landmark - Preservation Association of the Southern Tier

LANDMARK
The Newsletter of the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier
Fall 2008
www.pastny.org
Salvage Showroom Open House
and Grand Opening Sale!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15:
9AM – 11AM - PAST MEMBERS ONLY
11AM – 3PM - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
NOON – 3PM - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Karen Anderson at the entrance to PAST’s new Salvage Showroom, 21 North Depot St, Binghamton.
At long last, PAST is announcing our new Salvage
Showroom dedicated to the memory of Don McBride
who worked so hard to start our salvage program.
PAST members will have first choice and special
discounts at a pre-sale before we open to the public.
So now is the time to start thinking about how you can
bring a little piece of history into your home. Salvage
Showroom co-director, Karen Anderson, has started an
album of pictures from design magazines featuring
salvaged items used in decorating and remodeling: old
shutters used for pantry doors, old windows to frame
mirrors or family photographs, and old doorknobs for
hanging coats.
“Think outside the box when thinking about salvaged
items,” says PAST Executive Director, Jane
DeHawkhurst. “Look at a piece of salvaged
architecture and imagine what else it could be or
where you could use it in your home.”
That's what architects and citizens in Owego did when
they used iron bars from the old jail to make a fence for
the Estates at 231 Main Street. The renovated OwegoApalachin Middle School is now upscale apartments for
professionals. It is an outstanding example of adaptive
reuse, restoration and incorporating salvage - for today!
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Upcoming Events at PAST
PAST'S HOLIDAY PARTY
This is one of the most magnificent Holiday Parties in the
Southern Tier! Join us on Friday, December 12, 2008 at the
Phelps Mansion Museum, 6:30pm – 9pm, and bring an hors
d'oeuvre or your favorite seasonal libation. Flaming Figgy
Pudding is a party tradition and will be perfect in the Victorian
atmosphere of the Phelps Mansion. See this historic treasure
decorated for Christmas with private tours of the mansion.
This is a PAST Members Only event.
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON LECTURE
On December 10, 2008, 12noon – 2pm, at Roberson
Museum, you are invited to attend a Luncheon Lecture held in
conjunction with 2008 Home for the Holidays. PAST will
present “The Fortunes of the River” and show pictures of
places long gone from Binghamton's past. The confluence of
the rivers held much history, business and architecture,
including the mansions of “Millionaire's Row.” Make
reservations by calling Roberson Museum.
HOLIDAY TROLLEY TOUR
PAST and BC Transit will provide trolley rides and a guided
tour of the architecturally charming and historic homes of the
Abel Bennett Tract of Binghamton's West Side on Saturday,
December 27, 2008.
Learn why people of all social and economic levels and
professions moved to this area, now listed on the National and
State Registers of Historic Places. The tour will highlight the
different styles of architecture and the stories of local
celebrities who once lived in the Tract. Estimated time of tour
is 45 minutes. Tours depart from Roberson Museum's
main entrance at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm.
The tour is free but you must secure a seat by picking up a
ticket for the tour at the Roberson Reception Desk the day
of the tours.
Spirits of Binghamton's Past
Halloween Walking Tour
The Halloween Walking Tour was a SMASH HIT with young
and old alike. Binghamton downtown was aglow with the
warm light from streetlights on autumn leaves, while the
ghosts of our past greeted us in the street. Willis Sharpe
Kilmer told of adventures, Isaac Perry bragged of his
achievements, Joshua Whitney shouted his indignation from a
balcony, and the spirits of the girls who died in the clothing
factory fire roamed the streets. Even General Jones arrived
with his brigade. Children especially liked the tales of murder
and mayhem perpetrated by Binghamton's serial killer whose
brain is preserved at Cornell University.
Thank you to Ruth Levy and her committee (Crystal Lown,
Joan Sprague, John Darrow), all the docents who guided us
through the past, and all the wonderful actors who helped out.
They were outstanding! And a special thanks to everyone at
the Phelps Mansion who allowed us to visit and share in
refreshments – even the ghost of Sherman Phelps was on hand
to greet us at the door of his Mansion. A spooktacular night!
I SPY and EYE SPY
Have you read this in recent Sunday editions of the
Sunday Press & Sun-Bulletin?
“The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier, the
Susquehanna Heritage Area, the Broome County
Historical Society and the Press & Sun-Bulletin have
teamed up to launch an “I Spy” game using
architectural features in Broome county. Every Sunday,
there will be a new architecture “I Spy” photo and
riddle in the Life section. We’ll run the answer the
following week, along with a new photo and clue.”
