The Adirondack Rural Revitalization Program is supported in part by a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Like in the first round, we had many more applicants than we could fund, all strong projects from individuals, municipalities and organizations seeking to rehabilitate or restore their publicly-accessible historic buildings. AARCH awarded $108,382 to four projects in four counties: Warren, St. Lawrence, Essex and Franklin.

¯ The Richards Library: Chimney Cap Restoration, Warrensburg, Warren County, $14,985

The Richards Library sits in the middle of the Warrensburg National Register Historic District and serves as a vital community hub. The library offers free Wi-Fi; a community room for classes, activities, and meetings; in addition to books, computers, movies, educational programs, and more. The ARRP-funded chimney repairs, including replacement of the chimney cap in-kind, will ensure that this important public community space remains available for years to come.

¯ Stevenson Cottage Museum: Priority Building Repairs, Saranac Lake, Franklin County, $50,000

This 1855 cottage in Saranac Lake was home to author Robert Lewis Stevenson from 1887 to 1888. Since 1916, the Stevenson Cottage Museum has been open to the public, with relatively little financial support. Three generations of family caretakers stewarded the cottage for decades. A new board looks to restore the building, hire staff, and expand programming for a sustainable future. ARRP funding will address the highest priority building repairs, which are being determined by preservation architect Marilyn Kaplan through a conditions report funded by the Preservation League of New York State’s Preserve New York grant program.

¯ Heartwood Studios: Exterior Repairs, Saranac Lake, Franklin County, $3,920

Saranac Lake residents Danielle and Kyle Roddy opened Heartwood Studios in an Italianate storefront within Saranac Lake’s Berkeley Square National Register Historic District to serve as a neighborhood retail hub. Heartwood Studios features local handmade items and collaborates with community organizations and events including ArtWalks, street festivals, and Small Business Saturday. Their storefront generates foot traffic in the heart of the village, and their proposed exterior repairs will visually enhance the building while adhering to preservation principles, adding to the charm and walkability of downtown Saranac Lake.

Adirondack Architectural Heritage is the nonprofit, historic preservation organization for the Adirondack region with a mission to promote better public understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Adirondacks’ unique and diverse architectural heritage.