The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is excited to announce the generous $50,000 contribution from The Carruth Foundation, a Texas-based organization, to help underwrite the rehabilitation of 65 Phila Street, the long-neglected Alexander A. Patterson House. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation purchased the 1851 Italianate residence on May 21, 2021 to preserve the building that had been on the Foundation’s endangered list since its inception in 1998.
“The Carruth Foundation does not normally make donations to out-of-state projects. But, we believe the Phila Street rehabilitation is very important to maintaining the history and integrity of Saratoga Springs and all it represents,” said Zane and Brady Carruth. The Carruths, who live in Texas, started coming to Saratoga Springs because of the Saratoga Race Course. They purchased a historic residence in the city because they fell in love with its history and architecture.
“We are most grateful for this unexpected gift that will help us achieve one of our long-term strategic goals to partake in a rehabilitation of an endangered building,” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director. “With overwhelming generosity from the Carruth Foundation, individuals, and businesses, thus far we have raised nearly $150,000 in donations and grants, which is half of our $300,000 goal,” Samantha continued.
Alexander A. Patterson built the house at 65 Phila Street in 1851. He was an Irish immigrant whose listed professions included builder, architect, and later owner of the Patterson Mineral Spring Pavilion located at 22, 24, and 26 Phila Street. The Patterson family remained in the home for 90 years. Later, the Congregation Bais Moishe, Inc. in Brooklyn owned 65 Phila Street for more than 30 years, using it as a summer residence. It is believed that at one time there was a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, located on the property. The house is important because of its associations with early development of the city, spring waters, and the Jewish community.
The Foundation will remove the challenges associated with the building – environmental remediation, structural stabilization – and complete an exterior restoration so that it can be sold to a future owner who will complete the interior and serve as a good steward of the home. Any potential proceeds raised from the sale of the property will be reinvested a future preservation project that will benefit the community.
On February 16, Samantha and project architect Matt Hurff presented their application for the extensive exterior restoration, which includes restoring the clapboard siding, windows, doors, roof, decorative details, and the porch, using the original columns and balustrades that were found inside the house, to the Design Review Commission (DRC). At the meeting, Chair of the DRC, Tamie Ehinger said, “We are all well aware of this particular structure and its history and its significance of the changes that you are proposing and I think that not only the Design Review Commission, but the entire city applauds your efforts in restoring this very important building.” The DRC granted unanimous approval for the proposed work.
“It is exciting for the Foundation to go through the process of seeking approvals from the city. Not only does the rehabilitation at 65 Phila Street show our mission in action, but it allows us to be a better resource for historic property owners in the future by experiencing the process ourselves,” said Adam Favro, President of the Foundation.
Prior to seeking DRC approval, the Revive 65 Committee completed an evaluation of the existing conditions of the building, including an environmental assessment and a window survey. Members of the Revive 65 Committee include: Steve Dodds, an architect with Phinney Design Group; Adam Favro, President of the Foundation who is undertaking a rehabilitation of his historic residence; Peter Goutos, president of environmental remediation company CASmith; James Gold, retired Director of Historic Sites for New York State; Matt Hurff, architect and owner of Frost Hurff Architects; Vincent LaTerra, Project Manager at Bonacio Construction; and Samantha Bosshart. “We are thankful for those who thus far have donated in-kind services to benefit the project: Frost Hurff Architects, CASmith, Thompson & Fleming Land Surveyors, and The LA Group,” said Bosshart.
This project will make the building safe for future owners; remove blight to the neighborhood; prevent the property from being a further drain on the city’s resources; and once complete increase property tax revenue to the city, providing important support for police, fire, schools, and infrastructure improvements.
Support the Foundation’s efforts to Revive 65 by making a donation or becoming a member. In addition to preserving this important historic resource of the community, the Foundation plans to document the process and have the project be the source of multiple educational programs. Visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call (518) 587-5030 for more information or to join and follow the Foundation on social media and join their email list to get regular progress updates.