2024 Preservation Award Recipients

November 22, 2024
11:36 am

November 22, 2024
11:36 am

Each fall, The Landmark Society presents awards to projects, people, and organizations who, through their dedication and hard work, have contributed to historic preservation in our nine-county area. The 2024 Preservation Awards, presented by The Innovating Edge, were announced at a ceremony on November 17th. A list of recipients is listed below.

For more information, consider becoming a member to receive our quarterly magazine. Our 2024 winter issue features this year’s award winners.

Stewardship Awards

The Stewardship Award recognizes an individual or organization that has provided continued care of and commitment to the preservation of an architecturally and/or historically significant public property over a period of years. “Care” can include appropriate changes to the building fabric. Eligible properties include religious, educational, not-for-profit, commercial or government buildings, structures, objects, or sites.

Dundee Library

32 Water Street, Village of Dundee, Yates County

The community and staff of the Dundee Library have demonstrated ongoing stewardship of the site for over a century. Many of the building’s historic features have been preserved, including its entry portico, brick masonry walls, slate roof, and reading room bookcases. Original windows found by a community member are even proudly displayed on interior walls. The community also continues to work on the site, reconstructing the entry stairs in 2021 and planning on the restoration of the slate roof.

Originally established by a Woman’s Study Club in 1919, the library remains an important site for the village. Beyond books and movies, the library provides access to local historical information, telehealth kits, community space, and a garden. Despite its diminutive size, the Dundee Library functions as an active and dedicated community center for the rural village’s residents, and for their diligent maintenance and upkeep, The Landmark Society honors the Dundee Library with a 2024 Stewardship Award.

East Bloomfield Historical Society

8 South Avenue, Village of Bloomfield, Ontario County

This year’s second Stewardship Award is presented to the East Bloomfield Historical Society for locating and preserving the original Bloomfield burial ground dating to 1793, as well as for the restoration of the East Bloomfield Academy’s 50 impressive windows.

For over a century, the site of the burial ground was a mystery, until town historian Judi Stewart began researching. The burial ground was found on the property of Jim Johnson, who generously donated the land to the Historical Society. They were then able to clear the site, install a period-appropriate fence, erect a memorial, and set up benches.

The Historical Society also worked diligently to restore the windows of the East Bloomfield Academy, removing, repairing, and glazing those that still existed while constructing new windows for boarded up openings. The organization now resides in the Academy building, storing over 7,000 artifacts there and acting as committed stewards of both the building and the nearby burial ground.

Historic Pittsford | The Little House

18 Monroe Avenue, Town of Pittsford, Monroe County

Our third Stewardship Award is presented to Historic Pittsford for their exemplary work in the long-term preservation of the 1819 Little House. The 18’ X 28’ building has had iterations as a lawyer’s office, doctor’s office, private residence, nursery school, bakery, library, and travel agency, but Historic Pittsford took possession of the site in 1967. Now, they have demonstrated tireless stewardship in their decades of care for the building.

In 2019, a successful campaign for funding and a generous bequest enabled the organization to rehabilitate the exterior. Craftsman Steve Jordan worked on multiple windows, while Jim Turner of Honeoye Falls Millwork has been restoring the original front columns, with one remaining. In addition, the roof was repaired, the exterior was repainted, and the interior was decorated in mid to late nineteenth century fashion. Historic Pittsford also added a resource room, as well as a furnace and air conditioner to maintain the preservation of artifacts and furnishings. The organization celebrates its 60th anniversary this coming year, and they will surely be committed stewards of this remarkable little building for many years to come.

Small Business Award

The Small Business Award recognizes small businesses that occupy historic commercial buildings and have demonstrated their commitment to preservation via care, repair, and/or long-term operation at these sites.

House of Guitars
645 Titus Avenue, Town of Irondequoit, Monroe County

Our first Small Business award honors Bruce and Armand Schaubroeck for the long-term ownership and operation of the House of Guitars in Irondequoit’s historic Grange Hall. Originally a gathering space for the farming community, the Grange Hall hosted meetings, performances, and even dances. Over time, however, Irondequoit became increasingly urban, and the farmers’ numbers dwindled. The House of Guitars was started out of the Schaubroeck brothers’ basement in 1964, but it soon took over the Hall in the early 1970s. The store has been an iconic Rochester landmark ever since.

The building’s sprawling footprint hosts multiple floors of instruments, CDs, records, and even includes instrument repair, a music school, and serves as a live music venue. Visitors over the years have included Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Aerosmith, and Tyler the Creator, and the store has truly become a music industry mecca.

Schuber Liquor
373 Park Avenue, City of Rochester, Monroe County

Our second Small Business Award honors current owners Ally and Mike Nulton and former owner Greg Schuber for their continued operation of the oldest business on Park Ave., Schuber Liquor. Opened in 1945, the store has been family-run for four generations, undergoing expansion with each new owner. The store is partly so recognizable because of its bright red neon sign, which has been cared for and present since the store’s opening.

The storefront itself started out at about a fifth of its current size, but rooms were added to the retail space over time. In the early 1970s, the cedar shakes that now characterize the façade were added, and after that, a drop ceiling was removed to allow for the restoration of the front room’s original tin ceiling. More recently, Ally and Mike converted rear office space into a tasting room, updated the checkout counter and lighting, and restored and repainted the exterior.