We know that one 4th grade teacher at Thomas
Jefferson School in Binghamton is incorporating this
into her classroom activities. A Johnson City resident is
helping her granddaughter find each week’s selection.
What have you heard?
What recommendations do you have for future photos
and riddles? With your help we can point out common
and/or unusual features or locations, using this as a way
to educate the community and younger generations,
helping them to look differently at what they “see”
every day.
Maybe your contribution is the rhyming clue, or the
photo. Help us by contacting [email protected] or 7234620 x103.
Architectural items at the Salvage Showroom
include slate roofing.
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PAST Tour Deposit/Sanford:
Architecture and Anecdote
During the PAST tour, September 21, 2008,
participants (roughly 30 in number), saw a village
where even the most minimally maintained home had
preserved a feature from the mid-19th to mid-20th
century, features such as Queen Anne shingles,
Greek Revival structures, Italianate decorations,
Palladium windows. Kay Hoban, tour guide, claimed
for Deposit/Sanford the largest proportion of
domestic Greek Revival architecture in upstate New
York. A native bluestone hitching post fronted a
Queen Anne/Arts & Crafts transition.
After Carolyn de Nys' welcoming exposition of the
State Theater, completed February 20, 1937 and
keeping its blue vitrolite facade through roof
collapse, fire, and flood, the group moved to the
Museum (established in 1981 in the building of the
former Kaplan bank, 1869-1894), at an intersection
in the former Jericho Turnpike. Ms. Hoban led a
1/6th-mile around-the-block stroll leading along
homes, all of which possessed at least one signal
historical feature (and living residents).
The reception was at the home of Kay Hoban and
Lars Updale, 48 Dean Street, the former mansion of
J.J. Bell who had a thriving seed business. This
renovation required removal of walls of an interim
multiple-dwelling conversion and the restoration of
elaborate carved indoor woodwork. Afterwards
visitors saw an abandoned 1914 public school
(available for purchase) and an impressive trio of
Baptist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal churches. (The
Broome/Tioga county line runs through the
Presbyterian Church, according to local historian
Anne Parsons.) The tour ended at the current
community restoration project, the home of Oliver T.
Bundy, Civil War surgeon/dentist. Dr. Bundy's home
included a refurnished reception room, dispensary,
and combination examination-treatment room.
All aBOARD with PAST!
Getting to Know our Board Members
Many of you have heard of the Land of Oz, but how
many of you have heard of the Land of Developments?
PAST Board member Karen Anderson, pictured on the cover
of this newsletter, grew up and went to school in the “land of
developments,” aka Long Island, NY. She moved to
Binghamton in 1969 intending to return to Long Island after a
few years. Almost 40 years later, Karen is still here, and it’s a
good thing for PAST and for Binghamton that she is.
When first living in Binghamton, actually Chenango
Bridge, Karen furnished her home in Mediterranean-style
pieces, but gradually “came to love antiques” and replaced
many of the pieces in her home. While searching for
antiques, Karen began to notice and appreciate the
architecture of buildings in Binghamton. One of her favorites
is the old Broome County Public Library building on
Exchange Street where she “would love to see a business”
take up residence.
Karen joined the PAST Board of Directors, and in
August 2005 began serving as Secretary. In 2008, she was
named Second Vice President. Along with this responsibility,
for several years now Karen and her PAST cohort Rick
Pescatore have been Co-Chairs of the Salvage Committee. In
fact, during the past two very cold winters, Karen could be
found most Sundays selling salvage at the Showplace in the
Binghamton Plaza. Actually, PAST’s salvage business has
grown so much that it has now moved to a new location. (See
page 1.)
According to Karen, the Salvage Committee has had
some interesting items to sell over the years not the least of
which were green, blue, and pink toilets. Karen says, “We
still have the pink toilet and a matching pink sink if anyone is
interested.” (She’ll make you a good deal). Besides
gathering and selling salvage, Karen learned how buyers use
these relics from the past. Sometimes, the use is traditional:
restoring houses and/or replacing doors and windows. But
other buyers bought salvage for unusual projects: “to make
cold frames to start plants, to build greenhouses, to make
potting tables.” A special part of the fun of salvage, Karen
tells us, is being allowed to go into Binghamton houses
scheduled to be demolished under the Restore New York
Grant, “and salvage any architectural pieces: porch columns,
doors, windows, trim, fireplace mantels, cabinets, sinks,
spindles, banisters, registers.” You name it: Karen has
salvaged it!!
