- Home
- Who We Are
- Professional Credentials
- Project History
- List of Services
- Project Examples
- Work Samples
- Client's Comments
- Contact Information
|
WRIGHT REIS HOMESTEAD Team: Neil Larson with Walter R. Wheeler, architect Built in the c. 1853, the Wright Reis Homestead has been owned by the Town of Somers since 1972 when the last member of the family died. The house is an intact and distinctive example of Greek Revival farmhouse architecture in the region retaining many of its original interior finishes and all the family furnishings. Operated by the Somers Historical Society as a historic house museum, there has been a growing need to improve the documentation of the house and farm buildings so that formal preservation measures can be implemented. LFA is working with the town on a multi-phase project to accomplish this task. Funding for the first phase, focusing on the house, has been helped by a Preserve New York grant from the Preservation League of New York State. Contact: Terry Ariano, Curator, Somers Historical Society, Town of Somers, NY; 914-277-3323
KENT-VON DER BOSCH HOUSE DOCUMENTATION Client: City of Peekskill, Community Development Agency
Contact: Jean Friedman, Planner, Department of Planning & Development, City of Peekskill, NY;
SCENIC & HISTORIC ROADS STUDY Client: Town of Cortlandt The Town of Cortlandt, located along the northern border of Westchester County, is experiencing suburban sprawl in areas rich with historic resources. As a result, the town, in its 2003 Comprehensive Master Plan, established the goal of understanding the impact this could have on historic resources, including historic and scenic roads. With a grant from the Preservation League of New York State, the town hired LFA to survey its historic roads. Working with an advisory group, a total of 13 roads were selected for study. The methodological framework chosen for this study was set forth in the America’s Byways publication, From Milestones to Mile-markers—Understanding Historic Roads. This approach assured a thorough and objective documentation of the discrete qualities and overall integrity of Cortlandt’s roads. For each of the 13 roads, LFA recorded distinguishing features with digital photography and detailed notes on tax parcel maps; assessed historic and scenic character; and made recommendations concerning their protection and designation. Contact: Chris Kehoe, Senior Assistant Planner, Planning Division - Department of Technical Services
TOWN-WIDE RECONAISSANCE SURVEY Team: Jill Fisher & Neil Larson Greenburgh is a southern Westchester County town with a significant suburban history. Only a few 18th century buildings remain, though many more 19th century resources exist, which illustrate the spread of residential development outside of New York City. Country estates, numerous country clubs, and cemeteries were established in the late 1800s, including the renowned Hartsdale Canine Cemetery. The early 20th century suburban developments that located along commuter rail lines and the Bronx River Parkway were posh addresses. Later post-World War II housing tracts were developed in the remaining open areas. At least one, Parkway Gardens, has a significant African American history. This neighborhood, along with several others, was recommended for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places and local designation. Contact: Mark Stellato, Commissioner of Community Development & Conservation, Town of Greenburgh, Greenburgh, NY; 914-993-1532; mstellato@greenburghny.com
TOWN-WIDE RECONAISSANCE SURVEY Team: Jill Fisher & Neil Larson The 2005 Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Yorktown identified a town-wide survey and assessment of historic resources as an action item. The town obtained a Certified Local Government grant to conduct this work and hired LFA to assist. Among the over 500 properties recorded were Revolutionary War-related resources notable rural landscapes, high style modern corporate architecture, and as well as mid-20th century housing developments, the significance of which had yet to be assessed. The survey identified several notable neighborhoods, including the Hunterbrook-Baptist Church Road area, as being likely candidates for both the National Register of Historic Places and local historic designation. In addition, numerous intact post-World War II housing developments were recommended for designation as Neighborhood Conservation Districts to protect their emerging historic status. Contact: John Tegeder, Director, Planning Department, Town of Yorktown, NY; 914-962-6565; jtegeder@yorktownny.org
VAN CORTLANDT HOUSE MUSEUM ARCHITECTURAL CONTEXT FOR HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT Client: Historic House Trust of New York City The Van Cortlandt House was constructed in 1748 and survives virtually intact as a rare example of elite architecture in 18th-century New York. Built for Frederick Van Cortlandt on a plantation known as Lower Yonkers it is an amalgam of English and Dutch construction methods and decorative tastes that exemplifies the cultural blending occurring at the highest levels of Colonial society. A historic house museum since 1896, this is the first HSR to be prepared for the house. LFA provided a detailed analysis of the architectural and historical background of this important house. Contact: Michael Devonshire, Director of Conservation, JHPA, Inc.; 212-759-6462; devonshire@jhpokorny.com
