The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica
Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future

The Leading Voice

The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica was chartered by the State of New York on October 25, 1974, as a nonprofit educational corporation to preserve historic buildings and districts in the Greater Utica Area. Since its inception, Landmarks has been the leading voice for the preservation and restoration of historic, irreplaceable buildings, districts and sites in the Greater Utica Area.

We value the architectural richness of these structures, the special character they give to our neighborhoods and communities, and the contributions they make to our area’s economy, culture and unique sense of place. Our members represent all ages, professions and walks of life – but come together to share a common enthusiasm for historic buildings, to raise public awareness of their importance, and to advocate their protection and reuse in a variety of ways.

Landmarks is known and respected for its long-term dedication and substantial contributions to the preservation of historic architecture, proven expertise in preservation of historic properties and dedication to improving quality of life, economic development and heritage tourism. We have accomplished this through public education and events, an extensive network of partners and hands-on preservation of important historic structures.

Specific examples of this success include projects such as the rejuvenation and transformation of Union Station into a regional transportation and municipal center; saving 3 Steuben Park and fighting to maintain the architectural integrity of the Rutger-Steuben Historic District; the professional restoration of the Swan Fountain on the Parkway; the 2004 reopening of the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center’s “Old Main” building as the Records Archive for the New York State Office of Mental Health; the current revitalization that is happening in the 200 block of Bleecker Street in Utica; and, of course, since 2008, our main focus has been the on-going work at Rutger Park.

Action, Activity, Communication

The Landmarks Society's on-going activities include:

• The Rutger Park Restoration Project
  In 2008, Landmarks became the owners of the mansions at Number 1 and Number 3 Rutger Park. We are currently in the second phase of the Rutger Park Restoration Project. Get the latest on our blog site.

  
  The elegant mansions of the Rutger-Steuben Park National Historic District reflect the prosperity of Utica between the years of 1830 and 1890. The names of the original occupants are a roster of the important merchants and industrialists of a young America, and Rutger Street as a whole still contains numerous examples of late nineteenth century villas executed in the Italianate style. It is one of the largest groupings of these structures in the Northeast, and its significance earned it a place on the National Register in 1973.

  The centerpiece of the neighborhood are the five original mansions of Rutger Park which, until the 1994 demolition of Number 2, offered a nearly complete ensemble of major nineteenth century American domestic architecture styles. The elegant mansions not only reflect the stature of their early owners, but also the general prosperity of Utica before 1900. During that period, the opening of the Erie and Chenango Canals, coupled with the establishment of the textile industry in Utica and along the Oriskany and Sauquoit Creek, the building of railroads and continuing agricultural production (including the export of cheddar cheese and hops) brought major economic growth to Central New York, from which Utica especially benefited.

  In 2008, Landmarks became the owners of the mansions at Number 1 and Number 3 Rutger Park and their associated estate grounds, including the lot where Number 2 stood from 1850 - 1994. The Philip Hooker designed 3 Rutger Park (c.1830), often referred to as the Miller-Conkling-Kernan house, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant structures in the Northeast. Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this prime example of the Greek Revival style was home to many notable persons including political boss Roscoe Conkling. The A.J. Davis designed 1 Rutger Park (c.1854) was once the residence of both Samuel Remington and John C. Devereux. The architectural plans for this home are in the archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

  In order to preserve Rutger Park for future generations to appreciate and experience, Landmarks has undertaken the Rutger Park Restoration Project to complete the long-range, multi-million dollar, professional historic preservation of both mansions. The ultimate goal of the project is to have two restored and staffed house museums with estate gardens that are open to the public year-round. Currently, the homes are open to the public by advance arrangement, or twice a year for guided “hardhat tours” at our signature annual events, Picnic in the Park and History Comes Alive at Rutger Park.

• Organizes and Supports Efforts to Save Endangered Buildings
  We identify and publish an annual list of architecturally and/or historically significant local buildings in danger of being lost through deterioration or neglect. The list “Buildings Worth Saving” is published in our newsletter, on our website and is distributed to the media. Our attempts to save these properties involve participating in their cleanup, working with municipalities in their stabilization, assisting with fundraising and grants, and encouraging and advising owners toward their preservation and restoration.

• Advocates for Preservation
  Landmarks is an active participant in Local, State and Federal efforts to make preservation a national priority through advocacy, outreach and education. Our efforts include offering public testimony, informing and mobilizing our members to take individual action, and providing briefing books on legislation such as Historic Tax Credits, Land Banks and available funding programs.

• Holds Informative Meetings
  We offer educational lectures, events and programs about historically significant buildings and districts, and preservation efforts in and beyond Greater Utica.

• Assists Boards and Commissions
  We provide education, training and project assistance to our local Scenic & Historic District Commission and to City and County Planning, Parks and Economic Development departments. We also evaluate and comment on development proposals for their impact on historic resources.

• Informs and Educates
  We offer educational lectures, events and programs about historically significant buildings, districts and preservation efforts in and beyond Greater Utica. Our Speaker's Bureau makes presentations to community and school groups. Since 1997, we have held free, summer-long walking lectures and bus tours as part of our popular Monday Night Walks & Talks series. Our website, blog and newsletter give updates on preservation trends, issues and topics.

• Conducts Trips
  We sponsor an annual educational bus tour to historic sites around Central New York and the Northeast.

• Publishes a Newsletter and Produces and Annual Commemorative Ornament
  The Landmarks Preservationist is published and mailed to members several times a year, keeping them up-to-date on the Society’s activities and related subjects. The Annual Commemorative ornament draws attention to our most significant Landmarks. Proceeds help to support the work of the Landmarks Society.

• Produces Other Informative Literature
  Landmarks sponsors a variety of publications on historic preservation and appreciation, including brochures for self-guided tours of neighborhoods in Utica, Clinton, New Hartford and Barneveld; Utica’s Forest Hill Cemetery; Utica’s Outdoor Sculpture; a history of the “Old Main” building; and a map depicting hundreds of noteworthy sites across the area. Proceeds help to support the work of the Landmarks Society.

• Aids Historic Preservation Efforts
  We provide technical and grant assistance to individuals and groups for the rehabilitation and restoration of historic buildings. We can also assist with research and documentation of local historic properties; and with the preparation of local, state, and federal landmark and district nominations. We routinely give unbiased advice on the process of selecting a contractor or other professional to work on a heritage building or site.

• Recognizes Preservation Successes
  We acknowledge the preservation and restoration efforts of individuals, businesses and organizations through an annual awards program.

• Holds an Annual Meeting and Networking Event
  We hold an annual membership dinner and Trustee election meeting each fall, featuring a keynote speaker prominent in the field of historic preservation. The meeting is open to the public. Proceeds help to support the work of the Landmarks Society.

• Holds and Manages Preservation Easements
  Preservation easements are conservation easements, or a private legal right given by the owner of a property to Landmarks for the purpose of protecting a structure or site with historic, architectural, or archaeological significance in perpetuity. Typically, a preservation easement protects against changes to a property that would be inconsistent with preservation (such as demolition of historic buildings, inappropriate alterations, or subdivision of land) while sometimes providing a federal tax incentive to the owner for donating the easement.

Landmarks’ offices are at 1124 State Street, Utica, New York 13502 // 315-732-7376 // info@uticalandmarks.org