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Historic Ithaca's October was full of fun and educational community events as well as continued advocacy efforts to protect Collegetown's historic commercial buildings. Read on for a wrap-up of recent events and updates on local and national advocacy news. This month, we're excited to introduce two new staff members, who will continue Historic Ithaca's commitment to educating and advocating for the preservation of Tompkins County's built environment.
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October in the
Ithaca City Cemetery
During the month of October, more than 350 people visited the historic Ithaca City Cemetery for our October events. Local residents, students, and visitors of all ages attended our popular tours or participated in our 4th Annual Ithaca City Cemetery Sprint. Please extend congratulations to
Gretchen Gilbert, who won the Cemetery Sprint's women's timed run, and Reade Otto-Moudry for the men's division.
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Thank you very much to all of our volunteers who helped us with this fun race, including many community members and students from Ithaca College along with the Cornell Naval ROTC who helped rake leaves and prepare the cemetery for the race.
Thank you to our sponsors!
And thank you to those who donated prizes!
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Flashlight Tours of Ithaca's Historic Alleys and Corners
A cast of ghostly characters haunted the two historic flashlight tours held during Ithaca's Wizarding Weekend, October 27 and 28, 2017. As part of its
The History Center in Tompkins County
to explore haunted alleys and corners around downtown Ithaca. More than 75 attendees enjoyed listening to monologues by Ithaca socialite Belle Cowdrey, silent film star Pearl White, "Ithaca's Missionary" Elizabeth Beebe, Civil War nurse Sarah "Aunt Becky" Palmer Young, and notorious villain Edward Rulloff. Follow the link for more information about
Ithaca Heritage tours
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New Staff Members Join Historic Ithaca Team
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Susan Herlands Holland
Executive Director |
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Patricia "Pat" Longoria
Events and Community Engagement Coordinator |
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Historic Ithaca Board President Julee Johnson announced in late October the appointment of
Susan Herlands
Holland
as the organization's new executive director. "Susan has a wealth of experience," Johnson noted, "and this is an exciting time for her to build on our community engagement programs, materials reuse, job readiness and training, heritage tourism, and advocacy efforts." Holland, a Cornell graduate who has led the Historic Albany Foundation for 12 years, will start work on November 20, 2017.
Also joining the staff is Pat Longoria as Events and Community Engagement Coordinator. In addition to helping to keep Historic Ithaca's popular events going strong, Pat will partner with The History Center in Tompkins County to promote
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Significant Elements November Update
10% off Lighting & 20% off Furniture
Free Friday is November 17
New in the Store
Vintage 1950s Saturn-style pendants, modern custom stained glass, sweet mahogany mirrored vanity and pink Deco lamps, sets of French windows and screens . . .
. . . propane stove and gas log set, clawfoot tub in excellent condition, antique metal working tools, sturdy cabinet with cast brass hardware . . .
. . . and salvage from an 1880s convent, including recessed oak wall panels and oak stair parts, Southern yellow pine doors, casing, baseboard and wainscoting, door and cabinet hardware, and much more!
Like us on
Facebook to see new arrivals throughout the week.
Decluttering, downsizing, or moving?
Don't throw it away! Donate unwanted furniture, house parts, tools, and building materials to Significant Elements. Pick-up service available.
Call 607-277-3450 or
email Sara
for more information.
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Furniture and Lamp Repair Services
Do you have wobbly chairs, stuck drawers, or chairs in need of new cane seats? Is it finally time to re-wire that vintage lamp you love? We can do it for you!
Stop in or call 607-277-3450 to get more information about our furniture repair services.
Participants in our Work Preserve job training program work side-by-side with our Traditional Skills Educator to bring new life to your broken or damaged furniture.
Repairs start at $37.50/hour. Seat weaving services include: cane (hand woven and cane webbing), fiber rush, splint, porch weave, and Shaker tape.
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"Significant Elements' craftsmanship
is impressive! With its beautifully re-caned seat, an heirloom child's rocker is set for another 100 years."
