May 17 & May 18 - National Register of Historic Places Ceremony at First Presbyterian Church of Newtown - One of NYC's Earliest Congregations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:   Marjorie Melikian, Historian

First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

54-05 Seabury Street,  Elmhurst, NY 11373

(718-897-5668 or 646-338-4772;  or email  mmelikian@aol.com.

Or call Interim Pastor Louis Knowles Wed.- Friday  917-745-7888

 

Elmhurst’s First Presbyterian Church of Newtown (founded 1652) to take part in State-Wide Open House & Celebrate Its Listing on the National Register of Historic Places

Saturday May 17 & Sunday May 18, 2014 

 The 362 year old church, now in its fifth building (1895), and one of the NYC’s oldest congregations, will Participate in New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Program's two day Open HouseWeekend. There will be talks on history & architecture, walking tours, and an unveiling of a National Register of Historic Places plaque. (Building listed Sept. 2013) . 

Founded 1652 in a wilderness that is now Elmhurst, Queens, its pastor and 54 others bought all western Queens from the Native Americans. NY State Archives has a recording of that sale. Although the Elmhurst area has had had 4 different names, it was known as Newtown for most of its history. It has been under 3 governments- Dutch, British & American. Under the British the church suffered for issues of Religious Freedom, with the British Governor driving out our pastor & replacing him with one of his own religion. He arrested visiting Presbyterian pastors. It has suffered for Political Freedom as well, with members working for the cause of Revolution- in what was a Tory town. When the British occupied Newtown for most of the war, they desecrated & tore down the Presbyterian Church of Newtown, after using it first as a prison. Today the church is a multicultural one, reflecting the diversity of Queens. 

The church’s current bell is from 1787, made just after the Revolution and placed in a new 1791 church. That building survived until 1928. The present gothic style Sanctuary was built in 1895, a gift of one man, and features stained glass by Benjamin Sellers & William Ashley, both Tiffany artisans brought from England. They worked 10 years for Tiffany. Furniture is original. The exterior is made of NJ rough brownstone, in 2 colors & has a slate tile roof. It’s huge steeple was lost in1924 when the entire building had to be moved for the widening of Queens Blvd. Before modern methods, the bldg. was raised by pegs onto greased logs. Turned by hand winches it took a year to move. Be sure to see the photos.

The 1894 rotting Gothic wooden doors were beautifully restored in 2013, partly through a Sacred Sites grant. The church is also a Presbyterian National Historical Site. The National Register of Historic Places listing will be celebrated Sunday, May 18 at 12:30 pm with an unveiling of the plaque. All are welcome to join the celebration!!

 

SCHEDULE of EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, MAY 17

OPEN HOUSE:    10:00 am – 4:00 pm. DISPLAY ongoing

Talks on history & architecture 10:30 & 2:30, followed by tour                                   

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR SUNDAY, MAY 18

CHURCH SERVICE Sunday 10:45 am to noon

****NATIONAL REGISTER PLAQUE UNVEILING  Sunday at 12:30 pm

OPEN HOUSE immediately following until 3:30 pm

Talk on history & architecture approx. 1:30

ONGOING DISPLAY OF HISTORICAL PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS

  First Presbyterian Church of Newtown

  Corner of Queens Blvd. & 54^th Avenue 

        (Mailing address: 54-05 Seabury Street)

  Elmhurst, Queens NY 11373

R or M subway to Grand Ave/Newtown, SE exit.  Or Q 58,59,60 bus to Grand Avenue, Elmhurst

Happy Hanukkah! Our Landmarks Elicit Light, Soul, & Miracles

THEN: Rego Park Jewish Center at 97-30 Queens Blvd had its cornerstone laid in 1948. RPJC was designed by Frank Grad & Sons in a Bauhaus variation of the Art Moderne style, by the same firm which designed the Essex House on Manhattan's Central Park South. This photo is from 1950.

NOW: Rego Park Jewish Center proudly stands today, & has been honored by placement on the State & National Register of Historic Places in October 2009.

Happy Hanukkah! Let's celebrate in the name of miracles, and believe in the miracles of achieving preservation success stories to inspire us all. Too much beauty and historic significance is often sacrificed in the name of progress, but it is the gifted creations of mankind and the creations of nature that should withstand the test of time in a physical sense, rather than only existing in our minds or in the history texts. 

This is the Rego Park Jewish Center flickr photoset, and we are thankful that it has been placed on the State & National Register of Historic Places in October 2009 due to our research collaboration and advocacy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157605758107073 

Given this distinctive status, Rego Park Jewish Center is now commemorated statewide & nationally, and the RPJC board has the option of for grants through the NYS Historic Preservation Office, as well as applying for funding through the NY Landmarks Conservancy non-profit's Sacred Sites Program.

