Excellence Award Spotlight: Steve Swiat
“Receiving this statewide recognition is truly an honor and feels like a meaningful milestone after 25 years in the historic trades,” said Steve Swiat. “This represents not only personal accomplishment, but also the privilege I’ve had to contribute to preserving history across New York State. Having the opportunity to work on some of the state’s most remarkable historic homes have been both rewarding and humbling, and this recognition affirms the value of that work.”
As one of the 2025 Excellence in Historic Preservation Awardees, Steve Swiat of Northwood Sash & Joinery is being recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Preservation Trades Award. Adding a category to our annual Excellence Awards designed to honor individuals or teams that demonstrate exceptional skill, commitment, and creativity in traditional trades practices is one way the League is supporting our ongoing efforts to bolster the preservation trades.
Richard Osgood, Senior Project Manager at Bero Architecture said, "Steve is most deserving of this award – not only for the superior quality of his finished work, but also for his passion to preserve historic wood window sash and trim, for his ability to explain why we should do it, and for his care to teach us exactly how best to do it."
For 25 years, Steve has been practicing his trade of wood craftsmanship for historic window sashes, doors, and millwork trim across New York state, and training future trades people through numerous workshops and demonstrations. Steve's work demonstrates excellence in historic preservation by using traditional, historic materials that were designed and fabricated to be repaired and restored whenever possible. In doing so, his work promotes true sustainability through reduced material consumption, maximizes embodied energy resources already used to create the initial product and puts less waste in our overburdened landfills.
In reference to a project Steve recently completed at Rochester’s George Eastman House Museum, Landmark Society of Western NY Director of Preservation Services Megan Klem said, “Steve Swiat’s dedication to authenticity, attention to detail, and mastery of historic window restoration ensured that these vital architectural features will continue to serve the building for another century. His work not only enhances the functionality and historic integrity of the Eastman House but also stands as a model for preservation excellence.”
Window restoration expert and past Excellence Awardee Steve Jordan added, “Steve Swiat and the Northwood Sash & Joinery team's attention to detail on the Eastman House windows set a threshold standard that far surpasses most commercial quality work. It proves that with skills, determination, and organization, great feats are possible.”
Left: An initial site visit to the Eastman House with Bero Architecture. Right: The restored window sash installed on site.
Over the course of his career, Steve and his team of skilled craftspeople completed major restoration projects at sites across New York, including the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and Parsonage (Harriet Tubman) in Auburn, the Roycroft Print Shop in East Aurora, Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, Poppenhusen Institute in Queens, and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National House Site in Buffalo. When asked about some of his proudest professional moments, Steve said,
Some of my proudest professional moments have come from taking on projects that initially felt far beyond my capabilities — such as restoring the large columns at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. Successfully completing that work pushed me to grow as a professional and gave me a deep sense of accomplishment. I’m also very proud of the workshops and training sessions I’ve led over the years on historic window restoration. Sharing knowledge and serving as a resource for new restoration professionals has been especially rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to the future of the field while supporting others in developing their craft.