INTENSIVE HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY OF THE DULUTH EAST END NEIGHBORHOOD Team: Jill Fisher & Maryanne Norton Duluth Heritage Preservation Commission (DHPC) member Maryanne Norton had been collecting information about properties within the “Mansion District” in Duluth for many years but had not formalized it into a standardized form. The DHPC obtained a Certified Local Government grant and raised the matching funds to contract for an Intensive Survey of the historic resources in the area. LFA was hired because of Fisher’s familiarity with the city and its architectural heritage. Working together Fisher and Norton expanded the background research into the first owners and residents of the over 200 properties within the delineated survey area—looking at obituaries, census data and other biographical information. New information was discovered that enriched the community’s understanding of the historical significance of the neighborhood, complementing what was already known about its architectural importance. This background will enable the DHPC to nominate the neighborhood to the National Register of Historic Places. Contact: Robert Bruce, Planning Director, City of Duluth, MN; 218-730-5904;bbruce@ci.duluth.mn.us
DOWNTOWN PEEKSKILL HISTORIC DISTRICT
Team: Neil Larson & Jill Fisher The City of Peekskill had already established a local historic district and design guidelines for its central business district but determined that designation of the area as a National Register Historic District would be beneficial. The nomination documented the Hudson River town's importance as an early hub of land transportation routes and showed how this shaped the downtown in the 19th century. The nomination also identified important mid-20th century Art Moderne structures that were previously undervalued for their contribution to the district's architectural significance. Contact: Jean Friedman, Planner, City of Peekskill, New York, 914-734-4218
HISTORIC DOCUMENTATION OF
THE HOFFMAN - DENEGAR HOUSE
Team: Neil Larson This historic documentation project was a real sleuthing job involving extensive deed research to determine the date of construction and the builders of this historic home. Concealed beneath a Craftsman's Cottage exterior was an early 18th century Dutch stone house associated with the Hoffman family. Members of this prominent family were key players in the early development of Red Hook, which added to the historic significance of the house. A conditions assessment was an additional component of the report, which provides guidance to the owners for future restoration and rehabilitation projects. Contact: Donna Brown or Elliott Bristol, 845-757-2233.
MENDON NORTH AVENUE RURAL
NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT & MENDON CENTER NATIONAL
REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT
Team: Neil Larson & Jill
Fisher (LFA) These are two distinct but related nominations to the National Register of Historic Places that were successfully listed in early 2003. Mendon is in the unusual situation of having retained much of its surrounding rural landscapes essentially intact, including eight historic farms extending along North Avenue that provide a pastoral gateway to the village center. The town's proximity to Boston and the increasing development pressure this has engendered suggested that measures needed to be taken to protect these old and rare landscapes. The National Register listings document that these areas are not simply visual amenities or desirable environmental conservation areas, but also have significant historic value based on the 300-year history of their agricultural use.
In addition to its open space, Mendon Center retains the landscape patterns of the 17th century village from which it originated. Yet its most visible significance is as a remarkably intact Federal Period New England village. Between the two nominations, a comprehensive understanding of the community's rich heritage was achieved. Local leaders are actively using this information to ensure that future development respects these irreplaceable historic resources. Contact: Colleen Conley, Chair, Mendon Historical Commission, Town of Mendon, MA 508-482-9569
CENTRAL STREET HISTORIC
DISTRICT NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION
Team: Neil Larson and Jill Fisher (LFA) Central Street was the principal avenue of Millville's once thriving industrial community located in the Black Stone River Valley in southern Massachusetts. The industries are gone but evidence of the intermingling and interaction of owners, managers and workers is richly portrayed in the district's many distinctive residences. The project involved documenting over 100 contributing features, constituting about half of the old village. The success of the nomination has strengthened the community's commitment to preserving its industrial-era heritage and led to second survey and district nomination. Contact: Margaret Carroll, Chair, Millville Historical Commission, Town of Millville, MA Home: 508-883-7079 Town Hall: 508-883-8433 ext. 3 |