Besides being an avid fan of salvage and
preservation, Karen is also an avid Yankee fan and Bearcats
basketball fan. When she isn’t salvaging or rooting for her
teams, Karen volunteers at the Samaritan House, serves on
the Steering Committee of the United Way “Day of Caring,”
and works for Rail Trail Cleanup.
All in all, Karen’s departure from the “land of
developments” has developed into many positive factors for
PAST. We’re especially happy that she followed the yellow
brick road (more or less) which led her to Binghamton, and,
in the process, is making many of Binghamton’s as well as
her dreams come true.
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Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going
Year in Review
by Jane DeHawkhurst
To say that 2008 was a busy and exciting year is putting it
mildly. To summarize the year won't be easy, but PAST
members will be proud of our accomplishments...So let's
take a look at our progress at PAST.
PROGRAMS
A PRO-ACTIVE COURSE OF ACTION
Here are our successful events:
A Preservation Priorities list was created to help PAST
focus on the most endangered buildings. Of the fourteen
structures on the list, four have been saved!
Washingtonian Hall is now in private hands and is being
lovingly restored.
The “Castle” has been rededicated for re-use by SUNY
Upstate Medical University and will be part of our
region’s excellent health care system.
The Red Robin Diner has new owners and is a great
place to eat once again.
And the lovely Charles F. Johnson house in Johnson
City has found adaptive re-use as an NBT Bank branch.
One building was sadly lost – the Ross Building. Out of the
rubble, however, we are making progress with the City of
Binghamton to work more closely on salvage and recycling,
sustainable practices and the importance of historic
preservation in the success of our city. Binghamton now has
a Sustainable Development Planner, is hiring an Historic
Preservation Planner, is working to update design guidelines
with CAUD (Commission on Architectural and Urban
Design) and is supporting the National Trust's Main Street
program, now officially known as Binghamton Downtown,
Inc. PAST is strongly represented on the Design
Committee of the Main Street program and CAUD.
With the closing of area churches of all denominations, the
formation of a Sacred Sites Committee was imperative.
The committee enthusiastically went to work to see what
could be done to save religious buildings or find suitable
adaptive re-use for these structures. Working cooperatively
with the Broome County Historical Society, we will be
documenting the sites and their histories. Roger Luther,
PAST vice-president, will photograph interiors and
exteriors. PAST was also successful in receiving a Preserve
NY grant which will help with consultant fees to officially
survey endangered historical sites and file for Historical
Register status.
New committees were also formed to help attain the
strategic goals set by PAST. The Budget Committee is
advising on how to get the most impact with our limited
budget. A Fundraising Committee is being formed to help
research and write more grant proposals for new projects.
PAST is still in need of a Volunteer Coordinator to utilize
the talent within our organization. Anyone who wishes to
share their time and talent in any of these efforts is
encouraged to call Executive Director, Jane DeHawkhurst.
The Program Committee was the busiest for our volunteers
again this year, closely followed by the Salvage Committee.
First Friday Trolley Tours – Joan Sprague, tour guide
and organizer is responsible for this popular community
event. She even had many local dignitaries and
celebrities take the historical ride around town. She is
recruiting new tour guides to expand the program.
Historical Preservation Awards Ceremony was a
smash. Taking place at the Kilmer Building, it drew the
largest crowd ever!
Historic House Tour – A beautiful, sunny day brought
out crowds to enjoy the exquisite homes we are so proud
to recognize in Binghamton.
Garden Tour – Another warm day encouraged large
attendance at the tour of lovely private gardens in
Endicott and Endwell.
Stained-Glass Window Program – Interesting and
informative speakers shared stories of war, artisans and
the creative spirit. Another sunny day highlighted the
beautiful windows – especially the magnificent George
F. Johnson window and its special story.
National Preservation Month was celebrated with an
expansive display at the Broome County Public Library.
Hundreds of people visited to learn about local
preservation issues.
Historic Bridge Pedal – Touring the Susquehanna
Heritage Area, families could bike and learn about
history at the same time. What a great teachable
moment!
The 150th Anniversary and Castle Rededication – The
NYS Inebriate Asylum was ceremoniously rededicated
with a Masonic blessing of a new cornerstone. Once
again, perfect weather brought out a huge crowd from
the local community, PAST, politicians from all levels of
government, mental health professionals, SUNY Upstate
Medical University representatives and medical students.
