Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is one of this year’s Preserve New York (PNY) grantees. Their grant of $20,000 will fund a Cultural Resources Survey for the City of Jamestown. The Preservation League of NYS and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are thrilled to help fund this important work.
This survey will update the City of Jamestown’s existing cultural resource survey (CSR) to help guide future historic preservation efforts. Since the initial CSR was completed, three districts have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places (the Downtown Commercial District, Lakeview Heights, and Forest Heights), as have a handful of individual properties.
The original CSR was completed in 1993. While this report has an abundance of knowledge, there is great need for an update. This new CSR, to be completed by consultants from Bero Architecture, will address the gaps between the 1993 study and the current priorities and goals of preservation. In particular, the community is interested in expanding on the brief mention of a section of the City once referred to as “Little Africa.”
“The 1993 survey has been immensely valuable to Jamestown’s preservation work over the last 30 years,” says Frank Besse, Executive Director of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. “However, we recognize that our community’s needs and priorities have evolved, and there is a pressing need to update and expand upon the original findings. This new Cultural Resources Survey will allow us to capture the full scope of Jamestown’s rich heritage, including areas that were previously overlooked, such as the historically significant ‘Little Africa’ neighborhood. We are excited to partner with Bero Architecture to conduct this comprehensive update, ensuring that our preservation efforts are inclusive and reflective of our city’s diverse history.”
The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation was established in 2006 as a public-private partnership to implement the Jamestown Urban Design plan to assist the economic revitalization of our region. Their vision is to support stronger neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown, and an engaged community.
“Projects funded through Preserve New York often mark the beginning of bigger preservation efforts, and the League takes tremendous pride in helping to jumpstart this important work,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of NYS. “We can’t wait to see how this year’s grantees tackle these projects and look forward to continuing to be a resource into the future. We are grateful for the continued partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts, as well as the additional support from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, which makes these grants possible.”
At its 2024 meeting, an independent grant panel selected 21 applicants in 17 counties to receive support totaling $262,041.
For details and photos of all the 2024 Preserve New York grantees, please visit: preservenys.org/blog/preserve-new-york-grants-2024
2024 PNY Grant Recipients:
Albany County: The Pine Hollow Arboretum | Chautauqua County: Jamestown Renaissance Corporation | Columbia County: Stuyvesant Landing Historic District Subcommittee, Town of Stuyvesant | Dutchess County: Innisfree Foundation | Erie County: Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission; Black Rock Historical Society | Essex County: Town of Jay, NY | Genesee County: LeRoy Historical Society | Herkimer County: Village of West Winfield | Kings County: Prospect Lefferts Gardens Heritage Council Inc. | Nassau County: Roslyn Landmark Society; Old Westbury Gardens Inc. | New York County: South East Area Coalition | Ontario County: Town of Phelps; Village of Victor | Otsego County: The Butternut Valley Arts & Crafts Center, Inc. | Rensselaer County: Rensselaer County Historical Society | Suffolk County: East Hampton Historical Farm Museum; East Hampton Historical Society | Warren County: Historical Society of the Town of Chester | Wyoming County: Silver Lake Institute
“NYSCA is proud to work with the Preservation League of New York State and support these vital projects which represent the rich diversity of our state’s history,” said Erika Mallin, Executive Director of the New York State Council on the Arts. “Congratulations to all the grantees and our thanks for your essential work, ensuring the survival of these cultural treasures for generations.”
Preserve New York is a regrant partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League, made possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has generously provided additional funds to support nonprofit projects in Nassau and Suffolk. Since 1993, Preserve New York has been providing funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. The building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys funded through this program lead to positive outcomes across New York’s 62 counties. These grants support important arts and cultural initiatives, as well as economic development related to our state’s arts and cultural heritage. With the announcement of the 2024 awards, support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 totals more than $3.9 million to 550 projects statewide.
About the Preservation League of New York State
Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League of NYS has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The League empowers all New Yorkers to use historic preservation to enrich their communities, protect their heritage, and build a sustainable future. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state. Connect with us at preservenys.org, facebook.com/preservenys, youtube.com/c/PreservationLeague and instagram.com/preservenys
About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award $162 million in FY2025, serving organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
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