ALBANY — The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announces recommendations by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation to add 23 properties and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The nominations include an octagonal circus house in Cortland County, an intact Catskills mountain lodge in Ulster County, a railroad focused historic district in Clinton County, and the legendary Holcombe Rucker Park Basketball Court in New York City.
OPRHP Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “This round of nominations reflects the many ways New Yorkers have shaped and cared for their communities, from public housing for veterans, families, and seniors to historic downtowns, neighborhoods, transportation hubs, and basketball courts that document generations of community life. Through the State and National Registers, new research continues to deepen our understanding of New York’s history by expanding and updating historic districts and bringing previously overlooked resources into the story. This work helps ensure that the places we recognize reflect the diverse history and experiences of New Yorkers.”
The nominations were reviewed Sept. 9 at a meeting of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation.
State and National Register listing can assist owners in revitalizing properties, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.
OPRHP Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation Daniel Mackay said, “Each of these nominations adds important context to our understanding of New York’s architectural, social, cultural, and economic history. By bringing forward new information and recognizing a broader range of historic resources, the State and National Registers can better reflect New York’s full history while connecting communities and property owners with resources to support preservation and continued use.”
New York State continues to lead the nation in the use of historic tax credits, with $9.6 billion in total rehabilitation costs from 2019-2025. Since 2006, the historic tax credit program has stimulated over $16.4 billion in project expenditures in New York State, creating significant investment and new jobs. According to a report, between 2019 and 2023, the credits in New York State generated 91,386 jobs and over $1.79 billion in local, state and federal taxes.
The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects, and sites significant in the history, architecture, archaeology and culture of New York State and the nation. There are more than 131,000 historic properties throughout the state listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities, and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the nominations.
Once recommendations are approved by the Commissioner, who serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, the properties are listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed by the National Park Service and, once approved, entered in the National Register. More information, with photos of the nominations, is available on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website: https://parks.ny.gov/