New York
NY-03
Tom Suozzi
Democrat
Historic Preservation Fund:
Do you support stable and robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
Would you support efforts to reauthorize and increase the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
The Historic Preservation Fund must be reauthorized and have consistent funding moving forward. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act.
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives:
Would you support efforts to modernize and enhance the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) program?
Yes
Do you support the Federal Historic Preservation Easement program?
Yes
Historic Preservation Protections:
Would you support policies that ensure that the impact on historic and cultural resources continue to be considered as part of the federal project planning process?
Yes
Does historic preservation play an important role in your state/district? How so? Describe any personal connections to historic preservation or historic sites. Is there a specific historic place in your district that is important to you and your constituents?
Yes, historic preservation plays an important role in my district. I have long fought for the preservation of our historic artifacts and resources on Long Island, in Queens, and across the country.
In 2020, I secured $500,000 of federal funding for rehabilitation of the Roslyn Grist Mill in my district. This funding contributed to restoration efforts that allowed public access back into the historic Grist Mill, which was built between 1715-1741, for the first time in 100 years.
I supported the creation of the federally designated Washington Spy Trail that is meant to highlight the many historic places associated with Washington’s role in the American Revolution on Long Island. The trail, which is located on Route 25A of Long Island’s North Shore and runs directly through my district, was used by General Washington’s Culper Spy Ring during the Revolutionary War to outfox the British.
When I was Nassau County Executive, I supported the repurposing of the Old Nassau County Courthouse into the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building. The building is a historic 2-story courthouse, and then-Governor Theodore Roosevelt laid its cornerstone in 1900.
Since I was Mayor of Glen Cove, my hometown, I have supported the repurposing and preservation of many historic buildings, including Glen Cove City Hall, the police station, and the 1907 Glen Cove Courthouse, which is now the North Shore Historical Museum.
Finally, Sagamore Hill, a National Historic Site which was once home to former President Theodore Roosevelt, is located in New York’s Third District. I have visited this site many times, and President Roosevelt’s leadership and legacy, felt so tangibly at Sagamore Hill, has inspired me throughout my life.
Economic development and infrastructure revitalization are high priorities both for my district and for the nation. Historic resources and neighborhoods are oftentimes key elements in creating economically and socially vibrant communities. I will fight to protect our rich history and keep historic sites alive.
NY-12
Michael Zumbluskas
Republican
Historic Preservation Fund:
Do you support stable and robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
Would you support efforts to reauthorize and increase the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
As a vital insitution in support grants and awards preserving historical resources and places I think it is importaint to maintain this tradition.
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives:
Would you support efforts to modernize and enhance the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) program?
Yes
Do you support the Federal Historic Preservation Easement program?
Yes
Historic Preservation Protections:
Would you support policies that ensure that the impact on historic and cultural resources continue to be considered as part of the federal project planning process?
Yes
Does historic preservation play an important role in your state/district? How so? Describe any personal connections to historic preservation or historic sites. Is there a specific historic place in your district that is important to you and your constituents?
Yes the The Firemen’s Memorial (1913) in Riverside Park on the upper west side of Manhattan. Is one of the most impressive monuments in New York City. The monument was designed by H. Van Buren Magonigle (1867-1935), and its sculptures are attributed to Attilio Piccirilli (1866-1945).
NY-16
George Latimer
Democrat
Historic Preservation Fund:
Do you support stable and robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
Would you support efforts to reauthorize and increase the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives:
Would you support efforts to modernize and enhance the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) program?
Yes
Do you support the Federal Historic Preservation Easement program?
Yes
Historic Preservation Protections:
Would you support policies that ensure that the impact on historic and cultural resources continue to be considered as part of the federal project planning process?
Yes
Does historic preservation play an important role in your state/district? How so? Describe any personal connections to historic preservation or historic sites. Is there a specific historic place in your district that is important to you and your constituents?
History plays an extremely important role in my district. Residents are very proud of the historical legacy of Westchester and the East Bronx – once the homeland of the Lenape people, later settled by the Dutch and the English; site of key Revolutionary War actions (the Battle of White Plains and the capture of Major Andre), home of great Americans like Thomas Paine, John Jay, Washington Irving, and Madam C. J. Walker, and the place of great engineer achievements like the New York Central Railroad, the New York City Water Supply System and America’s first limited-access highway (the Bronx River Parkway). My district is the inspiration for free elections and freedom of the press (Eastchester Green, 1733) and the birthplace of the State of New York (White Plains, 1776).
As Westchester County Executive, I have made preservation and stewardship of the County’s assets a key tenet of my tenure. When I came into office in 2018, many of the county’s historic buildings and properties had suffered years of neglect in maintenance and investment. As County Executive, I reestablished the Historic Preservation Advisory Council, which advises the Planning Department on county properties. The following are details on the preservation and restoration of specific historic properties under my leadership:
Miller House – The colonial era home of Elijah and Ann Miller was used by Gen. George Washington during the Battle of White Plains and is one of the first sites of Methodist church services in Westchester. The 2,978 square foot Rhode Island style farm house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places had closed in 2007 and fallen into disrepair. In 2020, the county spent $3.5 million on extensive restoration of the building roof, framework, chimneys and foundation, as well as site work on the surrounding property.
