A Preservationist Gift Guide
Tis the season for holiday gift-giving. If you are in need of some ideas for the preservationist, history nerd, or old house lover in your life, we’ve got you covered. It’s been a hard year for all the local shops and nonprofits that make our communities vibrant. We hope you consider shopping local (and early!) this holiday season whenever possible. In addition to all the things that can get wrapped or stuffed into a stocking, memberships also make great gifts (are you a League VIP yet? We hope so!). Your support, especially at this time of year, can go a long way to keeping the organizations you rely on working hard all year long. Check out the list of our Preservation Colleagues to see who is doing good work right in your backyard, support a local artist, buy a gift membership from a local museum or performing arts organization you haven’t had a chance to visit this year, and buy gifts from the local stores that make your Main Street or Downtown the special place it is.
The League is not sponsored by any of the sites linked here — this is just a good old fashioned roundup of personal recommendations that we think you might enjoy too.
For the Friend Who is Fixing Up Their Old House
"Save All The Old Houses" Unisex Pullover
Buy via Cheap Old Houses
Cheap Old Houses has a lot of great merch (we also really like this pin, this keychain, and this t-shirt), but it’s the cozy season and who doesn’t love a good sweatshirt?
A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester
Buy via Bookshop.org
An essential reference for understanding classic American domestic architecture. Great for preservationists, architecture enthusiasts, and even realtors! This one comes especially recommended by our Preservation Policy Manager.
Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid by Marianne Cusato and Ben Pentreath
Buy via Bookshop.org
A good companion to A Field Guide to American Houses. For the historic homeowner who wants to DIY their restoration, this book will be a very handy reference.
Hand Embroidered House Portrait
Buy via stitchmeknotboutique on Etsy
A very special keepsake that might be especially appreciated by someone who is a new homeowner. These hand-embroidered house portraits will look great hanging in a recently restored foyer.
Watercolor Custom House Portrait
Buy via StacyZeledonArt on Etsy
If they prefer an original illustration over embroidery, you can commission a custom painting instead! Custom work like this tends to sell out early in the season, but there are many great artists who take on these commissions. Or you can always bookmark for later!
Stone House Marker
Buy via TheSlateMasons on Etsy
For anyone who is inclined to brag about the age of their house, help them put it in stone with a slate house marker.
For the Book Worm
The Architecture of Downtown Troy: An Illustrated History by Diana S. Waite
Buy via SUNY Press (use code PLNY20 to get 30% off!)
One of this year’s Excellence in Historic Preservation Award winners, this book would make for great reading and a great addition to a stylish coffee table.
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
Buy via Bookshop.org
This is what we’re currently reading in our Preservation Book Club. It’s already a classic and we think it should be required reading for anyone hoping to understand more about our built environment and how policies have shaped the places we call home.
Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights by Gretchen Sorin
Buy it via Bookshop.org
A few of us have already read this book and the rest of us are still looking forward to reading it. “Interwoven with Sorin's own family history and enhanced by dozens of little known images, Driving While Black charts how the automobile fundamentally reshaped African American life, and opens up an entirely new view onto one of the most important issues of our time.“
The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin
Buy it via Bookshop.org
For the fantasy lover in your life, this is the first book in a trilogy (books 2 and 3 still to be released!) exploring the soul of New York City. It was also one of our Preservation Book Club picks.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Buy it via Bookshop.org
This essay collection is on our “to read” list. “Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, and as a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings…offer us gifts and lessons, even if we've forgotten how to hear their voices.”
It's a Helluva Town: Joan K. Davidson, the J.M. Kaplan Fund, and the Fight for a Better New York by Roberta Brandes Gratz
Buy it via Bookshop.org
One of our Board members wrote a book about another one of our Board members. We love to see it.
For the Preservationist-in-Training
New York City Block
Buy via Globe Totters
Handmade in Brooklyn (they also have a Brooklyn block!), this soft, squishy toy is sure to delight any baby.
The Story of a House by Miki Conn
Buy it via Amazon
A brand new children’s book by a New York author that came recommended by a member of our Trustees Council, “it’s really a story about the circle of life, motivated by the author’s fascination with old abandoned houses.“
Nanoblock New York Skyline Building Set 1480pc
Buy via Tenement Museum
For the older kid who loves Legos, this set will let them “build a replica of the famous New York skyline complete with the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park.”