Schuber Liquor remains a true neighborhood business, with many customers walking to the store and visiting with whatever members of the Schuber family may be there. Their demonstration of commitment to their community through the long-term care of this shop is truly admirable.

WDKX Radio
683 East Main Street, City of Rochester, Monroe County

Our third Small Business Award recognizes Andre and Andria Langston as owners of WDKX, the first Black-owned radio station in the City of Rochester and now the only Black-owned station in the state of New York. Founded by Andrew Langston in 1974, the station is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and has been broadcasting 24/7 since its inception. It even remains in the original family today. The station is the top radio station in all of Rochester and especially stands out as the top station for under-35 listeners.

WDKX broadcasts many genres, as well as informative content. They also host community-focused events, like the Share the Warmth coat drive and Step Jam. The station is headquartered in a historic East Main St. home, and through their continued operation, WDKX has served as an emblem of success for the Black community and Rochester overall.

Blood, Sweat, and tears award

This award recognizes building owners who have physically engaged in the preservation and restoration of their property through self-education and countless hours of do-it-yourself work.

Bradley Huber & Daniel Kanter

6967 Fillmore Avenue, Hamlet of Silver Lake, Wyoming County

This year’s Blood, Sweat, and Tears Award honors Bradley Huber and Daniel Kanter for the in-depth restoration of their 1878 Silver Lake cottage on Fillmore Avenue. After purchasing the 938 square foot, two-story cottage in May of 2022, Huber and Kanter dove into an almost $50,000 renovation. The home, located in the Silver Lake Institute Historic District, was luckily eligible for federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits.

When they purchased the home, it was in complete disrepair to the point that countless animals lived inside. Huber and Kanter leveled and refinished floors, redid the kitchen, constructed a fireplace mantle, painted, put up wallpaper, restored the windows, rehabilitated the exterior, and more. They were the perfect people for the job: Huber’s past restoration work on an Irondequoit bungalow was featured on HGTV, and Kanter is a co-host of the podcast “True Tales from Old Houses” and runs a blog chronicling his exploits as a serial renovator.

Special Commendations

The Special Commendation recognizes projects that do not fit into other categories and/or outstanding individual or group accomplishments in the field of historic preservations.

Geoffrey Zeiner
City of Rochester, Monroe County

Our first Special Commendation honors Geoffrey Zeiner for his diligent and meticulous research for his Gonechester website, showcasing buildings and people from Rochester’s history who are now gone. Zeiner’s research began when he started poring over plat maps to learn more about the history of his own home, but his interest was piqued by forgotten buildings and roads. Using RMSC and Monroe Public Library resources, Zeiner’s research references historic images and monographs of many lost sites. He cross-references countless newspapers, maps, archives, and more to include in his blog posts. The 50 richly illustrated essays on his site include current and historic images, snippets from plat books, and even excerpts from local publications. His exploration of our cultural heritage has done a phenomenal job at revealing our city’s history, preserving that which no longer exists, and for that we honor Geoffrey Zeiner. Click here to visit the Gonechester site!

St. Boniface Church
330 Gregory Street, City of Rochester, Monroe County

Our second Special Commendation recognizes St. Boniface Church for the 2016 relocation and restoration of their 7’ cast iron St. Boniface statue. The statue disappeared from the church in a 1957 fire, but it was rediscovered by Jim Jerris of The Trading Post antique shop in Avon, who generously donated the statue back to the church. At that point, the statue had been painted, had lost the staff from its right hand, and had begun to rust, and engaged parishioners began to pursue the statue’s rehabilitation. LMC Industrial Contractors of Avon restored the statue free of charge, sandblasting the added paint and applying a preservative coating to the surface. They were also involved in the installation of the statue on church grounds, including the placing of supports and a concrete slab for the statue to stand on.

After its reinstallation, however, the statue’s restoration was not quite finished. Thanks to the efforts of parishioner Joseph Pasquarelli, a new staff was crafted by local blacksmith John Grieco, and on January 14th, 2021, the statue was complete. We honor St. Boniface Church for the homecoming and loving restoration of this statue, which stands as a symbol of a resilient and engaged church community.

Patricia Wayne, Town of Irondequoit, & Irondequoit Historical Society

Town of Irondequoit, Monroe County

The third Special Commendation honors Patricia Wayne, the Town of Irondequoit, and the Irondequoit Historical Society for the relocation and restoration of the 1835 Pioneer House, the 1924 Cobblestone Clubhouse, and the 1830 Cobblestone Blacksmith Shop over the course of 13 years.

Under the leadership of former Town Historian Patricia Wayne, a remarkable collaborative effort was made to preserve Irondequoit history. The Pioneer House was relocated from Portland Avenue to the town hall campus and was opened to the public in 1995 following extensive repair and restoration. It now functions as a museum, as does the Cobblestone Blacksmith Shop. In 2008, the Blacksmith Shop was also transported to the town hall campus due to potential damage from water and salt spray at its original site on East Ridge Road. The third building, the Cobblestone Clubhouse, was moved from its Culver Road site to become the centerpiece of the Oscar Roth Lake View Memorial Park near Seabreeze in 2004. The structure was cut away from its foundation before being lifted and secured to steel beams and wrapped in chains to prepare for motion.

