Grant Money for Landmarked Religious Structures
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The New York Landmarks Conservancy provides financial and
technical help to owners and operators of historic buildings. It is the only
organization in the nation which operates a state- wide program to preserve
historic religious properties. Through its Sacred Sites Program, the
Conservancy works with congregations of all denominations to help keep their
buildings in proper repair. Its most recent round of grants to religious
properties in New York City included an award of $8,500 to the landmarked
Woodrow United Methodist Church at 1075 Woodrow Road. Woodrow Methodist Church
was the first established Methodist Church on Staten Island and has maintained
a continuous presence on the Island since 1771. Completed in 1842, the
clapboard-sided Greek Revival temple-form church is distinguished by an
imposing portico supported by four wooden columns. The grant is for restoration
of the portico. A three-stage open bell tower and spire, added in 1876, were
recently restored. |
Woodrow United
Methodist Church |
"Historic houses of worship are some of the most important buildings in
the state," said Peg Breen, President of the non profit preservation group.
"Our grants help congregations restore and preservethese irreplaceable sacred
sites."
Landmarks Conservancy grants are often the seed money to help
congregations raise additional funds for preserving and restoring their
historic or landmark buildings. The Landmarks Conservancy's expert staff helps
congregations plan and carry out restoration and repairs, saving time and
money.
In making the awards, the Landmarks Conservancy considers many factors,
including the need for the repair or restoration work, the congregations
outreach and social programs and the financial need of the congregation. With
these latest grants, the Landmarks Conservancy has helped over 500
congregations with more than $2 million in funding since 1986.
To qualify for a grant, a building must be owned by a religious
institution and be a designated landmark. For information, contact the
Landmarks Conservancy, 141 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, or visit its
website at www.nylandmarks.org ore-mail it at nylandmarks@nylandmarks.org. To
apply for a grant from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, contact Allison
McLean at212-995-5260.
Preservation League Supports Protectors
on Land Use
at Sea View Hospital
At the meeting ofthe Preservation League of Staten Island held Monday,
September 13, 1999,the Directors adopted a resolution supporting the Protectors
of Pine Oak Woods' position on Sea View and the Farm Colony. The Northern
Parcel at Sea View of 40 to 50 acres is a unique parcel of land which because
of the serpentine barrens located on it supports rare species. The City
proposes to sell this property for senior citizens housing. The Protectors have
sued the City to stop the sale. On the west side of Brielle Avenue, the Farm
Colony consists of many older buildings.The buildings together with the older
buildings at Sea View Hospital arewithin an historic district which has been
designated by the City's Landmarks Preservation Commission. Recently one of the
buildings at the Farm Colony near a proposed ball field was demolished under an
emergency order issued by the Buildings Department without notice to the public
or the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Preservation League strongly
supports the "adaptive use" of all the buildings at Sea View Hospital and the
Farm Colony. It opposes their demolition without advance public notice. The
buildings represent Staten Island's medical and social history which must be
preserved.
In addition, at that same meeting in September the PLSI Board voted
unanimously to support the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods in its lawsuit to stop
the sale of the northern parcel at Sea View Hospital with a donation of $1,000
to the Protectors' Defense Fund.
Excerptfrom the letter to Hon. Joseph Lhota,
NYC Deputy Mayor,
September 14, 1999
Re: Sea View/Farm Colony Historic District
The members of the Preservation League Board, were, as many Staten
Islanders, deeply disturbed to read inthe newspaper that one of the landmarked
buildings at the Farm Colony site had been demolished without notice to the NYC
Landmarks Preservation Commission. We do hope, however, that this unfortunate
maneuver has given cause for action to save and reuse these sites for the good
of the community and Staten Island. When the City of New York saw fit to
designate these two sites as a NYC Historic District, an implied commitment to
save and reuse these buildings was made by the city as owner of the two sites.
We are encouraged by the call of Councilman Oddo for a "multi-agency
taskforce" to come up with recommendations for these sites. We would like to
suggest, concurrent with the formation of the task force, that an engineering
and existing conditions study be done by an outside consultant. The study
should include some cost estimates and provide an unbiased evaluation of the
structural conditions. This study could be used as a tool for making informed
decisions on the future of the remaining buildings on the sites. We hope that
the task force can bestructured to represent all interested parties and take a
creative view on possible uses of the buildings, proposing programs that would
allow for reuse by city agencies or the private sector.
Sea View Director, Thomas Matteo, has proposed formation of a non-profit
support group that would solicit funds for the preservation and adaptive reuse
of buildings on the Sea View site. The Preservation League concurs and supports
this position and is prepared to aid in formation of such an organization.
The Board of the Preservation League has adopted a resolution supporting
the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods position opposing the development of the Sea
View Northern Parcel #2 for use as senior housing, calling for the buildings at
Farm Colony to be used for this purpose. The Preservation League would like to
be a part of the effort to save and study these historic sites. Please keep us
informed and include PLSI in the task force. We will be pleased to participate.
Sincerely,
Channell Graham,
President PLSI
One Room at a Time
by Michelle Schluter
On a bright clear weekend in September, we had a garage sale in
thebackyard of our old home. To this garage sale came other old home owners,all
looking for that solid door to replace the hollow door that the previous owners
put in or a period light fixture for thedownstairs bathroom to replace the one
from the 70's. All of these old home owners had a story or a "how did" to ask
or a "how to" totell. One woman exclaimed as she toured our half done kitchen,
"I'mwashing my dishes in my bathroom too!!", as if we were the only two people
on Earth to ever go through this. I wish we would have thought of this earlier,
but on Sunday we started getting names and numbers; at the time I wasn't real
sure why we were doing it, only that I didn't want to lose touch with my
comrades-in-arms.
The studio
in Michelle Schulter
& Richard Ford's house is on
the PLSI 1999 House
Tour. |
As we go through this restoration process, making ourway much on
our own, with help from neighbors and restoration books (that we have been
receiving as gifts for every occasion since we bought this old home), it was
nice to find these people. They are out there and they want to share, ask and
discover just like us and not-to-mention the emotional support! How did our
neighbor's get through the foundation cracks, water damage, outdated kitchen
and baths to the beautifully restored homes they have today, without ending up
in divorce court, bankruptcy or psychotherapy? Where can you go to ask others
who have been through it or are currently going through it! Our neighbor told
us soon after we moved in, "my best advice to you is live in the house for one
year before doing anything major and then take it one room at a time". |
One Room At ATime... what great advice!! Our support group for the
do-it-yourself old home restorer has been meeting at 7:30pm on the first
Tuesday of every month, since November 2nd. All are welcome, from the seasoned
restorer to the novice (that's us). Open discussion takes place in whichold
home owners are welcome to vent, ask, discuss, network & tell their
stories. It will benefit us all! For more information and directions, please
call Michelle Schluter, 718/876-6783.
A Significant Gift for the
Staten Island Endangered
Properties Fund
The Board of Directors of the Preservation League wishes to thank Bruce
Gillam for agenerous contribution of $5000. The Board discussed the
implementation of these monies at the October meeting and decided to use the
donation to advance the goals of the PLSI Endangered Properties Fund for Staten
Island.
In his letter of transmittal, Mr. Gillam requested that the gift was not
to be used forendowment, but should be designated for use where the need for
funding could make an difference. The money has been combined with the "PLSI
Gillam Fund," a previous donation (and earned interest) contributed by Mr.
Gillam's parents in the 1980's.
As a result of the donation, thePreservation League does have grant
& loan monies available that could be used for landmark nominations, legal
fees and similar circumstances that meet the "endangered" criteria. All
requests for funds go through the PLSI Board.