Park Avenue Boulevard Architectural Walking Tour - This Sunday (Oct 3)

Syracuse, NY. "Five Sisters" on Park Avenue in 2009. Photo: Peter Chen, Post Standard

Park Avenue Boulevard Architectural Walking Tour - This Sunday (Oct 3)

Join PACNY vice-president, landscape architect, and Park Avenue home owner Jeff Romano on a walking tour of one of Syracuse's loveliest - but little known - streets - street that is a neighborhood. Park Avenue's Victorian "five sisters" houses recently received a PACNY preservation award, and St. Paul's Armenian Apostolic Church was also recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places (formerly Park Ave Methodist Church, built in 1888).

I hope to attend - but as a looker and listener only!

Historic Neighborhood Tour

Come explore one of Syracuse’s historic neighborhoods, see the city’s history in a new light.

Preservation Association of Central New York (PACNY)

will host a walking tour of the Park Avenue Boulevard in Syracuse, Sunday, October 3, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

This tour will travel along the 300 - 600 blocks of Park Avenue and a side street or two. Come walk a timeline of the development of a neighborhood starting around 1830. On this tour, you will be introduced the beautiful "five sisters," the recently refurbished residences facing Leavenworth Park, and industrial remnants along with current developments. All of this will fit into a broader historical view of the neighborhood from its beginnings to what we have inherited as it is today, and a view into its future.

Please meet in the center of Leavenworth Park - rain or shine.

The tour starts promptly at 2:00 pm from Leavenworth Park (Leavenworth Ave at Park Ave .) 1 block south of West Genesee and 2 blocks north of Erie Blvd. The tour will finish at St. Paul's Armenian Apostolic Church, which was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places (formerly Park Ave Methodist Church, built in 1888).

The tour will be hosted by landscape architect Jeff Romano, Vice President of PACNY and a member of the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Restrooms will be available.

Donation:

PACNY members - $10

Non members - $12

Please support PACNY by becoming a member to create a larger voice of Preservation in Central New York. Membership forms will be available.

The member-based Preservation Association of Central New York has been the area’s citizen voice for historic preservation for over 35 years. Founded as a reaction to the widespread neglect and demolition of historic buildings and neighborhoods in the 1960’s, PACNY has led the successful effort to transform our community’s perception and care of its historic resources so that now the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County have over a dozen historic districts which contribute to the region’s cultural and economic vitality. For further information about PACNY, contact Michael Flusche (President of PACNY) at 315-569-6761 or flusche99@yahoo.com. See the PACNY website at http://pacny.net.

You can read more about preservationist and PACNY member Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, who also lives on the Park Avnue, on Post-Standard reporter Maureen Sieh's blog.

The Future of Blodgett and Central Schools: A Panel Discussion at the OHA Museum

The Future of Blodgett and Central Schools:

A Panel Discussion at the OHA Museum

Sunday, September 26, 2010

2 PM at the OHA Museum

Sponsored by the Onondaga Historical Association and

the Preservation Association of Central New York

Syracuse, NY. Former Central High School (1903)

In conjunction with its current exhibit, Recapturing that Old School Spirit: Syracuse High Schools of Days Gone By, the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) Museum is hosting a panel discussion on the future of two of those buildings: Blodgett and Central.

Of Syracuse’s older high school buildings that remain, most have found new or continuing uses. The future of two, however, has been somewhat murky. Central High School, opened in 1903 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been empty for 35 years, despite its key downtown location. Recent plans to transform it into a major technical school for the region have faltered, leaving its future uncertain.

Blodgett, opened in 1918 as a vocational high school, now serves as a K-8 facility, but one in serious need of rehabilitation. The planning for that rehabilitation has become a much-discussed topic of late, as the Syracuse School District and the city administration wrestle with renovation budgets for a number of city schools. Some have even questioned whether Blodgett should be included.

Syracuse, NY. Blodgett School (1918)

OHA’s exhibit touches on the topic of these buildings, their historic status and meaning to the community. To engage the community further, OHA has joined with the Preservation Association of Central New York to organize a panel discussion about the topic. Participating on the panel are the following:

Ned Duell, Syracuse City School Board

Anne Messenger,Near West Side Initiative

Sehl Burns, Central High School Alumnus

Doug Sutherland, Local Developer

Nadar Maroon, Syracuse City Council

Beth Crawford, Preservation Association of Central New York

Serving as moderator for the discussion will be Sean Kirst, columnist for The Post-Standard newspaper.

Illustrations of Syracuse schools long gone and forgotten,from Boyd's Syracuse City Directory, 1883-84

May School at Seneca Street between Otisco and Tully.

Prescott School, Willow Street above Lock Street

Syracuse High School, W. Genesee St at Onondaga Creek (1869)

Those who plan to attend this program are encouraged to come early to view the related exhibit at the OHA Museum. The Museum is located at 321 Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse. Admission is free.

For more information, contact the OHA Museum at 428-1864

T. Aaron Levy School (formerly Nottingham high School) in the Westcott Neighborhood.
Its future as a school is uncertain.

Centennial of Syracuse's Temple Concord Cornerstone

USA: Centennial of Syracuse's Temple Concord Cornerstone
by Samuel D. Gruber


(ISJM) This month marks the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of present building of Temple Society of Concord, the oldest Jewish institution in Central New York and one of the oldest existing American congregations. The congregation will kick off this building centennial year (or years) with a brief ceremony and a wine and cheese reception before Shabbat services on Friday, September 10th. Events associated with the Jewish architecture and the building will be taking place all year, culminating with a re-dedication of the historic sanctuary next fall. The International Survey of Jewish Monuments has its office at Temple Concord, and I'll be giving a talk "Temple Concord, Jewish Architecture and City Beautiful" on April 11, 2011.

To take you back 100 years here is the story from the Syracuse Post-Standard from September 19, 1910 about the cornerstone laying ceremony. The full text of congregation president Gates Thalheimer is given. Thalheimer's remarks are indicative of American Reform sentiments at the time. I've written an article about these, and the role played by classical style architecture in promoting these sentiments and ideals, that should be out sometime in 2011.

The Post-Standard, Syracuse, N.Y., September 19, 2010

(transcribed by Samuel Gruber)

Corner Stone of Temple set with Trowel of Gold

Impressive Services Are Held by Society of Concord

Rev. Dr. Guttman, Assisted by Two Rabbis Conducts Services.

Prominent Hebrews of City Congratulate Church Upon Progress

The corner stone of the $85,000 house of worship bring erected at University avenue and Madison street by the Temple Society of Concord was set yesterday afternoon with a gold trowel presented by the Building Committee to the president of the society, Gates Thalheimer. Despite the unfavorable weather there was a large congregation at the impressive ceremonies which marked an important epoch in the growth of the society.

The corner stone contains a copper box in which was placed the customary documents, and on one side is this inscription: “Society of Concord, 1910.” The building, it is expected, will be dedicated in June next year.

Rev. Adolph Guttman, rabbi of the society, was assisted in conducting the services by Rabbis Jacob Kohn and J. H. Stolz. Besides Dr. Guttman and Mr. Thalheimer addresses were made by Dr. Nathan Jacobson, Dr. Henry L. Einer and Henry Danziger, chairman of the Building Committee. Dr. Guttman made an appeal for Godliness, declaring that no enterprise can succeed without the spirit of God. Dr. Jacobson said he regarded the ceremony as an important event in Jewish history in Syracuse and vicinity, and referred to it as the first evidence of expansion. “There are only two conditions in this world,” said Dr. Jacobson, “namely, growth and decay. We are showing growth. What we want inside of these cold walls is a spirit that will give life and sympathy and the development of religious thoughts and principle. Such an institution will bid welcome to all who seek admission.”

Dr. Eisner believed the influence of the Temple Society of Concord in its new building would be far-reaching. He spoke of the value of culture and good influence.

The trowel was presented to Mr. Thalheimer by Henry Danziger. It is engraved as follows: “With this trowel was set the corner stone of the Temple Society of Concord in 1910. Presented to Gates Thalheimer, president, by the members of the Building Committee.