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall's "Queens Synagogues National Register of Historic Places Reception," Dec 15, 2009 - Rego Park Jewish Center staff with BP Helen Marshall & Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

We are thankful to our members of Rego-Forest Preservation Council, and our colleagues and friends who volunteer and support us as a community preservation organization.

Rego Park Jewish Center's mosaic mural adorns the Queens Blvd main sanctuary facade, & depicts scenes from the Old Testament. This mural was designed by Hungarian-born artist, A. Raymond Katz, a prominent figure in 20th century Judaic art in America.

  
Let's continue taking the steps towards preserving Rego Park, Forest Hills, and the great legacy of our neighboring communities.  

RPJC's sanctuary has 2 walls of stained glass windows which span the height of the sanctuary, & were also designed by the famed A. Raymond Katz.

Celebrate the "Festival of Lights," and seek and embrace miracles year-round. May there always be light!

Religious Sites Open Doors Statewide on May 21 & 22 - Happy 25th Anniversary, Sacred Sites Program!

Mark your calendars! On 5/21 & 5/22, YOU are invited to tour numerous religious institutions, as part of The NY Landmarks Conservancy's State-wide Open House Weekend.  

Religious institutions which received Sacred Site grants &/or Lucy G Moses Preservation Awards for their restoration, will participate. The Sacred Sites Program is having a 25th Anniversary celebration, so what better way to celebrate with the public, who has played a major role in the process for a quarter of a century?!?!

Take these religious sites as case studies, & most of all, enjoy this rare state-wide tour with your family & friends. For more information, visit The New York Landmarks Conservancy's website:

http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/lectures_and_other_events/25th_anniversary_of_sacred_sites_program_open_house_weekend 

http://www.nylandmarks.org/pdfs/events/Alphabetized_open_house_rsvps_5-5-11.pdf 

Landmarking Restores Church of The Resurrection: A Case Study!

Church of The Resurrection Episcopal, Richmond Hill/Kew Gardens, circa 1910, courtesy of KewGardensHistory.com

The Church of The Resurrection Episcopal in Kew Gardens has a new chapter in its history text! It is a case study showing how State & Federal Landmarking served as a catalyst for historic commemoration and funding for restoration work. It now has a new roof, and there's no reason why the church cannot live on for another 137 years!

 According to the Forest Hills Times, "The church was able to replace the roof thanks to a $10,000 grant from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, which was given to the church because it is both a state and federal historic site. A $250,000 matching grant was also awarded to the church by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation."

The article then explains, "While in the process of replacing the roof, the main stained-glass window, which features four archangels, was found to be in bad shape. The window was carefully removed, restored and reinstalled."

http://foresthillstimes.com/bookmark/13197347/article-Church+of+the+Resurrection+gets+a+new+roof

Landmarks are cornerstones of all communities. It requires teamwork and creativity to preserve, and adaptively and creatively reuse them, if a site has to accommodate a new use. 

If you have an interest in exploring such landmarking and funding incentives, please e-mail unlockthevault@hotmail.com 

Which other historic religious and non-religious sites are on your wish list for a similar restoration?

Landmark Campaign for Forest Hills Tennis Stadium: Diversity of Support Letters & How You Can Help

The Forest Hills Tennis Stadium is the heart of the West Side Tennis Club, as stated in a vintage Holiday magazine feature.

Since July 23, 2010, Rego-Forest Preservation Council has launched an ongoing letter campaign to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, urging a most democratic public hearing and landmarking for the endangered Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. Not only would it preserve a historic site in terms of tennis, music, and architectural firsts, but city, state, and federal landmarking would have financial benefits for restoring the historic stadium, which would then tie into the long-term historic appeal and economic benefits of the West Side Tennis Club and greater community. Landmarking is a must-have!

***This is the landmark letter campaign link, which you still have the power of participating in, by composing a letter of support, even if it's brief. Also, forward this post to friends, encouraging them to do the same. Base it upon the following:

http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/2010/07/save-forest-hills-tennis-stadium.html

Below is a handful of landmark support letters, representing the diversity of prominent figures, residents, tennis, art, and preservation organizations. More to appear on this blog in the coming days....

10/6/10 Landmark Support Letter from Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe:
http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/2010/10/jeanne-moutoussamy-ashe-says-landmark.html

9/9/10 Landmark Support Letter from Peter Pennoyer Architects: http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/2010/09/landmark-support-letter-from-peter.html

9/2/10 Landmark Support Letter from The New York Landmarks Conservancy:

Dear Chairman Tierney:

The Conservancy joins local elected officials in requesting that the Landmarks Preservation Commission evaluate the West Side Tennis Stadium in Forest Hills, to determine if it should be designated as an Individual Landmark.

