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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230391 177 S Broadway Stewarts Demo & Construction Hudson Cultural Services LetterHudson Cultural Services PO Box 124, Lagrangeville NY 12540 914-456-3698 H udsoncultural@gmail.com October 5, 2023 Chuck Marshall Stewarts Shops P.O. Box 435 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Re: 28 Lincoln Avenue, Saratoga Springs Dear Mr. Marshall, Hudson Cultural Services (HCS) submits this letter in response to a letter from the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation dated April 8, 2020 regarding the existing building located at 28 Lincoln Avenue, Saratoga Springs New York. This letter outlines the architectural detail of the building and the history of the occupants of the residence. It’s worth noting that the New York State Historic Preservation Office concluded on January 5, 2023 that the property did not meet the criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has objected to the proposed demolition of the house, on the basis that it may have historical significance. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW The house at 28 Lincoln Avenue is vernacular in style with two architectural elements that have been borrowed from the Greek Revival style. The Greek Revival Architectural style (1825-1880) features a gabled or hipped roof, a cornice line on the main roof with wide trim (entablature), an entry porch supported by columns and/or pilasters, decorative pediments or arches on the windows a transom and side lights around the door (enframent) and classic Greek pediment, either on the gable or porch. i The house at 28 Lincoln Avenue, features a discontinuous frieze across the gable, and simple enframent with a solid transom and narrow sidelights. The characteristic of the Greek Revival style are minimal, and therefore the property does not meet the Secretary of the Interior’s criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to architectural criteria, there are two additional criteria under which a building can be considered eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places: A) if it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or B).if it is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. To determine if 28 Lincoln Avenue qualified under these criteria, the following research was completed. OCCUPANCY OF 28 LINCOLN AVENUE The house located at present day 28 Lincoln Avenue is believed to have been constructed about the year 1881. A map dated that year, does not indicate a structure in that location.ii In 1882, the City directory identifies two vacant houses east of Hamilton Street, and adjacent to private grounds which are west of Broadway.iii The 1884 Sanborn Fire Insurance map does not include the area of present day 28 Lincoln Avenue, but does include the Page | 2 H udsoncultural@gmail.com structure located at 145 Broadway. iv The 1888 “Birds’ Eye View” by Burleigh indicates that a two story wood frame structure has been constructed. v The 1889 Sanborn fire insurance map shows that the structure is a two story wood frame building, with a two story wood frame addition on the south side.vi The façade features a front porch. The 1889 Sanborn map identifies the adjacent property to the east, 145 Broadway, as a boarding house. This map shows that there are two buildings fronting on South Street between Hamilton Street and Broadway. The City directory for the same year identifies the building closest to Hamilton as a vacant house, and the other as “Martha’s Rest.”vii Marth’s Rest was founded in 1894 as a small boarding house for women with small salaries.viii The capacity in the first years is indicated to be that of 25 persons. The City directory identifies Mrs. Alida Stanwood as the superintendent and Mrs. Mary Taylor as the matron. ix In 1898, Martha’s Rest is described as a place to “provide opportunity for rest and recuperation to gentle women who are self-supporting under low salaries or out of work.” The rental terms were $4.00 per week for women not earning more than $8.00 per week. x The Saratoga Springs City Directories provide information about the occupants at 28 Lincoln Avenue, up to 1960. The following information pertaining to the occupants of the building at 28 Lincoln Avenue, are listed in the table below.xi Year Address Owners/ Function 1884 South St., between Hamilton and Broadway “Martha’s Rest” 1897 South St., between Hamilton and Broadway “Martha’s Rest” 1901 14 Lincoln “Martha’s Rest” Mrs Mary Taylor 1904 Lincoln, between Hamilton and Broadway John Hayes 1905 26 Lincoln Ave William E. Scriptor, Trainman (D&H RR), residence 1916 26 Lincoln Ave William E. Scriptor 1924 26 Lincoln Ave William E Scriptor, Night watchman, U.S. Hotel, residence (only) 1928 28 Lincoln Ave “The Sunrise” Gene & Morris Sandson, Mrs. Kate Horowitz proprietors (Rooming House) 1929 28 Lincoln Ave “The Sunrise”, Mrs. Mary Hayes. 1939 28 Lincoln Ave Mrs. Catherine Potter 1934 28 Lincoln Ave Mary S. Hayes, Catherine Potter, widow Ernest 1942 28 Lincoln Ave Mrs. Catherine Potter. 1944 28 Lincoln Ave Mrs. Catherine Potter. 1946 28 Lincoln Ave Raymond E and Harriet Connolly, Rooms 1950 28 Lincoln Ave Mrs. Ina A. Eddy, Residence, antiques. 1958 Not listed Vacant(?) 