Deposit Walking Tour – To say we were blessed this
year with the best weather is an understatement. What a
day to stroll through charming Deposit, socialize, learn,
enjoy history and architectural beauty!
Spirits of Binghamton's Past – A new program for
Halloween is focused on the family. Both fun and
educational, it appeals to people of all ages.
Bauhaus/Modernist Architecture – We are fortunate to
have many historical architectural styles of exceptional
quality in Broome County. This lecture was designed by
our Board Member and BCC professor, Marcia
Blackburn.
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Director’s Corner, continued
Roberson Museum Home for the Holidays – Our
PAST Christmas Tree and display will be expanded this
year. Our involvement will also include a Luncheon
Lecture about “Millionaire's Row” at the confluence of
the rivers. A special Trolley Tour of the Abel Bennett
Tract will also bring attention to PAST's effort to make
the community aware and proud of our historic housing
stock in Binghamton.
Salvage Showroom Open House – Dedicated to the
memory of Don McBride, PAST now has an official
showroom at 21 N. Depot St. Thanks to the generosity of
Ari Meisel, who is providing us such beautiful space, and
the continued hard work and perseverance of Karen
Anderson and Rick Pescatore, our salvage program can
be expanded.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
PAST is making its presence known loud and clear. We have
taken every opportunity to bring awareness of the
Preservation Movement to local citizens through the
following display booths and speaking engagements:
The Home Show at the Broome County Arena,
sponsored by the Home Builders and Remodelers
Association of the Southern Tier
The Million Dollar Antique Show at BU Events Center
sponsored by the Sertoma Club.
Earthfest 2008 at Roberson Museum, featuring
“Preservation is Green” theme
National Preservation Month display at the Broome
County Library
Phelps Mansion auditorium display on historic
preservation
Binghamton Blowout Block Party sponsored by BU's
Catalysts for Intellectual Capital 2020
Roberson's Holiday Event and Christmas Tree Forest
First Friday Historic Trolley Tours
A Lyceum class was presented by Jim Bryden and Jane
De Hawkhurst
Preservation was the topic at a NYS Retired Teachers
luncheon in May and the NYSUT Conference in Owego.
MEDIA COVERAGE
PAST was seen on local news throughout the year, and
“Treasure's of the Tier” was a monthly feature by Roger
Luther in the Press & Sun-Bulletin. PAST also had full page
Guest Viewpoint articles on the Ross Building and on the
energy savings of preservation, by Jane De Hawkhurst. “Eye
Spy” was resurrected and now appears weekly in the Living
Section of the Sunday Press. There have also been a number
of letters to the editor on the Ross Building demolition and
the Alms House.
LETTERS OF SUPPORT
PAST advocated on behalf of preservation issues by
writing letters of support for the following:
Binghamton YWCA restoration grant
Your Home Public Library restoration, Johnson
City
Johnson Monument relocation in Johnson City
Pagoda Pumphouse relocation, Johnson City
Waverly's Village Hall restoration proposal
Newark Valley Municipal Building restoration
Letter to Governor Patterson supporting historic
tax credits
Letters to Senators Lupardo and Libous for
Preserve NY grant funding
Rivercrest community in Vestal's nomination to
the Historic Register
To Binghamton City Council in support of a
grant to write Design Guidelines for use by the
Commission on Architecture and Urban Design
and Binghamton Downtown, Inc. Design group
NETWORKING AND PARTNERING
PAST Board Members and the Executive Director have
worked diligently at relationship building with non- profit
agencies, government officials on city, county and state
levels, as well as planning boards and economic
development agencies in order to advocate for
preservation issues. During the year, PAST worked with
the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce,
Binghamton Downtown, Inc., the Susquehanna Heritage
Area, Broome County Historical Society, First Ward
Action Council, Unshackle Upstate NY, Southern Tier
Home Builders and Remodelers Association, Binghamton
University and Broome Community College.
Our executive director met with colleagues at the NYS
Preservation League, NYSCA, and SHPO at conferences.
Jane also attended workshops and seminars on “Cluster
Development and Zoning,” “Communicating Your
Organization's Message,” “Board Responsibilities and
Duties,” and the NYS Attorney General's “Charities
Symposium for Non-Profits” to help PAST comply with
state rules and regulations.
