The New York Landmarks Conservancy

The New York Landmarks Conservancy Dedicated to preserving, revitalizing, and reusing New York’s architecturally significant buildings. Learn more about us at http://www.nylandmarks.org/
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The Conservancy’s combination of financial assistance and technical expertise distinguishes us from other, similar groups. We are one of the largest preservation groups in the country, and very few can match our range of nationally recognized programs and resources. The Historic Properties Fund is one of the nation’s largest revolving loan funds used exclusively for historic preservation. It has c

ommitted over $25 million in low-interest loans to more than 240 buildings in all five boroughs. The loans target homeowners in lower and moderate income areas, small apartment buildings and historic facilities owned by non-profit and religious institutions. The Landmarks Conservancy staff provides important project management assistance to assess building needs, develop an affordable financial package, find appropriate architects and contractors, and help ensure successful restorations and repairs. The Emergency Grant Program addresses immediate hazards to landmark properties owned by non-profits organizations. It has underwritten over $545,000 in grants since its establishment in 1999. The Sacred Sites Program — one of the first programs in the country to assist landmark religious properties — provides loans, grants, and technical assistance throughout the State. In addition, the program hosts regular workshops to help congregations with everything from energy conservation to fundraising. The Technical Services program provides expert architectural and preservation advice to property owners, developers, and contractors. Staff members answer hundreds of calls and makes dozens of site visits each year. The City Ventures Fund offers grants and loans to non-profit developers of affordable housing and other services that benefit lower-income communities, in non-landmark, architecturally significant buildings. It has provided over $1.5 million in financial assistance, resulting in the creation of more than 800 affordable apartments. The City Ventures Fund also promotes neighborhood renewal through grants and project management assistance to non-profit community organizations that own historic buildings or rehabilitate older buildings for low and moderate income housing and social service needs. Our grants have helped housing projects supportive of people living with AIDS/HIV and victims of domestic violence, a Lower East Side community center and dozens of other properties.

Sugar houses in New York City were used as prisons by occupying British forces during the Revolutionary War. At least 17...
06/05/2026

Sugar houses in New York City were used as prisons by occupying British forces during the Revolutionary War. At least 17,500 Americans are estimated to have perished under extremely poor conditions of such sugar houses and British prison ships during the course of the war.

The Rhinelander Sugar House on the corner of Rose (now William) and Duane Streets in Lower Manhattan was a five-story brick warehouse. Built in 1763 by William Rhinelander, the structure originally stored molasses and sugar next to his own residence. The old warehouse was replaced by the Rhinelander building, which retained part of the original wall from 1892 to 1968. That building was demolished in 1968 and replaced with the headquarters of the New York City Police Department. The Sugar House Prison Window is tucked away behind the Municipal Building near police headquarters. An original barred window was retained and bricked into a wall on the site. Another section of the building wall was moved to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and is located on the grounds of the Van Cortlandt House Museum.

06/04/2026

The Riverside Church - 490 Riverside Drive, Manhattan - Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award (2026)

Located in Morningside Heights, The Riverside Church is one of the most recognizable religious buildings in New York City. Built between 1927 and 1930, the design was based on French Gothic structures, most closely resembling the 13th-century cathedral at Chartres.

In the years leading up to the Church’s design and construction, there was a revival of interest in medieval, mosaic-style glass. French glassmakers from Reims Cathedral and Chartres, as well as American masters, produced the windows. Inspired by Chartres, the stained glass is set into medieval-style iron frames called ferramenta, an unusual feature in 20th-century American churches.

In 2019, the Church undertook a project centered around the restoration and protection of stained glass windows in the nave. In total, five stained glass studios restored 30 monumental lancet windows, 32 smaller lancet windows, and 12 rose windows. This 6,917 square feet of stained glass, or 662,262 individual pieces of glass. New blackened stainless steel protective glazing frames replicate the complex patterns of the ferramenta. The limestone facade was cleaned and repaired while cracked limestone tracery was treated with surgical micro-grout injections, stainless-steel staples, and hand-crafted stone patches.

