Embedded Files
THE MUNICIPAL HISTORIAN'S OFFICE AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The Office of the Greene Municipal Historian is the municipality and constituent's resource for anything related to preservation within the Town and Village of Greene. This office advises the municipal government with anything relating to historic preservation, whether it be a building, property, historic site, bridge, roadway, etc. The Historian is responsible for the roadside historical markers, NYS SHPO building inventory sheets, New York State and National Park Service historic registration, grant-writing, counsel to historic buildings and sites, among other items. Below will discuss each of these points and what I can assist with.
Historical Markers
Historical Markers
As you drive around New York State, you will notice different historical markers placed alongside roadways and on properties and buildings of historical significance. Throughout the Town and Village of Greene, we have 25 markers laid out, which depict a noteworthy historical site. You will notice two, (soon to be three) different styles throughout Greene: one with blue and yellow, one with red and blue, and one with brown and white. The blue and yellow ones are currently provided by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation out of Syracuse, which supplies grants to purchase and make these markers. Prior to the Pomeroy foundation supplying these markers, they were typically done through the NYS Department of Education. The red and blue markers are "bicentennial" markers. These ones designate a building or site where its significance was recognized during the year of our nation's 200th anniversary. The brown and white marker, which will be placed in the center of the village, are usually indicative of buildings or sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Pomeroy foundation has several different "themed" markers, covering different historical topics including: Hungry for History, Hometown Heritage, Historic Transportation, National Registry, Legends and Lore, Patriot Burials (burial sites of Continental Soldiers who served during the American Revolution) and the New York State Historic Marker (blue and yellow).
This office continuously evaluates different buildings and sites which deserve the proper recognition in its contribution to the history of Greene and New York State. If you feel that a site should receive recognition through a historical marker, please reach out to me at: bbernardi@nygreene.com and we can evaluate the site and see if it qualifies for specific designation.
HISTORIC BUILDING INVENTORY SHEETS
Ever wondered about the history of your house? The Office of the Municipal Historian can assist with that! One helpful tool that New York State created, that is maintained by the Municipal Historian and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation are "Building Inventory Sheets." These documents provide historical information about a structure or site, including previous owners, former uses of the property, alterations to structures, materials used to construct the building, photographs, architect(s), date of construction, etc. These sheets are available to the public upon request. These sheets have been digitized and are archived in the NYS Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) and managed by the NYS Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which is accessible by Municipal Historians and anyone else associated with NYS PRHP, NYS SHPO, and anyone else who may need regular access to this material. At this time, there is a complete inventory for the Village of Greene and I am working on completing the sheets for the Town of Greene with an anticipated completion date about 2-3 years out due to the scale of the project. The original sheets for Greene were completed in 1981, so they are due for an upgrade. I am currently in the process of updating all inventory sheets, which will take time. To request an inventory sheet on your property, or another property of interest, please send an email to: bbernardi@nygreene.com
NEW YORK STATE HISTORIC REGISTRY and NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTRY
Are you looking to place your home, business, or property on the Historic Registry? Is your property already on the state or national registry and would like more information regarding this designation? You can find those answers all with the Historian's Office.
New York State Historic Registry - In New York State, we are fortunate to have a state historic registry, in addition to the national registry, managed by the National Park Service. To have a property placed on the NYS registry, a request can be made to the Municipal Historian's Office. From there, we can meet and review the property and the property's history. Following this step, I will reach out to SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office), where we will gather the information necessary to place it on the list for evaluation. This may include a survey of the structure and/or property. Once NYS SHPO has made their decision, this office and the property owner will be notified of the verdict. If awarded the designation, the structure/property will be placed on the New York State Register of Historic Places (NYSHRP). This designation MAY be able to assist with grants and tax credits.
National Historic Registry - This designation is handed down from the National Park Service and designates a structure, site, or property as a national historic site. National Registry (NR) status can be obtained following receiving designation as a NYS-registered structure, site, or property. This process will require a little more leg work, however it will follow a similar process to the NYS evaluation process. If you feel your structure, site, or property qualifies to receive NR status, I invite you to reach out to my office and we can get the process started. BE ADVISED: This process will require site evaluation by this office, NYS, and possibly representatives from the National Park Service and/or the Department of the Interior.
GRANTS
Are you looking for assistance with a grant for your property, or maybe another historic property that is looking to revitalize or restore? I invite you to email my office at: bbernardi@nygreene.com and we can explore your options. If you qualify for a grant, I will sit with you and explain what all is entailed and assist you in composing the grant letter.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse