Rye Meeting House: Sustainable Preservation, Ecology and Conservation to be honored

Preservation League Announces Annual Awards

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Rye Meeting House in Progress, Walter Sedovic Architects

ALBANY, NY (04/27/2015)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State has selected Rye Meeting House: Sustainable Preservation, Ecology and Conservation in Westchester County to receive an award for Excellence in Historic Preservation.

The League's statewide awards program honors notable achievements in retaining, promoting and reusing New York State's irreplaceable architectural heritage.

"The transformation of the once-neglected Rye Meeting House illustrates the importance of history to the citizens of Rye," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "From use as a house of worship by Methodist and Episcopal Congregations and Quaker Meetings, through its decline at the turn of this century, to its rebirth under the stewardship of a local not-for-profit group, this small building has weathered many storms – literally and figuratively. Now, the Rye Meeting House is once again a vibrant community center, and better prepared to withstand the challenges of a changing coastal environment."

The project team included Walter Sedovic and Jill Gotthelf of Walter Sedovic Architects; Anne Stillman, President, Committee to Save the Bird Homestead; Hon. Frank J. Culross, City Manager, Rye; Edward Stanley, Edward Stanley Engineers; Alison Beall, Marshlands Conservancy; Thomas P. Clemmens, Clemco Construction & Restoration and Vladimir P. Blaise, Mace Contracting Corp. The project received public funding and support from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Save America's Treasures; the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Environmental Protection Funds; and the City of Rye.

Rye Meeting House was built in 1830 as a one-room schoolhouse and was moved to its present location in 1867. In 2002, when the City of Rye took ownership, the building was abandoned and in serious disrepair. Now, the foundation, clapboard siding and windows have been repaired, and the building is painted in its historic colors. The roof and clerestory windows have been restored, and the operable windows at the ceiling now provide relief from summertime heat without electricity. The building provides an object lesson in restoration, sustainability and shoreline resiliency.

"Rye Meeting House embodies the phrase 'Good things come in small packages,'" said Walter Sedovic, AIA LEED. "Through the process of its restoration, it has grown more vital as a forum for the region's architecture, natural history and educational communities. Though diminutive, this site resonates with the most profound issues defining preservation today: adaptability, resiliency, sustainability, economy, environmental stewardship and authenticity. It is a jewel, and we are pleased and honored to be associated with it, and with this award."

The awards will be presented at the Preservation League's Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: Daniel Conkling House – Rensselaerville, Albany County; Lafayette Lofts – Buffalo; The Tishman Building – Buffalo; DePaul Carriage Factory Apartments – Rochester; El Barrio's Artspace PS 109 - New York; Pier A Restoration and Adaptive Reuse - New York; Remington Lofts on the Canal - North Tonawanda, Niagara County; and Rye Meeting House: Sustainable Preservation, Ecology and Conservation – Westchester County.

"With our annual awards program, the Preservation League explores not just the present, but the future of historic preservation. Many of the 2015 award winners provide valuable examples for others by incorporating energy efficiency techniques, adaptive reuse strategies and Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits," said DiLorenzo. "Each year, we are impressed by the number and variety of laudable nominations, and this year was no exception. We are delighted to celebrate the ecologically sensitive restoration of the Rye Meeting House, and we commend all members of the project team for their leadership and vision."

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The Preservation League's Excellence in Historic Preservation awards program is funded by a generous grant from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation.

The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth, and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs all across the state.