GRANTS
Grant proposals were written, submitted and approved by
New York State Council on the Arts for PAST's operating
budget and a Preserve NY Grant for our Sacred Sites
Survey.
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Director’s Corner, continued
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Jane and a few PAST Board Members worked with a BU
School of Management team to implement our strategic plan,
appeal to students and families, and gain advice on achieving
our goals with a small staff. The end project was judged for
excellence and Manley's Mighty Mart presented PAST with
$2,000 to start implementing the strategic plan goals.
OFFICE STAFF
Pennie Kerber was indispensible in helping the office to run
smoothly and PAST's bills to be paid on time. A BU Intern,
Daron Blake, was also extremely efficient in organizing and
cataloging our Research Library, preservation books and
historical information. Remember our Library is open to
PAST members for preservation research needs.
Looking back, it was a very productive year and all members
of PAST should feel a measure of satisfaction that PAST is
working to attract younger student and family memberships
and to get families interested and active in preserving our
outstanding architectural inheritance. We are committed to
continue implementing our strategic plan goals and
expanding the influence of PAST in the community. Thank
you for supporting PAST. Together we will help PAST
grow as a respected, professional, pro-active and
powerful voice for “Preserving Our Past...For Our
Future.”
Jane DeHawkhurst
Executive Director
Good News!
PAST has received word that our grant request has
been approved for hiring a consultant to help with the
Sacred Sites Survey. This project will be funded by
Preserve New York, a grant program of the
Preservation
League of New York State and
the New York
State Council on the Arts.
President’s Message
It started with Jack Watkins and the April 2002
Bungalow Tour. Months before, I saw a small notice
about the tour in the newspaper and called the included
phone number for more information. It was Jack’s phone
number and I talked to him about my own Craftsman
bungalow on Chestnut Street. He came to my house and
we talked for a long time about houses, preservation,
Binghamton, and much more. He also asked if I would
be interested in opening my house for a possible new
PAST tour of the West Side of Binghamton that was still
in the early planning stages. I said yes to the house tour
and that began my association with PAST. Following
shortly were membership, the house tour committee, the
Board of Directors and, July 1st, my tenure as Board
President.
The time has flown and my commitment to PAST and
my enjoyment of all its programs and projects has
continued to grow. In this, my first “President’s
Message,” I want to thank all of you—members, staff,
donors, and friends of PAST—for the honor of being
elected as your President for the 2008-2009 year. I look
forward to working for and with all of you in the next
year. I especially wish to thank all those who have come
before me as President and served as wonderful
examples of commitment and passion for the mission of
PAST.
One of the contributions I have made since I joined the
board was the addition of electronic mailing lists as the
standard means of communication for both board and
general members. PASTNY@Yahoo!Groups now has
170 subscribed members and has been a very useful
means of communication and information sharing. It
saves us resources by reducing postage, paper, and staff
and volunteer time. It also allows for very quick
dissemination of important news on local and national
preservation issues. As of today, I’m continuing my
duties as “list owner.” So, if you have any changes or
corrections on your subscription or want to be added,
you can still email me at: [email protected].
In addition, I urge you to take advantage of our website
at www.PASTNY.org and look for upgrades that we
hope will make joining PAST and attending events
quicker and easier in the near future.
PAST is a wonderful organization with a crucial mission
in the Southern Tier. I hope you take full advantage of
your membership and attend some of the exciting
programs coming up this fall. Also, please remember
that October is the month to renew your membership and
consider inviting a friend to join along with you.
Jo Malin, President 08-09
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Business Members
UOF
UPST ATE OFFICE FURNITURE
Frank & Lynn Whitney
1 Lewis St., Binghamton
607-727-0437
th
Wayne Kerber
718 Azon Road, Johnson City
607-722-9234
More finds in the Salvage Showroom!
150 Anniversary
and Rededication
of the Castle.
Read about it at
nysAsylum.com
Landmark is a quarterly publication of PAST,
the PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTHERN TIER
Board of Directors:
Jo Malin, President
st
Roger Luther, 1 Vice President
Bruce Nelson
Karen Anderson, 2nd Vice President Rick Pescatore
Debbie Leonard, Secretary
Hermione Pickett
Bill Denman, Treasurer
Mary Sacco
Marcia Blackburn
Jeffrey Smith
Katherine Buckley
Jerry Willard
Martha Colgan
Mike Wold
Email: [email protected] - Website: www.pastny.org
This publication is made possible with public funds from the
New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.
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