Excellence in Historic Preservation Award Winners - 1999
The Preservation League of New York State will honor nine exemplary projects, organizations and individuals from across the state with a 1999 Preservation League Award during the League’s 25th Anniversary Celebration on May 10, 1999. The celebration and award presentations will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the new Christie’s location at 20 Rockefeller Plaza, and is open to the public.
The efforts of individuals, organizations and municipalities on behalf of historic resources too often go unheralded even while they are significantly improving the quality of life and economic vitality of communities of all sizes in New York State. This award program salutes the efforts of the varied stewards of our historic resources and recognizes the ways that historic preservation is a means to achieve a goal– whether economic vitality, tourism, affordable housing, education, or merely the keeping of what we find important and representative of our and our ancestors’ lives.
FRIENDS OF TERRA COTTA AND COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FOR NEW YORK ARCHITECTURAL TERRA COTTA COMPANY ARCHIVE PROJECT
The archiving of the records from 6,248 Architectural Terra Cotta Company proposals chronicled and made accessible valuable information for public use and research.
LANDER STREET PARTNERS FOR PHASE ONE OF LANDER STREET HOUSES PROJECT
Phase One of this project completed the careful rehabilitation of 33, 19th century row houses in Newburgh that created 64 apartments for low-income families.
FRIENDS OF THE OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT FOR OLD CROTON TRAILWAY STATE PARK GUIDE
The beautiful and easy-to-use guide introduces trail users to the natural and historic resources along the scenic footpath connecting the historic river towns of the lower Hudson Valley.
ESSEX COMMUNITY HERITAGE ORGANIZATION FOR THIRTY YEARS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION EFFORTS IN ESSEX
The organization’s stewardship of the historic resources in Essex began in 1969 when local citizens sought to revitalize their community. Since then, ECHO has created affordable housing, provided technical assistance and training, and revitalized of public buildings among many other projects and programs.
GRAYCLIFF CONSERVANCY FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO RESTORE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S GRAYCLIFF
Graycliff Conservancy sprung from a grass roots community reaction to a threatened, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed landmark in Derby, near Buffalo. In less than two years, the all-volunteer organization raised funds to purchase the building, complete a historic structure report, and begin restoration.
SENATOR JOHN A. DEFRANCISCO AND ASSEMBLYMAN PETER J. ABBATE, JR. FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIP OF THE 1997 REAL PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVE FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS
This law enables local governments to provide a freeze on any increase in property taxes triggered by the substantial rehabilitation of a historic building. Senator DeFrancisco’s and Assemblyman Abbate’s efforts were sustained over several years and legislative sessions, and their belief in the usefulness of this law never wavered. The law has since been adopted by over a dozen communities, and many others are researching the possibility of adopting the law.
MARGOT GAYLE FOR DEDICATION TO THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF CAST IRON ARCHITECTURE
Margot Gayle has been tireless in her efforts to increase public awareness of the beauty and significance of cast iron architecture. Through her publications and personal involvement in many projects, she has heightened the recognition of cast iron architecture by architectural historians across the state. Her enthusiasm to educate others and her love of architecture is still clearly evident even beyond her 90th birthday.
CLEM LABINE FOR HIS VISION IN LAUNCHING PUBLICATIONS THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY RAISED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Brooklyn native Clem Labine is the founder of Old House Journal and the founder and current publisher of Traditional Building. Both publications have brought historic preservation into mainstream America, while providing information on restoration techniques, architectural styles, and hard-to-find sources for rehabilitation products.
On Monday, May 10, the Preservation League of New York State will celebrate 25 years of dedication to the protection of the remarkable collection of historic buildings, landscapes and structures that define and empower the Empire State. The Preservation League of New York State, founded in 1974, is the only statewide, not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection of New York’s historic buildings, districts and landscapes. It actively encourages historic preservation in local communities through technical support, legal assistance, and grants-in-aid programs. It provides a united voice for historic preservation efforts through public policy work and maintains a presence in the state legislature.