Manhattan Block Set
Buy via Maisonette
A beautiful stacking block toy for toddlers that will also look nice sitting on a shelf. We love baby toys that double as decor.
NYC Transit Romper
Buy via New York Transit Museum Store
Babies can never have too many rompers, and this one is perfect for the budding transportation enthusiast. This romper was recently gifted from one League staffer to another, so we can personally attest to its gift-ability.
When Jackie Saved Grand Central: The True Story of Jacqueline Kennedy's Fight for an American Icon by Natasha Wing (Author) and Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)
Buy via Bookshop.org
Jacqueline Kennedy advocated passionately to save the iconic Grand Central Terminal. This picture book helps tell that story to even the littlest preservationists.
For the Preservationist Who is Also a Foodie
Tenement Food Tea Towel
Buy via Tenement Museum
A cute tea towel is always a safe gift, and this one is particularly delightful. It makes us hungry just looking at it. Black and white cookie, anyone?
Guggenheim Spiral Teapot
Buy via Guggenheim Store
Add a bit of whimsy to your afternoon tea with this delightful teapot in the shape of one of New York’s most iconic buildings, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum. There are more options in this collection (like a vase and espresso cups), but we think the teapot is particularly charming.
Custom Mug by Nicole Aquillano
Buy via NicoleAquillano.com
Many of Nicole’s ceramic pieces feature architecturally-inspired designs, but you can make your gift more personal by commissioning a custom mug (or ornament, plate, vase…). This would pair well with that Guggenheim teapot and some loose leaf tea from your local teashop (we like Saratoga Tea and Honey Company).
Waterlillies Old Fashioned Glasses
Buy via Martin House Museum Store
Bring a little bit of Frank Lloyd Wright’s classic design into the kitchen with these beautiful old fashioned glasses. They will instantly make your beverages feel more festive.
For the Crafty Preservationist
Tiny Activist Project: Sew Your Own Jane Jacobs or I.M. Pei
Buy via SarahMarsom.com
Preservationist Sarah Marsom’s Tiny Activist Project “works to connect urbanism, heritage, and community activism to diverse age groups” through hand-sewn dolls and workshops. You can buy a sew-your-own kit or a readymade doll. They make for cute Instagram posts.
East Aurora Architecture Coloring Book
Buy via ConfluenceCreative on Etsy
The holidays can be stressful, but coloring can be very relaxing. Enjoy some meditation through coloring pages while exploring the architecture of East Aurora through Dana Saylor’s original pen and ink illustrations.
Martin House Atom Brick Building Set
Buy via Martin House Museum Store
For the friend who is obsessed with Frank Lloyd Wright, this replica of Buffalo’s Martin House is sure to provide several hours of fun.
Hometown Map Puzzle
Buy via L.L.Bean
Jigsaw puzzles have been a hot commodity this year. This one let’s you personalize it with the intended recipient’s hometown (or favorite place to visit).
ALB Nipper Tie-Dye T-Shirt
Buy via Fort Orange General Store
For the crafty preservationist who is a little short on time, this Albany t-shirt featuring a drawing of the local landmark Nipper statue will keep them on trend even if they haven’t gotten around to tie dying anything themselves this year.
For the NYC Enthusiast
The Encyclopedia of New York
Buy via Amazon
From the editors of New York magazine, this book “is part deep dive into hidden histories and part city field guide covering most anything one might want to know about the origins of things invented in New York City, including many you likely weren’t aware were created here — for instance, the game of Scrabble was born in Jackson Heights in 1931.“
Vignelli Subway Diagram Socks
Buy via New York Transit Museum Store
Socks are a perennially popular stocking stuffer, but this year add a little public transit flair to a new pair.
Gift Membership for Untapped New York Insiders
Buy via untappedcities.com
Untapped New York hosts all sorts of fun tours (in person and virtual) exploring hidden places around NYC. Their Insiders membership program provides “free access to the city's most off-limits places, events from the city’s leading cultural institutions, discounts to Untapped New York tours, and more!”
Bricks & Brownstone: The New York Row House by Charles Lockwood and Patrick Ciccone
Buy via Bookshop.org
League Trustee Patrick Ciccone worked on the reissue of this classic book that explores “the changing form and varied architectural styles of the much-loved New York City row house.”
New York Coffee Cup
Buy via MoMA Design Store
The classic Greek-style New York takeout cup is instantly recognizable. This reusable ceramic version is bound to be a hit. Our Communications Director owns one and literally everyone who has ever seen it has been truly delighted.