Mr. Thalmeimer made a short address which was cordially received. In part he said:

The laying of this corner stone is an event, toward which many of us have looked for a long time. When the thought of building a new Temple first arose among us there were many problems to settle. First among these was the matter of location. I am sure that now we will all agree that this problem was settled right. Many of our people have worshiped in the old Temple at State and Harrison streets. That Temple has had a noble history. There are many tender associations there, which we shall not forget. But changes of population have been great since our old Temple was built. We have chosen, therefore, this place on this hill, surrounded by a fine neighborhood of beautiful homes, close to the campus of a great university. It does seem a most appropriate place for us to locate and build. We shall cherish the memories of the old house of God, but our faces are turned towards the future and we are planning for the years to come. We are thinking of our children, and of our children’s children. We are carrying out a programme which ought to increase the usefulness and influence of our society.

What we are doing now ought to forecast a new epoch of prosperity and provide a permanent home for our people for generations to come.

Our business now is to complete this Temple, equip it, pay for it and do our best to make it a worthy monument to the living vitality of the faith of Israel. So much in a business way.

I am not your pastor. I would be out of place preaching to you, or exhorting you. I certainly have no desire to pose as a religious leader. But there are thoughts that crowd the mind of a plain business man at such a time as this. There are associations with our temple building which stir ancient and noble memories. There are interests here greater than those of brick and stone and builder’s accounts.

We who are members of this temple Society of Concord are also members of the household of Israel. We ought to be proud of this fact. We ought to be glad that we are Israelistes. It is the best thing in all that we inherit form the past that we were born among that ancient people whose history is older than the throne of Caesar’s or the ideas of Plato.

To-day we are far from the home where our fathers lived. The land they loved is in ruins. The temple they built is no more. Some among our people dream of a time when they will return to Palestine and rebuilt her waste places. Perhaps that time may come. Possibly some future age may see Zion restored to her ancient beauty. But that is not for us who are settled here in this new world. We are a remnant of the people of God, but we have learned to love this great Republic. We are among its citizens. Its duties and its right are ours.

This brings me to my final word and to the thought which is behind all I have so far said. This land of ours is a great workshop. Its looms and wheels turn fast. The opportunities for education, wealth and power are marvelous. The temptations are also great. We are drawn into the whirlpool of this vast tumult. This is no time nor place for ancient superstitions or outgrown fables.

But it is a time to recall the one thing which has made Israel immortal. We are to be modern up to date men and women. We are to be Americans. But it will be a miserable mistake if we forget that we are also of that people who made that ancient covenant with Jehovah. With malice toward none and with love toward all we are building this Temple because we are sharers in Israel’s hope. That hope which from Abraham until now has never failed our race.

The very thing we can do for ourselves, four our children, and for our country, is to renew our vows to the God of our fathers that in our day and generation we will serve Him. This Temple is to be our pledge that Israel’s faith is one, and that though we are divided by continents and seas and languages, yet our hope is one.

Several hymns were sung by the quartet choir of the Temple Society of Concord under the direction of George K. Van Deusen.

Historic Ithaca to Hold Window Workshops in September

The replacement of good long lasting wooden windows with new short-lasting vinyl replacements is one the most unnecessary changes wrought in older houses in older neighborhoods. Fast sales talk and sometime public energy savings subsidies often convince homeowners that rplacing old windows with new is cheaper, cleaner, easier and hassle free. I ain't so! Vinyl isn't final, and even when it lasts, poor installation, shoddy mechanisms and other faults often make "replacement" windows in need of replacement within a decade. Here's a chance - courtesy of Historic Ithaca - for contractors and others to learn more about working with older windows. Maybe we'll be able to bring this program to Syracuse...but until then here is an opportunity.

Historic Ithaca to Hold Window Workshops in September

Can you really believe everything the window salesman says about replacing your historic wood windows?

Many old windows have lasted 100 or more years. With the right repairs and maintenance, they'll last another 200 and be as energy-efficient as replacement windows.

Historic Ithaca is offering two hands-on wood window restoration workshops in September: a four-day intensive course for contractors, painters, and other building professionals and a one-day hands-on workshop for homeowners, landlords, and property managers.

The one-day workshop will equip building owners to keep their old windows in good working order. Participants will learn the basic skills to perform affordable and lasting window repairs. This workshop will be held on Saturday, September 25, 10am–4pm at Historic Ithaca's headquarters, 212 Center Street, Ithaca NY.

