Each year in September the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation recognizes those who have preserved the architectural heritage of Saratoga Springs. Last week, award recipients were honored during the Foundation’s Annual Meeting at Music Hall at City Hall, 474 Broadway. A reception for award winners, their family, friends, architects, builders, and contractors preceded the annual meeting and ceremony. Categories for this year’s awards included Adaptive Reuse, Rehabilitation Initiative, Rehabilitation, Restoration, Landscape Initiative, New Contextual Design, Porch Restoration, and Window Initiative.
Board President Adam Favro said “The Annual Meeting and Preservation Recognition Awards is one of my favorite events because it not only highlights the achievements of the Foundation, but also provides us the opportunity to say thank you to our community for their support of historic preservation by being good stewards of their properties.”
The Foundation kicked off the awards honoring the Children’s Museum at Saratoga with an Adaptive Reuse Award for their ambitious project at the Lincoln Baths, 65 South Broadway. Executive Director Sarah Smith accepted the award with Board President Dave Martin and mentioned that they enjoyed their experience with the State Historic Preservation Office and had fun integrating the marks left from the removal of the historic baths into colorful floor coverings.
The New York Racing Association received two awards for projects at the Saratoga Race Course. NYRA received a Rehabilitation Award for Cottage #7 which is visible from Nelson Avenue. The early 1900 cottage was originally part of the August Belmont, Jr. property, today known as Clare Court. “The Foundation is excited to see NYRA starting to rehabilitate historic cottages to improve backstretch worker housing,” said Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director. NYRA also received a New Contextual Design Award for the Post Bar. The new steel and glass structure replaced the previous tented bar near the Paddock. The new building compliments the historic backyard, proving an open air bar as well as climate-controlled bar with balconies overlooking the horse path. The awards were accepted by project architect Matt Hurff of Frost Hurff Architects who was in attendance.
A Landscape Initiative Award was given to 754 North Broadway for the installation of a new sidewalk along East Avenue that matched the original historic brick herringbone sidewalk. Dennis Sherman accepted the award on the behalf of Barry Ostrager and noted the homeowner’s commitment to preserving his property and his love of Saratoga Springs.
Jennifer and Kyle Perry received a Porch Restoration Award for their home at 173 Phila Street. The homeowners utilized historic images and Sanborn Maps to determine what the original porch may have looked like and undertook an extensive restoration with the help of Balzer + Tuck Architecture and Teakwood Builders. Jim Sasko of Teakwood Builders accepted the award on the homeowner’s behalf.
The City of Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works received the Restoration Award this year for the 77th Infantry Monument, which was vandalized in Congress Park in July 2020. The cast iron and zinc statue was erected in 1875 and donated to the City, in honor of the 77th Infantry, known as the Saratoga Regiment, who fought in the Civil War. “After seeing it shattered in pieces on the ground, it seemed impossible for the statue to be put back together, but it was!” said Bosshart. She added, “Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco was very proud of this restoration.” The award was accepted by Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Joseph O’Neill and Department of Public Works Sign and Art Technician Phil Steffen. Steffen acknowledged the work of Evergreene Architectural Arts out of Maryland for their help restoring the statue and Investigator Vanessa Rose who took great care investigating this vandalism.
Jessica Niles of 581 North Broadway was given a Window Initiative Award. Niles expressed her gratitude to the Foundation for their help through the rehabilitation process and educating her about the New York State Historic Tax Credits, which helped to offset the cost of the project. She also acknowledged Chris Bennett for his work restoring the original historic wood windows and building custom wood storm windows. Saratoga City Tavern, 19-21 Caroline Street, was given a Window Initiative Award for the restoration of the bay windows facing out onto Caroline Street. Unfortunately, the owners were not able to be there to accept the award, but asked that Jeramie Murphy of J-Squared Contracting be thanked for his work on the project.
The property at 59 George Street also received a Rehabilitation Initiative Award for the exterior work completed, including the restoration of the side porch.
The award ceremony concluded with the Rehabilitation Award for Stone Abbey, 125 Circular Street. Bryan Vuillaume accepted the award on behalf of the Stone Abbey Condominium, Inc. group. He also thanked the Foundation for its help with tax credits, helping to offset the cost of the roof. Replacing the roof helped to alleviate other problems. In addition to the new roof, the project included the repairing the stairs, repointing the stone, and refinishing the large doors. Vuillaume also joked that repointing is a never ending job for the former church that was constructed in 1901.
The Foundation greatly appreciates all of the award winners for their investment and dedication to the preservation of Saratoga Springs. To be considered for nomination next year by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Awards Committee, projects must meet the following criteria and considerations: must be located in the City of Saratoga Springs; but not necessarily located in a historic district, must speak to design sensitivity and to the historic character and environment of the property; project execution must represent appropriate techniques and preservation practices; also considered is the degree of difficulty faced and appropriateness of solutions applied. Projects may include exteriors of private property and interiors or exteriors of public spaces. Projects must be applied to homes 50 years or older. Projects may range from small to large, and include restorations and new construction projects. All nominated projects must be completed within the past year. If you have questions about the Award Ceremony or the Award Winning Projects please contact Nicole Babie, Membership & Programs Director, at (518) 587-5030 or nbabie@saratogapreservation.org.
Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.