The arena has been home to pivotal events in the history of tennis and NY tennis in particular, since it opened nearly 100 years ago. As this year's US Open gets underway, we're reminded of the many famous matches played for over 50 years, when the Open was known simply as "Forest Hills."

We acknowledge that the Stadium has not been used to its full advantage since the Open left, and that some features may be in poor condition, but the overall volume is unchanged from its most significant era. Protected by landmark designation, it could be restored and re-used to its best potential use, as a sports and entertainment complex.

The West Side Tennis Stadium embodies the vibrant tennis culture which flourished in the 1960s and 70s, and is a monument of NY's social history. We urge the Commission to work quickly to study and evaluate the West Side Tennis Stadium.

Yours Truly,

- Peg Breen, President, The New York Landmarks Conservancy

8/16/10 Landmark Support Letter from the American Institute of Architects:

Dear Chairman Tierney,

Given the circumstances surrounding the possible sale of the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium for development, the Preservation Committee of the Queens Chapter of the American Institute of Architects encourages the Commission to calendar a hearing as soon as possible, to consider the merits of the Tennis Stadium for designation as a NYC Landmark.

In our opinion, it has true value in its historical significance as the home of the United States Tennis Open Championship from 1923 to 1977.

We believe the Stadium alone and as part of the greater West Side Tennis Club complex - a storied venue in the annals of tennis history - stands as a symbol of past glory and sporting firsts, and that it should be celebrated as a source of civic pride, not only by residents of Forest Hills, but by all New Yorkers, and forever be preserved as an example of our city's 20th century heritage.

Should a hearing be scheduled, please note that the Preservation Committee of the Queens AIA wholeheartedly endorses designation of the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium as a NYC Landmark.

Sincerely,

- Laura Heim, AIA Queens President
- Kevin Wolfe, AIA Queens Preservation Committee
- Michael Almon, AIA Queens Preservation Committee

Historic Preservation Funds Available

Rego-Forest Preservation Council received an e-mail from the NY Landmarks Conservancy, and we consider this a must-read for property owners in need of funding for their historic properties, and for community preservation advocates:

As you may know, the New York Landmarks Conservancy is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and reusing architecturally and historically important buildings in New York City. Much of the Conservancy’s work takes place in low and moderate income neighborhoods, demonstrating over and over again the positive effect of historic preservation on community development and revitalization. Through its Neighborhood Preservation Programs, the Conservancy has provided millions of dollars in grants and low-interest loans, as well as countless hours of project management and technical assistance, to owners of all types of buildings.

There are funds available in our Neighborhood Preservation Programs to help finance exterior (and interior structural) capital work and related costs on older buildings. The properties need not be designated landmark buildings in all cases, as the funding programs have different guidelines. All of the programs are accompanied by project management assistance to foster landmark quality work and facilitate public approval processes. The Neighborhood Preservation Programs are:

1. Historic Properties Fund – A revolving loan fund for any type of property or owner. Low interest, collateralized loans for preservation work on buildings that are officially landmarks, within historic districts, or eligible for listing in the State or National Register of Historic Places. (Conservancy staff can help you to obtain this determination from the State Historic Preservation Office; it involves little further public regulation or compliance cost.) Loans range from $20,000 to approximately $300,000 per project.

2. City Ventures Fund – A grant program for nonprofit owners/developers of properties that serve lower income people. Although there is a priority for projects that provide affordable and special needs housing, properties that provide services to lower income people, such as employment training, socials services, and other educational purposes, are also eligible for funding. Capital grants of up to $30,000 are available for preservation work on older buildings that generally do not have any landmark status but have good architectural quality and integrity; consulting grants of up to $10,000 are available for professional services.

3. Emergency Preservation Grants – Capitalized by The New York Community Trust, a grant program for nonprofit owners of historic properties for emergency repair work. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for immediate work that addresses public safety, water penetration, or other issues that threaten the preservation of the property.

In addition to the Neighborhood Preservation Programs, the Conservancy also provides city and statewide matching grants specifically for houses of worship (Sacred Sites Fund). Visit our website at http://www.nylandmarks.org/ for more information about our programs. Please call me or any of the people listed below to see if your project may be eligible for one of our programs.