The four-day workshop will prepare professionals for successful work on clients' windows. This comprehensive on-site course includes evaluating conditions, removing windows, repairing damaged wood, reglazing, installation and restoration of hardware, paint removal, and lead safety. This workshop will be held Tuesday, September 21 through Friday, September 24, 9am–4pm each day.

Advance registration is required and space is limited in both workshops. The registration fee for the one-day workshop is $95 ($85 for Friends of Historic Ithaca) and the four-day workshop is $425 ($395 for Friends of Historic Ithaca). The fee is non-refundable and includes lunches and refreshments. Register online at http://www.historicithaca.org/.

Workshop instructor Steve Jordan is a graduate of Cornell University's Historic Preservation Planning program and a contributing editor for Old-House Journal magazine. He was formerly the rehab advisor for the Landmark Society of Western New York and an architectural conservator for Bero Architecture. He is the author of numerous articles about old-house repair and historic preservation, and he has many years of hands-on experience working on his own and his clients' old homes.

Historic Ithaca's window workshops are funded through a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and through the support of these sponsors: Argos Inn, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Crawford & Stearns Architects and Preservation Planners, and Taitem Engineering.

For more information, visit www.historicithaca.org

Holy Trinity Church Named Syracuse Protected Site

Holy Trinity Church Named Syracuse Protected Site

Last week the Syracuse Common Council designated Holy Trinity Church at 501 Park Street as a City of Syracuse Protected Site. The action will help protect the historic and beautiful Gothic-style church from drastic change, though it does not offer full protection - only a good program of appropriate use and adequate funding can do that. Now that the building is protected the real planning for its future can begin - and it will not be easy!

(Holy Trinity church stained Glass. Photos by Samuel D. Gruber
click on any image picture for larger image)

The Preservation Association of Central New York supported the designation of Holy Trinity Church as a Local Protected Site based on its historic, architectural and artistic significance to the city and Central New York. Here is the statement that PACNY presented to the Planning Commission that was also considered by the Common Council. I was happy that I was able to provide the Landmarks Preservation Board with some additional information about the architect and the maker of the glorious stained glass. I've previously posted galleries of photos of the church exterior and interior. Today I'm also including images of the stained glass windows.

The Preservation Association of Central New York supports the designation of Holy Trinity Church as a Local Protected Site based on its historic, architectural and artistic significance to the city and Central New York.

Holy Trinity Church, built from 1905 to 1912, is one of Syracuse’s most impressive Gothic Revival buildings. Designed by Syracuse University trained architect Charles W. Eldridge (1882-1947) and decorated by dozens of large stained glass windows from the studio of Otto F. Andrle (d. 1933) of Buffalo, the two-towered Gothic church is one of Syracuse’s most striking neighborhood landmarks and one of its finest religious spaces.

The closing of the church was announced in December 2009, together with the pending closing of Saint John the Evangelist Church, another great Gothic building that once served as the city’s Catholic Cathedral. Protected Site designation will recognize the inherent qualities in the building and, and in the spirit of the ordinance, it is our hope that designation will help protect these qualities whatever the use to which the building is put in the future. We especially urge the designation of the complete exterior envelope of the church including its exceptional stained glass windows, as well the interior space of the sanctuary with all of its built-in architectural elements (columns, capitals, moldings, etc.).

At the turn of the 20th century, the Northside was home to many German Catholic and Lutheran churches. Many of these were in the Gothic style, a favorite among German-American immigrants beginning in the 1840s. Most are now demolished or transformed to different use. For at least the last half-century the congregation of Holy Trinity has been heavily Italian. More recently, a number of the new parishioners have been Vietnamese Catholics. Whatever the parishioners’ national origins, the great German-Gothic hall style church has been a landmark of architecture, community and faith in the neighborhood. Its tall two-towered façade, augmented by its location on a local highpoint, soars above other buildings in area. It is the most impressive building of any sort in that part of the city.

