On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation hosted their Annual Meeting of Membership & Board of Directors and Preservation Recognition Award Ceremony at Music Hall at City Hall. Foundation members, friends, and award winners gathered to hear about the Foundation’s accomplishments over the past year and to celebrate those who completed preservation projects. During the annual meeting, Executive Director Samantha Bosshart highlighted the advocacy efforts and the changing landscape of Caroline Street, educational programs and tours, and completion of the rehabilitation of 65 Phila Street.
The award ceremony kicked off with an Exterior Rehabilitation Award for 249 Clinton Street given to Margaret and John Angelos, who did an extensive rehabilitation of their 1886 house known as “Gunning Cottage.” Jesse and Anne Ernst were recognized with an Exterior Rehabilitation Award for their work at 171 York Avenue. Though not in a historic district, they chose to remove the vinyl windows and siding and restore the siding and windows with wood.
The Foundation celebrates projects of all sizes and purposes. A Landscape Initiative Award was given to Anne and William Pape of 743 North Broadway who chose to restore the brick sidewalk along Third Street, improving the walkability of the neighborhood.
Elizabeth Israel and her husband, David Hayden, were recognized for their adaptive reuse of the carriage house at 15 Franklin Street with and Adaptive Reuse Award. Liz who accepted the award said, “We were fortunate to work with a contractor like Mark Thornquist, who embraces preservation projects, and we appreciate the support from the Preservation Foundation in securing the NYS Historic Tax Credits.”
NYS Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation and Friends of the Saratoga Spa State Park were acknowledged for the impressive restoration of the Coesa Pump House & Spring. “This renovation wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of Helene Brecker and the Friends of Spa State Park, who refused to let the Pump House & Spring go unrenovated,” said Alane Ball Chinian, Regional Director of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Many slate roofs in Saratoga Springs are reaching the end of their life cycle. Unfortunately, many building owners are choosing a less expensive composition shingle rather than slate, which has a longer life cycle. The Foundation is grateful for the Slate Roof Restoration at 39 Fifth Avenue where homeowners Julia and Charlie VanHall restored the original slate with the help of Alex Design of Design Industries. In addition, the New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Avenue, returned the slate roof to this notable building. “The State architect who worked on this project understood the true value of the lifecycle of slate,” noted Executive Director Samantha Bosshart. “We view this building as a historic artifact, so restoring it to its original appearance was essential,” added Courtney Burns, Director of Military History at the New York State Military Museum.
Last year, Alison Harwood was recognized with an Exterior Rehabilitation Award at 19 East Harrison Street, another project not located within a Historic District. She continued to lovingly restore her home and was recognized with a Front Door Initiative Award at this year’s awards with the help of Chris Bennett who made a historically appropriate front door.
Porches are an integral part of Saratoga Springs’ architecture, so each year the Foundation recognizes those who preserve them. This year, a Porch Initiative Award was given to 191 Grand Avenue. Terence and Margaret Caudell accepted the award acknowledging their initiative to return the porch based on a historic photograph. John and Michelle Haller were also recognized for their porch restoration at 73 Union Avenue. After purchasing the house in 2016, they were dedicated to restoring its original charm by reinstating the missing porch railings. They worked with Vintage Woodworks located in Texas, who crafted 141 wooden balusters, based on an original section of balustrade they found in their home.
Jenny Clifton and Nick Fazioli were recognized with an Exterior Rehabilitation Award for their work at 75 Clinton Street. Their efforts included restoring the wood fascia, replacing the roof, and restoring the original slate portions. Additionally, they removed the extensive ivy that had become embedded in the exterior brick, making the house and its details more visible.
Once featured on the Historic Homes Tour as a “Rehabilitation in Progress,” the 1874 Italianate-style home at 42 Circular Street has been beautifully returned to its former glory. Owners Thomas and Julie Furey were honored with the Exterior Rehabilitation Award. “This year, the house turns 150, and to ensure it stands strong for the next 100 years, we had to take it down to its bones,” Julie remarked. They received a New Contextual Design Award for the garage designed by S.D Atelier that was in keeping with the style of the historic residence. Julie expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people in her “village” who helped bring the project to completion – SD Atelier Architecture LLC, ACW Family Builders, and Redbud Development Inc.
Joe DeLeva and Rachel Ferluge were honored with the Exterior Rehabilitation Award for their exceptional work on revitalizing the once abandoned and neglected property at 69 Phila Street. In her remarks, Rachel expressed deep gratitude to Bob West of Old Saratoga Restorations, recognizing his invaluable personal touch throughout the project. She praised their architect, Susan “Suvi” Lomonaco, whose thoughtful design received unanimous approval from the Design Review Board (DRB) upon submission. Rachel expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation, their “North Star,” providing guidance and unwavering support for their project. She stated, ‘I don’t think any of these homes in Saratoga Springs would be what they are without the work of the Foundation.'”
The individuals, businesses, foundations, contractors, and volunteers who contributed to “Revive 65” received an Exterior Rehabilitation Award for their work on the historic 1851 property at 65 Phila Street. The nomination, submitted by architect Susan “Suvi” Lomanco of SUVI Architecture Studio—who also worked on the award-winning 69 Phila Street project—highlighted the building’s remarkable transformation. Lomanco acknowledged the potential conflict of interest of the Foundation winning one of its own awards but emphasized that the efforts in saving a building once on the verge of collapse deserved recognition. “The out-of-the-box thinking, and dedication of the Foundation and its supporters truly saved this significant property,” she wrote.
The Foundation thanks all the award winners and those in the community who invested their time and effort to preserve Saratoga Springs.