” much beloved by the surrounding community. It is also an architecturally significant Tudor Revival apartment building, part of a collection of apartment buildings on Garrett Place that reflect the social and architectural history of Yonkers. The Yorkshire is also an important piece of Yonkers social fabric, as it provides necessary affordable housing through many rent-controlled and stabilized apartment.

Click here to read the full letter.

The Preservation League recently submitted a letter to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, urging them to reconsider their proposal to demolish the National Register-listed Debar Pond Lodge. This proposal by New York State is an egregious violation of the 1980 NYS Historic Preservation Act — as well as not being environmentally friendly, wasting the resources contained within this beautiful 20th century landmark. We support our Preservation Colleague, Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), who has also called for NYS DEC to table their draft scoping statement calling for demolition, bring together stakeholders, and allow for a thorough discussion of alternative solutions for the lodge.

Click here to read the League’s letter.

AARCH put together a video featuring the lodge and property, with Executive Director Steven Engelhart providing an overview of the property's history and his organization's involvement in seeking preservation solutions for the lodge.

On October 21, the League's Vice President for Policy and Preservation Erin Tobin had the great honor of participating in the New York State Senate Arts & Culture Roundtable. This event focused on the pandemic's impact on arts and cultural institutions, as well as the integral role these institutions will play in New York State's post-pandemic recovery. Erin's presentation focused specifically on the role that historic preservation plays in stimulating economic development, affordable housing, and the creation of artistic spaces.

Read more in the League's written statement and watch the recorded webcast below.

Since 2010, when we included Willert Park/A.D. Price Courts on our Seven to Save list, the Preservation League has supported Preservation Buffalo Niagara's work to save this significant historic site. Now we join them in calling for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority to begin the mandated federal review process and sit down with stakeholders. Click here to join the advocacy effort with Preservation Buffalo Niagara. 

Click here to read the League’s letter of support.

Click here to read the League’s support letter.

We are pleased that 17 partner organizations signed-on showing overwhelming support for the following preservation initiatives increasing the historic tax credit from 20% to 30% for small projects, renewing the historic barn tax credit, maintaining funding for historic sites, support for the Environmental Protection Fund, and inclusion in a future Environmental Bond Act. All of which will provide much needed economic stimulus in a post-COVID economy in New York State. We look forward to continuing to work with the agency and our colleagues on important preservation matters.

Community members have rallied around the modest 1911 gambrel home located at 88-28 43rd Avenue in Elmhurst. A recommendation submitted to the city’s Landmarks and Preservation Commission details the historical significance of the home, which was formerly the longtime home of Walentyna Janta-Polczynska, the “First Lady of Polish Americans.”

Walentyna, a WWII Polish War Heroine, resided at this residence until she passed away on April 2, 2020 at 107 years old. She was the last living member of the Polish Government-in-Exile and from 1940 to 1943 she served as a confidante and secretary of the prime minister and commander in chief, General Wladyslaw Sikorski. Her home became an important stopping place for Polish emigre elite fleeing Communist Poland as well as distinguished scholars, professors, and dignitaries. 

This cultural site is a rare example of significance not only for Polish and Polish American culture but on the accomplishments of a modern female war heroine. To read more about Walentyna’s accomplishments, check out this article. You can also read our letter of support, which outlines the historic and cultural importance of this site.

On September 8, the Southampton town board voted unanimously to pass two resolutions to address the preservation of unmarked burials and grave sites within the town. Resolution 2020-759 serves to protect the sanctity of unmarked burial sites by creating the position of town archaeologist, establishing a clear local process when remains are uncovered, ensure consultation, and explore acquisition of land from willing sellers. Resolution 2020-760 enacts a temporary six month moratorium on certain development actions within the hamlet of Shinnecock Hills, which will allow the review of current laws and ensure that human remains and associated funerary artifacts remain undisturbed to the greatest extent possible. 

You can read more here, in our letter of support, and review the text of the resolutions here.

We applaud Southampton for taking actions to celebrating its historic and cultural past!