Westerlo Public Library Receives Preservation Grant

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The Westerlo Public Library has received a Preserve New York grant to complete a Historic Structure Report. The report will help guide the library's plans for the future.

ALBANY, NY (12/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State recently made a grant of $8,400 to support the cost of completing a Historic Structure Report for the Westerlo Public Library at 604 State Route 143 in the town.

The commercial storefront building that houses the Westerlo Public Library has evolved over the last 180 years. Deeds note a house and store on the site as early as 1831. The storefront was built circa 1840 and used almost continuously as a general store, known as the Whitford Store, until 1982. At that time the owner, Harold Bell, donated the store to the town in order for them to create a public library and museum. Turning the general store into the town library and museum was a labor of love for this small town, which carefully documented the transformation in a scrapbook.

This project will be completed by preservation architect Mark Thaler with assistance from architect David Coe. The report will provide measured drawings, include historic paint analysis, and help guide the library's plans for the future, including possibilities for internal reorganization.

"This is truly an honor, and I don't say that lightly," said Sue Hoadley, director of the Westerlo Public Library. "In the past decade, only two public libraries have received Preserve New York grants. The Historic Structure Report that we produce with this grant will allow us to document the historic development of our building, assess its current condition, and plan for the challenge of meeting modern needs in a historic facility. Prominently located on Westerlo's "main street," the former general store tells an important story in the town's history. As the Town of Westerlo prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2015, I can't think of a better gift to the people."

The Preserve New York Grant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. "With the announcement of the 2014 awards, the total support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 is over $1.9 million to 307 projects statewide," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League. "Preserve New York has a strong track record of bolstering local preservation efforts and delivering a strong return on investment."

"At its August, 2014 meeting, the Preserve New York grant program panel selected 15 applicants in 12 counties around the state to share $100,000 in funding," said Erin Tobin, the League's Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs in eastern New York. "As always, the competition for these funds was intense. The Preservation League is delighted to help advance the preservation efforts of the Westerlo Public Library with timely funding from Preserve New York."

Organizations and municipalities receiving grant awards in 2014 are: Albany County: Westerlo Public Library; Chautauqua County: Chautauqua County Historical Society; Columbia County: Town of Livingston; Erie County (2): Elmwood Village Association; Village of Springville; Essex County (2): Fort Ticonderoga Association, Inc.; Town of Westport; Genesee County: LeRoy Business Council; Greene County: Town of Lexington; Montgomery County (2): Village of Fultonville; Village of St. Johnsville; Orleans County: Village of Holley; St. Lawrence County: Town of Russell; Steuben County: Town of Campbell; Sullivan County: Town of Delaware, Hamlet of Callicoon.

For more information on the Preserve New York Grant Program, please call 518-462-5658 or visit the League's website at www.preservenys.org.