--Bill Brauninger, customer
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The Cherry Picks Sustainably at Significant Elements
The Cherry Artspace, Ithaca's newest performing arts venue, shopped locally and sustainably to outfit its new multidisciplinary artspace. Sam Buggeln, the Cherry's artistic director, chose fixtures from Significant Elements for the theatre's retro-chic restroom.
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| The Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry Street, Ithaca |
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The Cherry, located at 102 Cherry Street in Ithaca's West End, marked its grand opening on September 13, 2017 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and its first performances were staged soon after.
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Jacksonville Church for Sale
The former Jacksonville Methodist Episcopal Church is
for sale by the Town of Ulysses! The former church was built in 1827, enlarged in 1855, and moved to its current location in 1898.
Historic Ithaca worked with the New York State Historic Preservation office and the Town of Ulysses to provide research and photographs to make certain the property is determined eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
The building is now for sale with deed covenants in place to protect its historic features.
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Chacona Block & Larkin Building:
Local Landmark Designation Update
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| Chacona Block |
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Chacona Block
411-415 College Ave., Ithaca
Local Landmark Designation
At the Ithaca Common Council meeting on Wednesday, November 1st, the city's ten alderpersons reached a 5-5 tie with Mayor Svante Myrick breaking the tie by voting against designating the Chacona Block at 411-415 College Avenue
in Collegetown.
Historic Ithaca is disappointed in this outcome and encourages you to please read our statement on our website:
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| Larkin Building |
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Larkin Building
403 College Ave., Ithaca
Local Landmark Designation
Collegetown's Larkin Building was built in 1913 and housed one of the original grocery stores in the neighborhood. After the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Council (ILPC) recommended that the Larkin Building be designated a local historic landmark, the Ithaca Common Council voted on and approved the designation at its meeting in October.
The Larkin Building is now the City of Ithaca's 25th individual local landmark.
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ADVOCACY ALERT!
Help Save the Historic Tax Credit!
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| Argos Inn |
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House Budget Proposal to Axe Historic Tax Credit
The House Ways and Means Committee has eliminated the Federal Historic Tax Credit in its House tax reform bill.
We urge you to contact Congressman Tom Reed to let him know that you support the
Historic Tax Credit Program.
This program encourages private investment in the built environment, creates jobs, and benefits local communities across the nation by encouraging the rehabilitation of buildings. As the Preservation League of New York State notes, "In New York State between 2002-2016, Federal Historic Tax Credits have led to over $4 billion in private investment, generated almost $1 billion in local, state and federal taxes, and created over 52,000 jobs."
In Ithaca, owner Sunit "Lex" Chutintaranond rehabilitated a downtown Commons building using the state and federal historic tax credit programs to create Mia's Restaurant, a banquet room, office space, and rental apartments. This project helped revitalize an anchor building, formerly the Plantations Building, at 130-132 The Commons.
Most recently, Avi Smith used the Federal Historic Tax Credit to reclaim the neglected Cowdrey mansion and transform the site into the Argos Inn. The project won the Preservation League of New York State's Excellence in Preservation Award in May 2017. "The building has been given new life as a boutique hotel and gathering space," noted the Preservation League, praising the effort for creating living-wage jobs for local artisans.
Click this link from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to contact lawmakers and act now:
Learn more about the Historic Tax Credit program here:
Contact information:
Congressman Tom Reed
401 E. State St., Suite 410
Ithaca, NY 14850
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As always, stay up-to-date on advocacy opportunities, information and public meetings of note on Historic Ithaca's Advocacy News webpage.
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Give | Donate | Volunteer
Be a Friend, Tell a Friend.
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Your gift will support programs, education, and advocacy that will shape our county's future. Working together, residents and visitors alike can share our appreciation for the built environment and respect the history that it represents.
Donate books to our library | Donate old furniture and house parts to Significant Elements. |
Contact Sara Johnson
to volunteer.
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Historic Ithaca's programs are made possible by
the New York State Council on the Arts with
the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and
the New York State Legislature
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