1960 28 Lincoln Avenue Vacant Page | 3 H udsoncultural@gmail.com In addition to the research completed pertaining to the occupants of 28 Lincoln Avenue, HCS completed some background research on Delia A Morris, who “paid taxes on a lot on South Street, prior to 1888.” xii In 1876, Mrs. D. A. Morris, is shown on the Cramer map as owning a parcel of land with a house on the southwestern side of the intersection of South Street and Broadway. xiii The 1860 Federal Census lists Wiliam U. Morris (45 years of age) and Delia A. Morris (age 25 years) living in the Fifth Ward of the City of Troy, and residing with their children, Hannah (Anna) L., (age 7 ) and Clarence (age 5) and a servants Jane (last name ineligible) and Harrietta (no last name given).xiv The 1859-1861 Troy City Directories identify that William Morris resided at Albia Road, and was a physician practicing in New York City. The city directories do not identify an office for William in Troy, nor whether his spouse resided with him.xv In 1865, Delia is listed in the NYS Census as residing in the 3rd District of the City of Saratoga Springs, with her two children.xvi The house is identified as being wood frame and valued at $2000.00. The Morris are sharing a structure with another family, whose name is illegible. The 1870 Federal Census identifies Delia residing with her children, now aged 16 and 14, and has an occupation of “keeping house.” The real estate value of the house is listed as being $20,000.00 and Delia has a personal estate of $2000.00.xvii In the preceding and subsequent years, Delia’s real estate value is not noted, or is considerably less. In the later census’ she is listed as residing with other, and its not clear if she owns the building or rents. In 1872, the Saratoga City Directory indicates that Delia is a widow (of William), and lives at Beekman and Washington.xviii Two years later, in 1874 she is listed as residing at Broadway and South and her son Clarence boarding with her. Anna is not identified in this year’s directory. The 1874 directory identifies the owner of the boarding house as Robert Moscrip.xix The 1875 New York State Census indicates that Delia is living in a brick building that is owned by George Warner, a grocery merchant. By this time her son Clarence is identified as being in law school.xx By 1876, the city directories identify Delia as living at 145 Broadway.xxi In 1880, the Federal Census indicates that Anna L Morris is 25 years of age, and her brother Clarence is 23. Delia, now 54, is listed as “keeping home.” The Morris family is listed as residing at the same house number (173) as six other families, several of whom are identified as boarders.xxii In 1882, Anna and Clarence are still listed as boarders at 145 Broadway in the city directory. Anna L is identified as a teacher, and Clarence as a student.xxiii In 1895, the Morris family is still residing at 145 Broadway.xxiv By 1901, the Clarence and Delia had moved to Troy and reside at number 90 Eleventh Street.xxv In 1903, Delia and her son Clarence are listed as residing at 2285 Sixth Avenue, in Troy NY, and in 1907 on Congress street. xxvi Delia died in 1913.xxvii While Delia may have paid taxes for a parcel on South Street, the historical record indicates that she resided at 145 Broadway, or at a located at Beekman and Washington Streets, during her time in Saratoga Springs. CONDITION AND INTEGRITY Online records identify this building as having been built in 1967. This may be the year that the building was renovated to be a medical clinic. The current owner, Joel Roberts stated that when he acquired the property in the 1980s it had been converted into small bedroom spaces and clinical rooms. He recalls that it was an organization similar to Planned Parenthood. xxviii He began converting the building into rental units, removing interior divisions and upgrading utilities. Currently the house features four apartments. The proposed project includes the demolition of the building at 28 Lincoln Avenue, Saratoga Springs New York. On September 22, 20323, a site visit was made, and the house was photographed (Exhibit B). The exterior of the house features porches that were substantially improved in the 1980’s and the windows have all been replaced. An examination of the construction materials in the basement indicate that the main structure of the house is wood frame, utilized dimensional or milled lumber. The foundation is rough cut mortared stone. There is no evidence Page | 4 H udsoncultural@gmail.com in the basement area that would suggest that the building predates a construction date of 1881-1882. The lumber exhibits saw cuts, evidence of the use of a steam powered mill saw, and is dimensional in size. The use of dimensional lumber indicates that the house was constructed in the late 19th century when mills began producing standard sized lumber for construction. The interior of the house has been substantially renovated throughout the 20th century, due primarily to the variety of uses. The house has been a private residence, a rooming (boarding) house, an antique store, a medical clinic and is currently apartments. The current owner spent the latter portion of the 20th century converting the space from a clinic setting. He removed interior partitions, updated mechanical and plumbing systems, removed a number of sinks and added new windows, as well as improving kitchen spaces and flooring. xxix Overall the structure lacks architectural integrity. The various owners have adapted the interior to meet their individual needs. Very few changes have impacted the exterior, which is vernacular in style, and while there are elements that can be attributed to the Greek Revival period, this structure does not feature the characteristics of a distinctive type. A review of the history indicates that the property changed occupants frequently. William Scriptor, a trainman with the Delaware and Hudson Railroad, lived in the house the longest, nearly twenty-five years. Based on the information gathered, the house at 28 Lincoln Avenue is not considered to meet the criteria necessary to be considered a significant historic property. The house does not meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Criteria A through C. Thank you sincerely for your thoughtful consideration to this matter, and if you requ ire any further information, please do not hesitate to