Thank you,

- Karen Ansis
Fund Manager, New York Landmarks Conservancy
karenansis@nylandmarks.org

One Whitehall Street, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10004
http://www.nylandmarks.org/
Tel: (212) 995-5260 Tel
Fax: (212) 995-5268 Fax

Program Coordinators:

Ashley Hahn: ashleyhahn@nylandmarks.org
Jim Mahoney: jamesmahoney@nylandmarks.org

A Must-Attend Free Event on 12/7: Coffee Talk with Karen Ansis, NY Landmarks Conservancy's Funding Programs

Monday Morning Coffee Talk with Karen Ansis
New York Landmarks Conservancy Neighborhood Preservation Programs

When: Monday, December 7, 2009 at 8:30 AM

Where: Neighborhood Preservation Center
http://www.neighborhoodpreservationcenter.org/
232 East 11th Street, Manhattan

Maintaining and restoring historic buildings is crucial to preserving our neighborhoods for the future. Come to HDC’s December Coffee Talk and learn about the various financial and project management assistance programs available through The New York Landmarks Conservancy to assist individuals, businesses and non-profits in this effort.

Karen Ansis, who manages the Conservancy’s revolving loan fund for restoration work on all types of buildings, as well as grant programs for non-profit organizations, will explain her organization’s neighborhood preservation initiatives. Karen will discuss the guidelines for each program, application procedures, how low-interest loans work, and other types of assistance available. She will also highlight some of the successful projects they have recently completed. Come join us and learn if you might qualify for assistance to restore your historic property!

This event is FREE to the public. Reservations are required, as space is limited. For more information, please contact Lauren Belfer, HDC’s community coordinator, at (212) 614-9107 or lbelfer@hdc.org

Also, please contact Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chairman Michael Perlman if you are interested in attending &/or learning more about preservation funding programs for property owners: unlockthevault@hotmail.com  After gathering parties of interest, information will be communicated to the appropriate parties.

The Neighborhood Partners Program is sponsored, in part, by Deutsche Bank, Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Assembly Members Jonathan L. Bing, Deborah J. Glick, Richard N. Gottfried and Daniel J. O’Donnell, and State Senators Thomas K. Duane, Liz Krueger & Diane J. Savino.

You're Invited: "Preservation is Sustainability Panel — How To Make Your Historic House More Energy Efficient," November 12 from 6-8 PM

Rego-Forest Preservation Council proudly recognizes the NY Landmarks Conservancy in their preservation mission, which ties into "going green." Some local neighborhoods that may benefit & immediately come to mind are the 72nd Ave/Roman Ave Neo-Renaissance rowhouses between Austin St & Queens Blvd in Forest Hills (dating back to the founding of Forest Hills in 1906), the Rego Park Crescents, the "Real Good" District bounded by 63rd Dr & Eliot Ave in Rego Park, the Forest Hills Gardens, the Cord Meyer section of Forest Hills, the Wolosoff Brothers District east of Yellowstone Blvd & south of Austin St (commonly referred to as Forest Hills South), Van Court section, Forest Close & Arbor Close, and more. For a determination of your home's historic integrity, please ask the Rego-Forest Preservation Council for voluntary assistance, which will put you in touch with field professionals, and ultimately save your home preservation-wise, energy-wise, & on related finances. The following event is a necessity!

From NY Landmarks Conservancy:

Sustainability doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Buzzwords like “greenscape,” “lo-energy” or “LEED” can enthuse and confuse owners of older buildings, leaving them unsure how to maintain their properties, or under the impression that “green” building is only for new construction. Sustainability also triggers a wide range of questions, from the broad policy implications of re-using buildings and re-investing in our communities, to the calculations of embodied energy in existing materials, to practical matters such as whether or not to install new windows, green roofs or solar panels.
 
To ensure that preservation basics are not lost, the NY Landmarks Conservancy presents “Preservation is Sustainability: How to Make Your Historic House More Energy Efficient.” Please join the NY Landmarks Conservancy to hear from a group of preservationists and architects, who will provide a critical framework and practical advice on sustainability in historic houses. These professionals will discuss their own experiences, highlighting what is successful and what should be re-thought, and will answer questions from the audience.

When: Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Where: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn

Speakers:

Walter Sedovic, AIA LEED, Principal & CEO, Walter Sedovic Architects, moderator
Christine Benedict, R.A. ARCHITECTURE AND ENERGY LIMITED
William Neeley, Deputy Director, Preservation, Landmarks Preservation Commission
Rebecca Williams, Program Officer, Northeast Regional Office, National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Tickets: $5.00. Registration Required. Contact Meral Agish at meralagish@nylandmarks.org or call (212)995-5260 to register.

For over 35 years, the NY Landmarks Conservancy has promoted the benefits of historic preservation, and has become a trusted advocate for preservation policy. In addition, their unique financial assistance and expert technical advice have won national recognition. Since 1973, the Conservancy has provided more than $30 million in low-interest loans and grants, accompanied by countless hours of pro-bono technical assistance to countless property owners, non-profits, and caretakers of religious buildings for the maintenance and restoration of historic properties. For more information: www.nylandmarks.org