The interior of the structure is striking. The impressive open space is in the German Gothic tradition in which the considerable height is maintained across all three aisles for the entire width of the church. That also means there are no side galleries, just a choir loft over the entrance narthex (vestibule). The great open space accentuates the light, color and line of the excellent set of narrative stained glass windows by Otto Andrle Studio of Buffalo. They rank among the very best in Central New York. They include many traditional images, but also several unusual window scenes, such as that of the Garden of Eden. The windows are inscribed with passages in German and were mostly donated by members and member societies. (The Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board has a list of all windows subjects and the names of donors).

Otto Francis Andrle was born and educated in Buffalo and was a student of Buffalo artist Lars G. Sellstedt. “Early in his youth, he completed an apprenticeship with Florian Feyl, frescoing, and studied stained glass painting in the studios of Booth and Riester, later the Buffalo Stained Glass works, the pioneer craftsmen of the art in Buffalo. From about 1893 to 1902 he operated his own painting and decorating business, Andrle & Co. at 222-224 Genesee Street in Buffalo. The Teck and Star theaters were among the many Buffalo homes, schools and churches that exhibited his work.” [www.andrle.com/chris/windows2.htm]. Andrle was also an actor, making his professional debut in 1892. He founded the Otto F. Andrle Stained Glass and Art Institute with Jacob J. Diebolt in 1913 after his retirement from the stage.

The church architect was Charles Eldridge (1882-1947), who was born in Canandaigua and received his architectural training at Syracuse University and in the offices of Gordon and Madden and Harry C. Parks. Eldridge opened his own office in 1912 and Holy Trinity must be one of his very first significant commissions. Eldridge went on to become a prominent architect in Rochester and head architect for the Rochester Diocese. He later was an Associate in the firm of Gordon and Kaelber. Among his important works in Rochester are the Columbus Civic Center and its auditorium, the Eastman Theater at the Eastman School of Music, the Rundel Memorial Library, and Corpus Christi Church, Holy Rosary Church, Saint Peter and Paul Church, St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Church in Canandaigua. Holy Trinity Church is the only building in Syracuse known to have been designed by Eldridge.

The architect demonstrated his design competence in this early work, aided by first-rate plasterers who carried out all the interior decorative work, including the capitals. The building is probably brick throughout - with the interior covered with plaster roughed and scored and painted to look like ashlar stone blocks. The vaults appear to be plaster, which could be verified by an examination from above in the attic space.

This building is still in very good condition. Two extended visits to the church earlier this year and examination all of the publicly accessible areas, including the tower stairway to the organ loft, revealed a small number of areas visibly in need of repair. There are small areas of deteriorated plaster from water damage in the west tower stairwell. These seemed to be dry, indicating that the source of the damage (which was probably bad drainage off the roof) has been repaired. Also a small area of peeling paint and plaster is visible in the northeast section of the sanctuary. Thus, it is fair to say that this building is not comparable to some other religious structures which suffered from deferred maintenance. The Catholic Diocese and the parish have devotedly maintained this building well for almost a century.

Sharon BuMann to Receive PACNY's Harley McKee Techincal Award

Sharon BuMann to Receive PACNY's Harley McKee Technical Award

Local artist and sculpture conservator Sharon BuMann is scheduled to receive PACNY's Harley McKee Technical Award at the upcoming awards ceremony on Thursday, May 6th (7 pm at Barnes Mansion, 930 James Street), in recognition of her skill at bronze sculpture restoration and the contribution she has made to our community. Coincidentally Dick Case writes about Sharon in today's Post Standard with the good news that the Redfield Monument will soon be returned - fully restored - to Foreman Park. You can read Dick's story here:

http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2010/04/forman_park_gets_renovation_th.html

Last summer the North Side celebrated the restoration of the Kirkpatrick Monument/LeMoyne Fountain in Washington Square. You can read about that and see pictures at:

http://mycentralnewyork.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-cny-public-art-dedication-of.html

Here is some more information about Sharon and her work:

Sharon BuMann

Sharon BuMann began her career as a professional sculptor in 1977. She holds an Associates Degree in Graphic Arts, a BFA in Sculpture, post graduate credits from Lyme Academy and University of Hartford, Connecticut. BuMann's current works include traditional fine art sculpture, bronze monuments, architectural collaborations, and butter sculptures. Her creations range in scale from miniature to monumental. She is perhaps best known as the sculptor of the Jerry Rescue Monument in Clinton Square, Syracuse.

