New York State - The Preservationist
 
Late Summer 2014
Listings Leader
New York has consistently led the nation in the number of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, helping to develop important standards and policies. There are over 88,500 listings in the U.S., and New York has the most of any state with more than 5,500; here are a few highlights:
  
The Space Shuttle Enterprise (pictured above) played an important role in the development of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program. Built for NASA in the mid-1970s, the shuttle was the only full-scale prototype of the shuttle fleet. Although not capable of space flight, the Enterprise was indispensable in proving the shuttle's flight worthiness and was later used during the investigations and modifications following the Challenger and Columbia accidents. The Enterprise is now an attraction at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City. 
  
"1949 Follies: Forty-Five Miles from Sayville" Cherry Grove Community House and Theater, APCG Archives
In 1999, Stonewall in New York City became the first site in the country to be listed for its association with gay and lesbian civil rights. In 2013, Cherry Grove Community House and Theater on Fire Island was the third gay and lesbian site in the country to be listed for its role in shaping "America's First Gay and Lesbian Town." The landmark was established in the mid-twentieth century by the Cherry Grove Property Owners Association, which influenced the community's devlopment, facilitating integration of its gay and lesbian residents into local governing affairs and civic life. The association also facilitated what can be described as the first "gay theater," produced by gay people for gay and straight audiences, in the country.
  
Read more about the registers program.
New York State - The Preservationist
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Taking Credit
Listing on the State and National Registers provides access to various incentives, including federal historic rehabilitation tax credits, which offer owners of historic income-producing properties a federal income tax credit equal to 20 percent of the rehabilitation costs. New York's federal tax credit program has been breaking national records with projects representing $1.16 billion in 2013 alone. Since the advent of state historic rehabilitation tax credits in 2006, the use of tax credits in upstate New York has increased; here's an example:
 
The Holy Rosary Church property in Rochester, which was built during the early 1900s and later expanded, has been transformed into an affordable housing complex, showing that unused religious properties can be revitalized. With the help of preservation tax credits, the rectory, convent, and school now house apartments and the church's former sanctuary serves as a community center.
  
For more project highlights and information about tax incentives, including the state tax credit for homeowners, visit nysparks.com/shpo/
Vacant Not Blighted

Vacant Not Blighted: Revitalizing Detroit  

This new short film produced by the Michigan Historic Preservation Network highlights rehabilitation efforts in Detroit, which has been experiencing a well-documented decline. Through a combination of projects and persoanl stories, the video demonstrates that historic places help to establish a community's character and sense of place, and that preservation is a powerful revitalization tool. Watch now

Site Seeing
New York's state historic sites tell the story of our rich heritage and instill in us a sense of pride in our past. The Bureau of Historic Sites and Parks, which is part of the Division for Historic Preservation, provides technical assistance to these properties; here are some highlights:
 
There's a new cell phone tour at John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid. The tour traces the life of one of the country's most controversial anti-slavery crusaders, including Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. For information, call the site at 518-523-3900.
  
From August 1944 to February 1946, a temporary shelter at Fort Ontario in Oswego helped hundreds of World War II refugees to regain their health and well being. An exhibit at Fort Ontario State Historic Site highlights the 70th anniversary of this important chapter in the property's history.
  
This basket is included in an exhibit at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, the nation's first publicly owned historic site. Baskets like this one were introduced at the 1902 World's Fair in New York City by a Texan farmer who fashioned them out of armadillo shells. Sadly, his thriving business nearly eliminated armadillos from that area of Texas.
  
Find more state historic sites.

In Remembrance

Stuart Stein
(1930-2014) will be remembered for his extraordinary commitment to advancing sound community planning and preservation practices in New York, especially in his hometown of Ithaca. From 1962 to 1993, he served as professor and later chair of Cornell University's Department of City and Regional Planning, and also held various appointed and elected positions, including chair of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. We pay special tribute to Stu, who strove to improve our built environment for the greater public good.
Division for Historic Preservation
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
PO Box 189, Waterford, NY 12188
518-237-8643 nysparks.com/shpo
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