On March 25, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended adding 17 properties, resources and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The nominations reflect the striking diversity of New York State’s history, and range from the city’s first cooperative apartment building to a resort community developed by African Americans on Long Island.

 

“These nominations pay tribute to some of the most exceptional and fascinating sites in New York State history,” Governor Cuomo said. “By placing these landmarks on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, we can ensure these locations have the funding they need to preserve and promote the very best of New York’s past, present and future.”

 

Locally, Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, has been nominated. The club boasts two 18-hole golf courses designed by Albert Warren Tillinghast, a seminal figure in American golf course design, as well as an impressive stone and brick clubhouse designed by architect Clifford Charles Wendehack. The courses opened in 1923, and the clubhouse was completed in 1925. Winged Foot’s West Course hosted the U.S. Open in 1929.

 

 A State and National Registers listing can assist property owners in revitalizing buildings and make them eligible for various public preservation programs and services such as matching state grants and state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. Since the Governor signed legislation to bolster the state’s use of rehabilitation tax credits in 2013, the state and federal program has spurred billions of dollars in completed investments in historic commercial properties and tens of millions of dollars in owner-occupied historic homes.

 

The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects, and sites significant in the history, architecture, archeology and culture of New York State and the nation. There are more than 120,000 historic buildings, structures and sites throughout the state listed on the National Register of Historic Places, individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the most recent nominations.

 

Once the recommendations are approved by the state historic preservation officer, the properties are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed and, once approved, entered on the National Register.

 

“The State and National Registers listing is a key step forward on the path to protecting and revitalizing these landmarks. Preserving and revitalizing our historic places helps lift local economies, instill community pride, encourage smart growth, and boost tourism,” said Erik Kulleseid, Acting Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

 

Senator José Serrano, Chair of Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation said, “Today’s recommendations reflect the wonderfully diverse cultural heritage of New York - from a post-World War II African American resort community on Long Island, to a 19th century schoolhouse in Buffalo, not to mention East Harlem’s working-class immigrant legacy represented in my Senate District. By helping to preserve our historic treasures, the State and National Registers support community revitalization while encouraging tourism and economic growth. Many thanks to Governor Cuomo and Acting Commissioner Kulleseid for their commitment to preserving New York’s history for future generations.”