Village of Naples awarded a Preserve New York Grant

Preserve New York Grant

This grant will fund a Cultural Resource Survey leading to four National Register of Historic Places nominations, three districts and one individual property – Fairview Cemetery

NAPLES, NY, 10/08/20 — The Village of Naples is one of this year’s Preserve New York (PNY) grantees. Their grant of $18,150 will fund a Cultural Resource Survey of the Village of Naples and its environs. The Preservation League of NYS and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are thrilled to help fund this important work.

The Village of Naples was initially settled in the early 1790s, with few original buildings surviving. In the early 1800s development moved to the current Naples Creek location allowing water-powered mill industry to develop, while the mid-1800s saw Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire-style houses, Greek and Gothic Revival churches, and Italianate-style business structures. This survey will build upon a 2018 Preserve New York-funded reconnaissance-level survey and will lead to four National Register Historic District nominations, three districts, plus Fairview Cemetery, as shown on the accompanying image. An $18,150 Preserve New York grant will enable the Village of Naples to hire the Landmark Society of Western New York to complete the nominations.

National Register designation is good for home and business owners giving them access to the New York State Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit program. A historic district can also be an excellent marketing tool and can help build neighborhood pride. According to Naples Mayor Brian Schenk, “the nomination to and establishment of these districts on the National Register is an integral part of implementing the long-term strategic plan goals for the Village of Naples. Recognition of these districts will assist in accomplishing these goals by raising awareness of their cultural and economic importance within the community, and by enabling potential tax credits and grant funding. Established National Register districts will strengthen the tourism base by maintaining local authenticity while helping to ensure that proper planning, zoning, and resource development standards are adhered to in order to maintain an inviting atmosphere and quality experience for both visitors and residents.”

At its 2020 meeting, the Preserve New York grant panel selected 19 applicants in 15 counties to receive support totaling $193,390. Many of these grants will lead to historic district designation or expansion, allowing property owners to take advantage of the New York State and Federal Historic Tax Credits. With the announcement of the 2020 awards, support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 totals more than $3 million to 457 projects statewide.

The Preserve New York grant program is a partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League, made possible with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. PNY enables the Preservation League to support projects in all of New York’s 62 counties.

Since 1993, the Preserve New York grant program has been providing funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. The historic structure reports, building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys that are funded through this program can have profound impacts on the sites they are studying.

2020 PNY Grant Recipients:

Albany County: Albany County Historical Association – $10,000; Historic Albany Foundation – $15,000 | Broome County: City of Binghamton Department of Planning, Housing & Community Development – $8,000 | Cayuga County: Howland Stone Store Museum – $10,000 | Delaware County: Town of Tompkins – $4,000; Franklin Stock Company at Chapel Hall d/b/a Franklin Stage Co. – $ 5,200 | Dutchess County: Scenic Hudson, Inc. – $15,000 | Kings County: Prospect Lefferts Gardens Heritage Council, Inc. – $8,800| Livingston County: Village of Nunda – $10,000; Village of Avon – $13,440.00 | Monroe County: South East Area Coalition – $10,000; Greece Historical Society – $15,000 | Ontario County: Village of Naples – $18,150| Queens County: Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation – $10,000 | Rensselaer County: Troy Public Library – $15,000 | Richmond County: Staten Island Historical Society d/b/a Historic Richmond Town – $3,200 | Sullivan County: Sullivan County Land Bank Corporation – $5,000 | Ulster County: Town of Marlborough – $10,000 | Washington County: Village of Greenwich – $7,600

“Architecture and design are vital art forms that greatly impact the character and health of communities across the state,” said Mara Manus, Executive Director of the New York State Council on the Arts. “NYSCA is proud to partner with Preservation League of New York State to provide organizations and municipalities across the state with financial support to advance their innovative preservation initiatives.”

“Our longtime partnership with NYSCA has enabled us to support preservation initiatives in all of New York’s 62 counties,” said Erin Tobin, Vice President for Policy and Preservation and the Preservation League. “This year’s group of Preserve New York grant recipients continues the successful track record of this program of enabling preservation to thrive in every corner of the state.”

About the Preservation League of New York State

Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state.

Connect with us at preservenys.org, facebook.com/preservenys, twitter.com/preservenys, and instagram.com/preservenys.