Governor Adds Edmeston and Deposit Sites to Historic Register

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended adding 14 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.

The Rutherford House in Edmeston  is a large wood-frame residence was built ca. 1868 for Dr. William M. Spencer, a medical doctor and town supervisor, and later had commercial success as a popular local hotel for the community, especially those utilizing the railroads through the area from 1889-1910.  It is an intact example of the Italianate style.

The First Presbyterian Church of Deposit  was built in 1880,.  It was designed by architect Lawrence B. Valk (1838-1924) of New York City, an important designer of Protestant churches who specialized in the auditorium plan church - which featured open plans, curving pews, radiating aisles, and sloping floors to minimize the distance between the congregation and the preacher.

"These storied sites represent exceptional and fascinating pieces of New York's rich and diverse history," Governor Cuomo said. "Adding these properties to the State and National Registers of Historic Places would ensure they have the funding they need so we can protect, preserve and promote them in all of their full glory for present and future generations of New Yorkers."

State and National Registers listing can assist property owners in revitalizing buildings, making 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 of historic commercial properties and tens of millions 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 nominations.