Merestead – The former estate of the Sloan and Patterson families. The 130 acre property consists of farmland, woods, gardens, and multiple buildings including a 1906 Georgian Revival house designed by Delano and Aldrich, and a 19th century farmhouse that predates the estate. Under my leadership, the county worked with the NYS Attorney General’s Office to lift restrictions and free up funding for investing in the property to maintain its historic character. Concurrently, the county spent $4 million to restore the Georgian Revival House. The county is next in design for restoration of the farmhouse, investing $1.5 million.
Muscoot Farm – A 777-acre interpretive farm and one of the most popular parks in the county system. The property was once a gentlemen’s farm owned by the Hopkins family from 1880 until 1967. A $3.6 million capital project was recently complete on the historic house including restoration of columns, siding, windows, roof, railings and terraces, interior work on windows, doors, walls and floors, and painting the interior and exterior. Another $10.2 million capital project is underway for additional site improvements.
Playland Park – A designated National Historic Landmark was the first planned amusement park in the United States, opening in 1928. During my administration, over $100 million was dedicated to a historic reconstruction of its art deco architecture. This work also included reconstruction of the historic Carousel (1915) and Derby Race (1927) rides, both with figures hand carved by Charles Carmel.
Wightman Mansion at Lenoir – Dates from the mid-1800s, with wings added in the early 1900s. The mansion was donated to the county in 1965, adding to the Lenoir Preserve. When I first entered office, immediate emergency work was needed for a temporary roof repair to address water leaks into the unheated interior. This was followed up with a full restoration project including restoration of windows, doors, roof, gutters, soffits, chimney and stone facade repointing, and upgrades to the HVAC system.
Tarrytown Lighthouse – One of the most well known Westchester landmarks, built in 1883. It is a “spark-plug” lighthouse, whose superstructure rests on a concrete and metal caisson, and was also once a residence. After the Tappan Zee Bridge was built, the lighthouse was considered obsolete and taken out of service in 1961. Under my administration, a $3.4 million capital restoration project was undertaken, including exterior repairs and repainting, addressing caisson cracks, window and door replacement, cleaning and re-pointing of the foundation masonry, refurbishing the interior plaster and painting finishes, and restoring the wood floors. With the work completed, the lighthouse can now be toured.
Lasdon Park & Arboretum – The country estate of William and Mildred Lasdon. The family donated the 22-acre Mildred Lasdon Bird and Nature Center to the county in 1976, and the county purchased the rest of the property in 1986 to maintain the open space and preserving the formal grounds. The property also contains the Westchester County Veterans Museum with a Trail of Honor containing multiple war memorials. Under my administration, renovation of the exterior and interior of the Colonial Revival-style main house was completed.
Hilltop Hanover Farm – One of the last farms in the Yorktown area that once was covered in farmland, was purchased by the County in 2003. After years of neglect, I implemented the development of a Master Plan for the property. Work is about to commence on restoration of the historic farmhouse which dates back to the 1700s.
NY-20
Paul D. Tonko
Democrat
Historic Preservation Fund:
Do you support stable and robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
Would you support efforts to reauthorize and increase the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives:
Would you support efforts to modernize and enhance the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) program?
Yes
Do you support the Federal Historic Preservation Easement program?
Yes
Historic Preservation Protections:
Would you support policies that ensure that the impact on historic and cultural resources continue to be considered as part of the federal project planning process?
Yes
Does historic preservation play an important role in your state/district? How so? Describe any personal connections to historic preservation or historic sites. Is there a specific historic place in your district that is important to you and your constituents?
Yes. Our local national heritage areas are valued economic drivers and local historic treasures for countless communities all across America. These sites, including our own Erie Canalway, are lasting investments that have generated jobs and tourism for generations in our Capital Region and beyond. They hold unique value as places that connect us with our past and reveal the threads that connect that history with our present day, including voices of our past that have been overlooked and are ready to be rediscovered by local students, historians and other enthusiasts. Helping these sites manage themselves through the current crisis will help put the surrounding community on stronger footing to persevere and eventually rebuild.
NY-21
Paula Collins
Democrat
Historic Preservation Fund:
Do you support stable and robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
Would you support efforts to reauthorize and increase the Historic Preservation Fund?
Yes
We need to fund and encourage the preservation of our buildings, lands, and waterways.
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives:
Would you support efforts to modernize and enhance the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) program?
Yes
This tax credit can provide an incentive for a developer to improve a building, rather than find elsewhere to develop.
Do you support the Federal Historic Preservation Easement program?
Yes
Historic Preservation Protections:
Would you support policies that ensure that the impact on historic and cultural resources continue to be considered as part of the federal project planning process?
Yes
Does historic preservation play an important role in your state/district? How so? Describe any personal connections to historic preservation or historic sites. Is there a specific historic place in your district that is important to you and your constituents?
My district includes historic battlegrounds and buildings that date back to the Revolutionary War.