ask. Sincerely, Beth Selig President, Hudson Cultural Services End Notes i Virgina Savage McAlester, “A Field Guide to American Houses, “(Alfred Knoprf, New York, 2018), 247. ii Gollner, E. G., “Gollner's Pictorial View of Saratoga,” Skidmore Saratoga Memory Project, accessed October 5, 2023, https://ssmp.skidmore.edu/document/123. iii“Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1893” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. iv Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York. Sanborn Map Company, Jun 1884, Accessed at the Library of Congress. v Burleigh, L. R., Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 1888. Accessed at the Library of Congress. vi Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York. Sanborn Map Company, Oct. 1889, Accessed at the Library of Congress. vii “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1889” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. viii Directory of Social Agencies of the City of New York, Columbia University Press, 1901, p, 124. ix “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1894” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. x Annual report of the State Board of Charities of the state of New York. v. 32 pt. 2, 1898, Volume 32, Part 2 . (Weed, Parsons and Company, 1899) p. 739. xi “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1885-1960, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on-line]. xii Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, re: letter to Tamie Ehinger, Design Review Board. xiii Louis Cramer, Map of Saratoga Springs. Sheet 7. From Surveys by Louis H. Cramer. Civil Engineer, 20 & 21 Ainsworth Place, Saratoga Springs 1876. xiv “1860, U.S., Federal Census,” Census Place: Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. Ancestry.com Database, Search for: Delia Morris (1835-1913), Accessed September 30, 2023. xv “The Troy Directory, 1859-1861” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on-line]. xvi “1865 Census of the State of New York,” Ancestry.com Database: Search for: Delia A Morris (1835-1913) Accessed October 1, 2023. xvii “1870, U.S., Federal Census,” Census Place: Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. Ancestry.com Database, Search for: Delia Morris (1835-1913), Accessed September 30, 2023. xviii “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1872” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. xix “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1874” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. xx “1875 Census of the State of New York,” Ancestry.com Database: Search for: Delia A Morris (1835-1913) Accessed October 1, 2023. xxi “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1875” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. xxii “1870, U.S., Federal Census,” Census Place: Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York. Ancestry.com Database, Search for: Delia Morris (1835-1913), Accessed October 2, 2023. xxiii “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1882” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. xxiv “Saratoga Springs, New York, City Directory, 1895” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on- line]. xxv “The Troy Directory, 1901” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on-line]. xxvi “The Troy Directory, 1903-1907” U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Ancestry.com. [database on-line]. xxvii New York Department of Health; Albany, NY; NY State Death Index, Ancestry.com. [database on-line]. xxviii Joel Roberts, Personal communication with author, September 22, 2023. xxix Joel Roberts, Personal communication with the author, September 22, 2023. EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 1 The following historic maps were retrieved from the Library of Congress, David Rumsey Cartography Associates and, Skidmore Saratoga Memory Project. 1. 1876. Louis Cramer, Map of Saratoga Springs. Sheet 7 EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 2 2. 1884. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 3 3. 1889. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 4 4. 1895. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 5 5. 1881. , “Gollner's Pictorial View of Saratoga,” EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 6 6. 1881. Burleigh, L. R., Saratoga Springs, N.Y EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 7 7. 1926. Map of the Marvin Estate Property. Saratoga Springs. (showing buildings on Lincoln Avenue). Drawn by S. J. Mott. EXHIBIT A: HISTORIC MAPS| 8 8. 1954. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS| 1 1. View to the south of the façade of 28 Lincoln Avenue. 2. Oblique view to the southeast. EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS| 2 3. View to the south of the eastern elevation. 4. View to the north of the southern elevation. EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS| 3 5. View to the northwest of the entrance to the basement. The basement does not extend under the addition to the left in the photo. 6. Oblique view to the northwest of the southern elevation. EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS| 4 7. View of the western wall of the basement. . 8. The basement includes building materials from the late 19th and early 20th century. EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS| 5 9. View of stairwell in foyer to second floor. 10. The interior spaces have been substaintially modified. View of second floor bedroom. EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS| 6 11. A drop ceiling was added in the mid-20th century. 12. The interior layout has been substantially modified, converting the space to apartments. EXHIBIT B: PHOTOGRAPHS| 7 13. The third floor is renovated attic space. 14. The landowner recently added a salvaged decorative window.