These challenging preservation projects are a remarkable legacy that would not have been possible without the dedicated and persistent efforts of Historian Wayne and her collaborators, and they now stand as strong public testaments to Irondequoit history.

Paul Malo Award

The Paul Malo Award recognizes individuals who have been outstanding advocates for historic preservation in their communities. Established in honor of the late Paul Malo, Syracuse University professor, architect, historian, and award-winning author, whose passionate advocacy for New York’s historic resources extended over six decades.

Bill and Barbara Sullivan
City of Rochester, Monroe County

Bill and Barbara Sullivan have been passionate preservationists for over 50 years, especially in the 19th Ward neighborhood. They are responsible for the restoration of four historic homes and the creation of state historic districts in the neighborhood. They also have served as strong community leaders, with both working or volunteering for the 19th Ward Community Association in many capacities.

In addition, Bill served as Chief of Staff on Rochester’s City Council, where he was involved in the preservation-oriented rewrite of zoning district boundaries in 2002. He also sat on the board of The Landmark Society for over 20 years, even serving as Vice President of Preservation, and served on the boards of Hochstein and RBTL during their renovations.

Though Barbara had a career as a nurse, she was an instrumental leader in the 19th Ward, organizing the 19th Ward Home Tours and working tirelessly on many other events and initiatives. Never hesitant to break out her heat gun, Barbara is a renovation expert, and her and Bill’s loving work on their Georgian Revival brick home was even featured on HGTV. For their long-term dedication to historic preservation in their own home and in the City of Rochester overall, the Landmark Society honors the Sullivans.

Jean France Special Achievement Award

This award recognizes the accomplishments of individuals over a lengthy period of time. The award was named in honor of the late Jean R. France, Landmark Society trustee, architectural historian, preservationist, community advocate, and long-time member and chair of the Preservation Awards Committee.

Ann Parks
In memoriam | 1946-2024

Ann Parks joined The Landmark Society in 1969 right out of graduate school, and she remained a staff member for the next 32 years. As Curator of the Campbell-Whittlesey House Museum, the site became the first museum in western New York officially accredited by the American Association of Museums. In 1972, she became Assistant Director for Museum Programs, during which time the Campbell-Whittlesey House The Stone-Tolan Country Fair, children’s and adult classes, and special exhibits were organized under her direction. Later, as Deputy Executive Director of Landmark, Ann supervised four properties and launched a number of initiatives, including our popular long-distance tours, and coordinated our annual House and Garden Tours.

A gifted writer and editor, Ann’s articles were featured in numerous Landmark publications during her tenure. Ann’s research skills and knowledge of architectural history were important for her work on many Historic Resources Surveys and nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Upon her retirement in 2001, Ann continued working as a preservation consultant, with projects including survey work and National Register nominations. An honorary trustee of The Landmark Society, Ann’s ongoing preservation advocacy included her membership on our Awards Committee. She is also a founding member of the Town of Perinton Historic Architecture Commission, of which she has served as Chair for 31 years, having succeeded Jean France in that position. For her lifetime commitment to historic preservation in western New York, we honor Ann B. Parks with this award. Her impact on The Landmark Society and the broader preservation community lives on.

Barber Conable Award

The Barber Conable Award, the our most prestigious award for historic preservation, recognizes a large-scale rehabilitation of a historic building in our region completed within the past two years. This award was created to honor Congressman Barber Conable of Alexander, Genesee County, whose supported the establishment of the Federal Investment Tax Credit Program for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings.

Asbury First United Methodist Church | Community Outreach Center
1010 East Avenue, City of Rochester, Monroe County

This year’s Barber Conable Award honors Asbury First United Methodist Church for the outstanding rehabilitation of a notable East Avenue historic residence as their Community Outreach Center. The multifaceted project is the result of expert teamwork from Asbury, Bero Architecture, DGA Builders, and Catenary Construction Corp. The just under $5 million project overcame numerous challenges to sensitively adapt the site, which now houses numerous disparate programs and provides full accessibility. The meticulous renovation utilized matching materials and excellent craftsmanship, adding a stone terrace, a two-story addition, and a collection outbuilding, and it includes a Welcoming Center for outreach ministries.

In the just over a year and a half since the center opened, they have “provided more than 9,000 meals, 1,000 bags of groceries, 5,000 individuals with clothing and household goods, 300 clinic appointments, 300 loads of laundry, 700 showers, 150 haircuts, and 150 bicycles serviced,” according to the church website. This project serves as an excellent example of creative and thoughtful adaptive reuse, significantly expanding the efforts of the church to provide services and support to those most in need. In all, the Community Outreach Center includes a Dining and Caring Center, a Storehouse for clothing and household items, medical and dental care through the University of Rochester School of Medicine, a Grocery Bag Ministry, and a community garden. Through this immense historic preservation project, Asbury First has become an instrumental site for service and support across the entire city of Rochester.