The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica

Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future

The Leading Voice

Since 1974, Landmarks has been the leading voice for the preservation and restoration of historic, irreplaceable buildings, districts and sites in the Greater Utica Area.

We value the architectural richness of these structures, the special character they give to our neighborhoods and communities, and the contributions they make to our area’s economy, culture and quality of life.

Landmarks has played an active role in such projects as the rejuvenation and transformation of Union Station into a regional transportation and municipal center; saving 3 Steuben Park and maintaining the architectural integrity of the Rutger-Steuben Historic District; the professional restoration of Frederick William MacMonnies' Swan Memorial Fountain on the Olmsted designed Parkway; and the 2004 reopening of the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center’s “Old Main” building as the Records Archive for the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Our members represent all ages, professions and walks of life – but come together to share a common enthusiasm for historic buildings, to raise public awareness of their importance, and advocate their protection and reuse in a variety of ways.

Action, Activity, Communication

The Landmarks Society —

• Owns Rutger Park
  In 2008, Landmarks became the owners of the mansions at Number 1 and Number 3 Rutger Park. We are currently in the second phase of the Rutger Park Restoration Project. Get the latest on our blog site.

• Organizes and Supports Efforts to Save Endangered Buildings
  We identify and publish an annual list of architecturally and/or historically significant local buildings in danger of being lost through deterioration or neglect. The list — “Buildings Worth Saving” — is published in our newsletter and distributed to the media. Our attempts to save these properties involve participating in their clean-up, working with municipalities in their stabilization, and encouraging and advising owners toward their preservation and restoration.

• Advocates for Preservation
  Landmarks is an active participant in Local, State and Federal efforts to make preservation a national priority through advocacy, outreach and education. Our efforts include offering public testimony, informing and mobilizing our members to take individual action, and providing briefing books on legislation such as Historic Tax Credits, Land Banks and funding programs.

• Holds Informative Meetings
  We offer educational lectures, events and programs about historically significant buildings and districts, and preservation efforts in and beyond Greater Utica.

• Assists Boards and Commissions
  We provide education, training and project assistance to our local Scenic & Historic District Commission and to City and County Planning, Parks and Economic Development departments. We also evaluate and comment on development proposals for their impact on historic resources.

• Informs and Educates
  Our Speaker's Bureau makes presentations to community and school groups; and conduct walks, talks and bus tours as highlights of the popular Utica Monday Nite series; and our website, blog and newsletter give updates on preservation trends, issues and topics.

• Conducts Trips
  We sponsor educational bus tours to historic sites around Central New York and the Northeast.

• Publishes a Newsletter and Produces and Annual Commemorative Ornament
  The Landmarks Preservationist is published several times a year, keeping members up-to-date on the Society’s activities and related subjects. The Annual Commemorative ornament draws attention to our most significant Landmarks, and the sales help to support Landmarks' preservation efforts.

• Produces Other Informative Literature
  Landmarks sponsors a variety of publications on historic preservation and appreciation, including brochures for self-guided tours of neighborhoods in Utica, Clinton, New Hartford and Barneveld; Utica’s Forest Hill Cemetery; Utica’s outdoor sculpture; a history of the “Old Main” building; and a map depicting hundreds of noteworthy sites across the area. Proceeds help to support the work of the Landmarks Society.

• Aids Historic Preservation Efforts
  We make small grants and provide technical assistance to individuals and groups for the rehabilitation and restoration of historic buildings; assist with research and documentation of local historic properties; and with the preparation of local, state, and federal landmark and district nominations. We can also give advice on the process of selecting a contractor or other professional to work on a heritage building or site.

• Recognizes Preservation Efforts
  We acknowledge the preservation and restoration efforts of individuals, businesses and local governments through an annual awards program.

• Holds an Annual Meeting and Social Event
  We hold an annual membership dinner and election meeting each Fall featuring a keynote speaker prominent in the field of historic preservation.

• Holds and Manages Preservation Easements
  Preservation easements are conservation easements, or a private legal right given by the owner of a property to a qualified nonprofit organization or governmental entity for the purpose of protecting a property’s conservation and preservation values. The main purpose is to protect a property with historic, architectural, or archaeological significance. Typically, a preservation easement protects against changes to a property that would be inconsistent with preservation (such as demolition of historic buildings, inappropriate alterations, or subdivision of land) while sometimes providing a federal tax incentive to the owner for donating the easement.

The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica was chartered by the State of New York on October 25, 1974, as a nonprofit educational corporation to preserve historic buildings and districts in the Greater Utica Area.

Landmarks’ offices are at 1124 State Street, Utica, New York 13502 // 315-732-7376 // info@uticalandmarks.org