Architectural

Preservation

In 2006, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Saranac Lake a Distinctive Destination. This small but vital community shared this designation with eleven other model communities located across the country. All earned this distinction due to its commitment to protection of its historic core through historic preservation practice, its dedication to well-managed growth, the viability of its locally owned small businesses, and its accessibility as a walkable community for its residents and visitors.

PRESERVATION PROJECTS

  • Education and outreach about preservation issues.
  • Advocacy on the local level for the preservation of historic structures.
  • Nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Partnering on and administering preservation projects such as the Saranac Laboratory, Bartok Cabin, and Union Depot. Historic Saranac Lake oversaw the restoration of the Depot in 1997-98 with federal ISTEA funds, administered through New York State’s Department of Transportation. 

HISTORIC SARANAC LAKE RESOURCES

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the New York State Historic Preservation Act of 1980 established the National and State Registers programs. The State and National Registers of Historic Places are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites significant in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture of New York and the nation. In 1980, Historic Saranac Lake worked to list over 170 properties on the National Register. Today we are assisting owners of cure cottages to apply to be listed on the National Register.  For more information, contact us.

For additional information about the National Register of Historic Places, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and listings throughout the United States visit: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the National Park Service (NPS.

PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

Tax credits are available to help subsidize approved rehabilitation projects to National Register properties. Homeowners can receive a 20% tax credit. Commercial property owners may be eligible for credits up to 40% of the project cost. See NY State Office of Historic Preservation tax credit information. ​

FUNDING SOURCES

HISTORIC WINDOWS

OTHER RESOURCES

Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH)
Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks (ACNA)
Adirondack History Center Museum/Essex County Historical Society
Adirondack Life Magazine
Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Centers (VIC)
Adirondack Museum
Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)
Adirondack Regional Tourism Council
American Association of State and Local History (AASLH)
Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library Subject Research Guides – Columbia University
Franklin County Historical and Museum Society
Franklin County Tourism
Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau
Medical Museums Association
Museum Association of New York (MANY)
National Park Service
National Trust for Historic Preservation
New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)
New York State Library
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Preserve Net – Cornell University online preservation resource
Preservation League of New York State
Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce
Saranac Lake Free Library
Society for Architectural Historians – Adirondack Bibliography
Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY)
Trudeau Institute
World Health Organization (WHO)
Upstate History Alliance (UHA)
Village of Saranac Lake Community Development Office