Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation
Preservation Matters
Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director
January 18, 2013
A YEAR IN REVIEW
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation had a great kick-off to its educational programming for the new year. Last week’s presentation at the Annual Meeting by local author Joseph Cutshall-King on Piping Rock Casino was standing room only at the Dee Sarno Theater at the Saratoga Arts Center.
At the meeting I shared some of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s highlights from the past year. Afterwards I heard from many who attended that they were surprised to learn everything the Foundation does.
Especially gratifying in 2012 was the progress made on the Spirit of Life & Spencer Trask Memorial Restoration Campaign. The Foundation formalized its partnership with the City of Saratoga Springs, which to-date has dedicated a total of $50,000 dollars from the 2012 and 2013 Capital Projects Budget towards the restoration of the local landmark, a Daniel Chester French and Henry Bacon collaboration that honors Spencer Trask and his efforts to preserve Saratoga’s springs.
The volunteer steering committee for the restoration developed the requests for proposals for landscape and masonry restoration/conservation plans. Consultants will be selected and begin work in the upcoming month. The committee also secured several significant contributions from the Saratoga Foundation, the Adirondack Trust Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.
The Foundation and Saratoga Springboard, a group of professionals who volunteer to support one local non-profit organization annually, hosted an exciting new event, TRASK: Preservation Saratoga Springs Through Art, an art sale and reception to benefit the restoration effort. Over 350 people attended the event at the Canfield Casino, raising nearly $34,000 through ticket sales, art auction, and contributions, including a $10,000 gift from Linda and Michael Toohey. In total through grants, events, and pledges the Foundation has raised nearly $80,000, far exceeding the campaign goal of the first year.
Last year the Foundation, working in partnership with the City of Saratoga Springs, reviewed and updated the Historic Review Ordinance. A Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Office funded the effort to clarify, strengthen, and reflect the model ordinances of the New York State Historic Preservation Office and the Preservation League of New York. These changes were successfully adopted by the City Council in September 2012.
With the support of another CLG grant, the Foundation partnered with the City to develop historic district design guidelines with architectural illustrations to educate building owners in the local historic district on the review process of exterior changes to historic buildings. The topics addressed include: general information the Design Review process, exterior claddings, porches and decks, new construction, roofs, signage, site details and streetscape, windows and doors, and alternative energy systems. The guidelines were adopted in April by the Design Review Commission and by the City Council in June. To view the design guidelines and the historic review ordinance please visit the City of Saratoga Springs’ website www.saratoga-springs.org.
If the City is successful in obtaining another CLG grant, the Foundation will work with the City to resurvey the East Side Historic District to update the building information and photographs since the district was first listed on the National Register Historic Places in 1985. A focus of the grant will be to document accessory buildings and determine their historic significance. The updated survey will provide valuable information to the City, the Design Review Commission, and the Foundation for reviews of exterior changes.
The Foundation continued to expand is educational program offerings in 2012. With the help of our dedicated volunteer docents, the Foundation hosted 15 walking tours, including two dog-friendly tours of North Broadway, as part of its Sunday Summer Strolls program. More than 375 residents and visitors enjoyed learning about the rich history and unique architecture of Saratoga Springs. In addition to the tours, the Foundation hosts several lectures throughout the year. The Foundation has collaborated with Empire State College’s Academy for Lifelong Learning program. Four of the Foundation’s docents are conducting classes on Saratoga history this spring and the Foundation is thrilled to report that the classes are already full.
A fun lecture that took place this summer was the “History of the Saratoga Chip” presented by Alan Richer, a potato chip historian who lectured on the history and creation of the potato chip in Saratoga. He shared objects from his extensive personal collection of “Saratoga Chip” related items, a tasting of potato chips followed.
The Foundation also worked with two Skidmore College students, who conducted initial research and began program development for the Sacred Places Program highlighting the City’s historic religious sites. The results of their work became the basis of a larger course for the college. This successful collaboration has resulted in a written program and website which the Foundation will incorporate into its future Sacred Places Tours.
However, none of this would be possible without our members, our dedicated volunteers including our Board of Directors, donors – as every dollar counts, and the dedicated staff. I sincerely thank everyone who participated in our mission to preserve Saratoga Springs. It is a privilege to be part of such an amazing community.
To learn more about the Foundation and to view the complete Annual Report visit our website, www.saratogapreservation.org.
Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.