PROJECT LIST
The Riverside Church Building Committee
Tanya Dunlap
Shanniel Morrison

Aetna Glass Corp.
Steve Richardson

B&H Art in Architecture
Shijia Chen
Daisuke Kiyomiya

Ceprine Scaffolding
Joseph Cerina

Clagnan Stained Glass Studio, Inc.
Ray Clagnan
Dolores McGuire

Cohoes Design Glass Associates, Inc.
Camilla Francis
Nigel Johnson
Frank Ringwood

Julie L. Sloan, LLC
Julie L. Sloan
Milgo/Bufkin
Scott Kranzler

New Project
Patrick Barth
Roy Lorieo
Dennis Potami

Northeast Stained Glass
James Pinto
Linda Pinto
Erik Walther

Old Structures Engineering PC
Donald Friedman

PRESERV
Chris Donaldson
Jeff MacGregor
Anne McHugh
Gabrielle Zischkau

Republic Scaffold & Hoist Corp.
Fari Hama

Serpentino Stained Glass, Inc.
Domenico Iriti
Roberto Rosa
Maria Serpentino

Shalan Stained Glass, LLC
Glenn Shalan

Walter B. Melvin Architects, LLC
Robert Bates
Anne Hinsman
Tom Rinaldi
Megan Rispoli-Kim
Genny Schiel
Ana Felisa Viana

Westerman Construction Co. Inc.
Phil Seaman
Lloyd Westerman

CREDITS
Video by Gil Gilbert

Special Thanks
The Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, Inc.

06/03/2026

Federal Hall was built in 1700 as the British colonial City Hall. It was the site of George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States. It was home to the first United States Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. Federal Hall was demolished in 1812 and rebuilt in 1842 as the Customs House. Now it serves as a museum and memorial to our first president and the beginning of the United States of America.

In addition to the iconic statue of George Washington on its front steps, the museum frequently displays the actual Bible that Washington used to take the oath of office at his inauguration in 1789. It was printed in 1767 and has been used for other historic ceremonies. The bible was used for the inaugurations of Presidents Warren Harding in 1921, Dwight Eisenhower in 1953, Jimmy Carter in 1977, and George H.W. Bush in 1989. The bible is owned by the New York Freemasons (St. John’s Lodge No. 1) and is on loan to the National Park Service. Washington became a member of the Masons in 1752.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy highlights a different aspect of the City’s distinctive architectural heritage each m...
06/02/2026

The New York Landmarks Conservancy highlights a different aspect of the City’s distinctive architectural heritage each month.

So, in June, as we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we’ll highlight New York’s revolutionary landmarks and their significance in the War of Independence and the founding of our country.

While Boston and Philadelphia generally get the most attention when it comes to Revolutionary War sites, New York has its own noteworthy colonial landmarks, including Bowling Green, Federal Hall, Fraunces Tavern, Morris-Jumel Mansion, Old Stone House, and Conference House, to name a few we’ll explore this month.

Pictured: William Walcutt’s 1857 painting, “Pulling Down the Statue of George III at Bowling Green, N.Y. July 9, 1776,” depicts the destruction of the 4,000-pound gold leaf monument by patriotic colonial soldiers and sailors following a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776. As the story goes, the statue was then sent to a foundry in Connecticut, where they melted the lead into over 42,000 bullets to be used against the British. A few pieces of the statue survived, including the tail of the horse, which you can see at The New-York Historical.

06/01/2026

Remembering the Extraordinary Life  of Ann-Isabel Friedman

All of us at the Landmarks Conservancy are celebrating the talented, enthusiastic, and productive life of our former Sacred Sites Director Ann-Isabel Friendman. We also very much mourn her loss. Ann died Friday after a valiant battle against cancer.

Ann spent 24 years with us. We admired her skilled and tireless advocacy for historic religious properties. And we cherished her friendship. Many colleagues earn respect. Ann was beloved.