In the past decade, Sharon has expanded BuMann Sculpture Studios to include TRS (Technical Restoration Service) dedicated to the restoration of existing bronzes, especially a number of works of public sculpture in Central New York. Engaged by then Syracuse Parks Commissioner Otis Jennings in 2001 to care for many of the city's long neglected monuments, and supported by Jennings successor Commissioner Patrick Driscoll, Sharon embarked on a continuing program now a decade old to maintain and restore the many exemplary bronze statues that adorn the city. Among those restored are the Goethe and Schiller Monument, the Gustavus Sniper Monument, the Hamilton White Monument and most recently the Kirkpatrick Monument in Washington Square. All of these superb works of art of a century ago have been returned to the public in their original beauty and glory.

Technical Restoration is a melding of art and industry. For many public monuments, years of neglect and abuse by pigeons and people alike, have left these sculptures in a prolonged state of decay.Sharon prides herself in researching each monument, the goal is always to bring back the original aesthetic qualities of a sculpture, and to halt the agents of corrosion and decay while laying the stage for simple a long-term maintenance plan to foster greater appreciation by the citizenry, uphold the community's investment both culturally and financially, reduce costs of later upkeep, and preserve priceless, and often one-of-a-kind, works of public art.

According to Sharon, “every bronze has a unique situation and condition. I find educating the general public and civic officials to the need for regular care and attention to area history is very important and necessary.” For her accomplishment in art, craft, technical skill and public advocacy we present Sharon BuMann with the 2010 Harley McKee Technical Award.

A Must to Save: The Former AME Zion Church

Former AME Zion Church seen from Center of Excellence.
Photo: Samuel Gruber 2010.

Former AME Zion Church. Photo: Samuel Gruber 2010.

A Must to Save: The Former AME Zion Church

Yesterday I was glad to attend the opening of the new Center of Excellence. I'll write more on that in a separate post. But walking down, and then then looking south through the CoE's wall of glass, I couldn't help a feeling of dismay as I passed two of the most significant and most neglected buildings in Syracuse, the Gustav Stickley House on Columbus Avenue and the former AME Zion Church at 711 East Fayette, just a stone's throw from the CoE. Both are small buildings which once had small problems, but neglect has caused more damage and the future of each remains uncertain.

The former AME is, I think, the oldest purpose-built Africa-American church in Syracuse. The modest church building with elegant stained glass windows was (apparently) designed by leading Syracuse architect Charles Colton (who also designed City Hall). This was the successor home to the famous congregation that had been led by famed-abolition leader Jermaine Loguen during the mid-19th century.

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone with information or ideas about saving this important building. Given its prime location and small size it could be used for a variety of educational, exhibition and community purposes.



July Wellman wrote in Uncovering the Freedom Trail in Syracuse and Onondaga County (PACNY, 2002): “The AME Zion Church in Syracuse was the largest African American congregation (and for many years the only one) in Syracuse. It was the single most important community organization for African Americans before the Civil War, and it was one of the most important sources of abolitionist and underground railroad activity in the region. It also represents the central importance of churches for promoting the Freedom Trail.”

The original church was at 14 Chestnut (West side of South Crouse between Washington and Water Streets). The congregation moved to East Fayette in 1911. AMW Zion still owns the building, which has been occupied by other religious congregations. AME Zion is now located at 2306 South Salina Street.

From Syracusthenandnow (http://syracusethenandnow.org/Architects/Colton/Charles_Erastus_Cotton.htm):

“When Charles E. Colton died in 1914, he was hailed as "the most prominent architect in the city at the time." In Syracuse, Colton's best known work is City Hall, built in 1889. Colton was educated in the public schools of Syracuse and was engaged in various enterprises before he entered the architectural office of Archimedes Russell in 1873. Three years later he established his own architectural offices. Between 1880 and 1881 he was in partnership with James H. Kirby. New York State Governor David B. Hill (Gov. 1885-1891) offered Colton the position as State Architect, which he declined because of pressing work. Colton was Treasurer of the Western New York Association of Architects and was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1888.”