Ann traveled the state visiting institutions that applied for a Sacred Sites grant. She loved climbing around buildings and examining rooftops. Her travels led to strong ties with preservation professionals and colleagues across the state. Back in the office, she spent countless hours on the phone with congregations answering questions and offering advice.

She loved her nickname as the “Jewish Church Lady.”

Ann began a citywide survey of religious properties, seeking to identify institutions that could be eligible for our help. She utilized young interns to assist, nurturing them and giving them hands-on experience. The result is an invaluable database of the City’s remarkable and diverse collection of religious architecture.

She initiated workshops on maintaining religious buildings and developing financial capacity. She was a frequent speaker at meetings and conferences.

We awarded Ann a special Lucy G. Moses Award for Preservation Service in 2025. She also received honors from the Preservation League of New York State, the Historic Districts Council, and the State Office of Historic Preservation.

Ann was also a proud and devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister. She cherished her family and was thrilled to have time with Max, her first grandchild.

At her retirement party in 2024, City Council Member Gale Brewer presented an official proclamation honoring Ann’s service to the preservation community. After a listing of her accomplishments, the proclamation concluded: “No document could adequately convey the true impact of this amazing colleague, mentor, and friend, nor the esteem her community holds for her.”

We agree.

Historic Districts Council Preservation League of New York State NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

05/28/2026

Conservancy members enjoyed a guided tour of Church of the Incarnation. Become a member to join future tours!

05/28/2026

Poppenhusen Institute - Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award (2026) 114-4 14th Road, College Point, Queens

The Poppenhusen Institute in College Point is a rare and highly intact civic building dating to 1868, constructed by German immigrant and philanthropist Conrad Poppenhusen as a cultural and educational anchor for the community. Among the defining features are the series of tall, arched window openings that culminate in the Grand Hall’s monumental 20-foot-tall windows.

The building reflects the era’s commitment to public enrichment through architecture, but over time, weather exposure and material aging resulted in deterioration to the building envelope.

All 97 windows have been expertly replaced with custom, double-hung wood windows that replicate original profiles, brickmolds, proportions, and historic finish. Interior work included plaster repair and repainting of window trim to ensure continuity between exterior restoration and interior character. Decorative wood elements at all dormers were rebuilt in-kind, and new flashing was installed to improve long-term performance while remaining visually discreet.

This restoration project has succeeded in preserving the Institute’s historic character while ensuring its continued functionality, accessibility, and long-term durability as a public landmark.

PROJECT LIST
New York City Department of Design and Construction
Diana Conti
Woon Lam
Mia Tan

Poppenhusen Institute

Collado Engineering
George Aspras, P.E.
Mario DiMondo, P.E.

CTA Architects, D.P.C.
Dan Allen
Annie Bodhidatta
Sasa McCabe

LANMARK GROUP, INC.
Gregory Kougentakis
George Manouselakis

Mary Kay Judy - Architectural & Cultural Heritage Conservation

CREDITS
Video by Gil Gilbert

ABOUT THE AWARDS
The New York Landmarks Conservancy has been a leader in preserving, restoring, and reusing New York City’s architectural legacy for over five decades. The Moses Awards are the Conservancy’s highest honors for outstanding preservation work and recognize individuals, organizations, architects, craftspeople, and building owners for their extraordinary contributions to preserving our City.

Poppenhusen Institute

Winner!Megan Rispol-KimGreen-wood, Brooklyn, NYCombining votes from Instagram and Facebook, we have our winner for this ...
05/27/2026

Winner!
Megan Rispol-Kim
Green-wood, Brooklyn, NY

Combining votes from Instagram and Facebook, we have our winner for this year. Thank you to all who participated in the Sacred Sites Open House photo contest.

In honor of the Nonprofit Technical Assistance Grant Program’s (NTAG) 40th Anniversary, we are highlighting some of the ...
05/27/2026

In honor of the Nonprofit Technical Assistance Grant Program’s (NTAG) 40th Anniversary, we are highlighting some of the program’s projects.

The preservation projects at 345 Edgecomb Avenue and 583 Riverside Drive in Harlem, which both function today as low-income housing, were the recipients of the Conservancy’s City Venture Fund grants (now NTAG) in the early 2000s.

Construction on 345 Edgecombe Avenue in Harlem began in 1890, to the designs of William Schickel. Originally created as a residence for Catholic book publisher Nicholas Benziger, the home is an eclectic mix of brick and brownstone, with gabled copper dormers and a unique flared mansard roof. After its use as a residence, it became a hospital, a nursery school and kindergarten, and a hotel.

583 Riverside Drive, also known as Dorothy Day Apartments, provides 70 units of permanent affordable housing and operates an early childhood education center and the Rio II Gallery that displays the work of local artists.

A $25,000 grant from the Conservancy supported the installation of a new clay tile roof at 345 Edgecomb Avenue. A $60,000 grant funded the work for a new cornice at 583 Riverside Drive.

CONSERVANCY PRESIDENT PEG BREEN TO STEP DOWNThank you! - 32 Years of Preservation AdvocacyDear Friends,I will be ste...
05/26/2026

CONSERVANCY PRESIDENT PEG BREEN TO STEP DOWN

Thank you! - 32 Years of Preservation Advocacy

Dear Friends,

I will be stepping down as President of The New York Landmarks Conservancy at the end of this year after a rewarding 32-year tenure. Time, indeed, does fly when you are having fun.

It’s a privilege to be part of this remarkable organization. I have been fortunate to work with dedicated and thoughtful Board and Advisory Council Members and incredibly talented colleagues. I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people throughout the City who care about the buildings, neighborhoods, and institutions that preserve our history, identity, and quality of life. 

There have been many highlights: 
-After 9/11, we participated in formal sessions about the future of Ground Zero and saved the Survivors Staircase, which is now in the 9/11 Museum.

-After Superstorm Sandy, we sped grants to nonprofits damaged by the wind and water.

-We saved the Picasso Curtain, which hung in the Four Seasons restaurant in the Seagram Building, and found it a featured home in The New York Historical. 

-We remained committed to the creation of Moynihan Train Hall through years of delay. 

-We brought national and international attention, and some preliminary help, to the deteriorated hospital buildings on the South Side of Ellis Island in the late 1990s. We’ve been on the board of Save Ellis Island, which cares for the South Side buildings, since its inception.

-We commissioned the first studies of the economic benefits of preservation to the City. Recent data shows that preservation is an important factor in the quest for more housing.

-We managed the only preservation fund created by a Federal Empowerment Zone and disbursed $4 million in grants and loans to Harlem religious and cultural institutions.

-We strengthened our voice on public policy issues in Albany, Washington, and at City Hall.

-We initiated our Living Landmarks Gala, demonstrating that a remarkable range of New Yorkers care about preservation. Our Sacred Sites Open House weekend allows thousands of New Yorkers to explore our incredible array of religious institutions. Our annual Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards now attract 600 persons.

-Our Tourist in Your Own Town videos have been viewed over 600,0000 times by people in this country and around the world. 

-I’ve had the opportunity to do workshops and talks about preservation around the country and in St. Petersburg, Russia, Vancouver, Canada, Tbilisi, Georgia, and Havana, Cuba.

There is plenty of work to do in my remaining months here. After, I will look for ways to continue to be involved in civic issues. Before coming here, I reported on State and City politics for statewide public television and later worked for the then City Council Speaker. I’ve always felt it is important to be a part of your time. 

The Conservancy is in a good place and well-positioned for a thoughtful transition. All the good work we do here will continue.

My deepest thanks to the Board, Advisory Council, colleagues, and all of you who help preserve the City we love.

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1 Whitehall Street
New York, NY
10004

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