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Connecticut Preservation News Connecticut Preservation News January/February 2018 Volume XLI, No. 1 Activism, Achievement, Architecture Preserving and Celebrating African American Historic Places mong the 90,000 places listed on the National Register a collaboration by Booker T. Washington and Sears Roebuck A of Historic Places, less than ten percent are dedicated president Julius Rosenwald to construct schools for African to people of color, said Brent Leggs, Senior Field Officer for American children throughout the South—was a transforma- the National Trust for Historic Preservation, speaking at the tive moment. “Booker T. Washington’s vision for uplifting Dixwell Congregational United Church of Christ, in New the black community through education affected my life,” Haven, in November. The event was organized by the New said Mr. Leggs. continued on page 4 Haven Preservation Trust and the State Historic Preservation Office. “This is an inequity that we have to correct,” he urged. Mr. Leggs introduced his talk by tracing his own develop- ment as a preservationist, a story that included childhood In This Issue: _____________________________________________ experiences of unconscious bias and a random conversation Remembering Vincent Scully 6 that convinced him to pursue graduate studies in preserva- _____________________________________________ tion. Participation in a survey of Rosenwald Schools— _____________________________________________ New Listings on the National Register 7 Funding for Preservation 8 New Haven Preservation Trust _____________________________________________ Brent Leggs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation _____________________________________________ Around the State 10 speaking in New Haven _____________________________________________ Connecticut’s Freedom Trail 20 The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit organization. ISSN 1084-189X 34000 CPN_Jan_2018.indd 1 12/28/17 12:43 PM News from the State Historic Preservation Office State Historic Preservation Office Statement from Kristina Newman- Scott, Director of Culture and State Historic Preservation Officer ach New Year brings a time for E reflection and forward-looking opportunities. In that spirit, the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office is excited for 2018. As you know, Staff of the State Historic Preservation Office, left to right: Catherine Labadia, Todd Levine, Mary Dunne, the SHPO office has been diligently Julie Carmelich, Elizabeth Shapiro, Kristina Newman-Scott, Alyssa Lozupone, Doug Royalty, Marena putting together a five-year strategic plan Wisniewski, and Jenny Scofield. that will be released later this year. We are enthusiastic about aligning our work cates can reinforce existing partnerships to communities. Its retention demonstrates with this plan, and so we are seizing this and build new connections that enhance that historic preservation is valued. SHPO opportunity to also reevaluate what we do our state through historic preservation. We looks forward to combining the effective- and why. This includes improving our grant hope that you will be able to join us on ness of the state tax credit with the federal programs to reach more of our constituents May 16, 2018, at the Sheraton Hartford tax credit to leverage millions of dollars for across the state and simplifying and stream- South in Rocky Hill. Don’t forget to save preservation projects throughout the State. lining our environmental review process to the date! My staff and I want to wish everyone better serve state and federal agencies. Finally, we are pleased that the recently a happy a happy New Year and we look We have also started planning our passed tax reform legislation retained the forward to working with you in the coming next statewide preservation conference. 20 percent federal historic rehabilitation tax year! The theme of the conference is Shared credit (see page 9). We thank everyone that Stewardship, which is meant to explore ways took the opportunity to let your representa- that communities, governments and advo- tives know how important this program is Upcoming Meetings Connecticut Historic Preservation Council February 7, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. Conference call To participate contact Liz Shapiro (860) 500-2360; [email protected] ——————— March 7, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. at the State Historic Preservation Office, Department of Ecconomic and Community Development 450 Colubus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut ——————— State Historic Preservation Board March 23, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. 450 Colubus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut For more information call (860) 500-2343 2 CONNECTICUT PRESERVATION NEWS, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 34000 CPN_Jan_2018.indd 2 12/28/17 12:43 PM At the Trust From the Interim Director other preservation projects. See more about field between new construction and reusing appy New Year! I hope your this property in the Historic Properties historic buildings. They’re also very popular: H holidays were happy and that Exchange on page 16. in recent years, the entire annual allotment you’re looking forward to 2018. January also means the start of the of $31.7 million has been reserved in the first The Connecticut Trust received a very legislative session. The Board’s legislative half, or even the first quarter of the year. attractive end-of-the year gift, a beautiful affairs committee, newly chaired by Elaine The need clearly is there. And the tax credit 18th-century house in East Hampton. Stiles of Old Lyme, is making plans for is a sound investment, too. It can provide the Located on Haddam Neck Road in a rural the Trust to have an effective presence at final leverage to bring a big project to frui- part of town, the single-family house prob- the Capitol this year. One of the major tion, returning vacant or underused proper- ably was built between 1750 and 1775. legislative issues facing preservation in ties to full use, enriching local tax rolls, and The late owner, Violet T. Murphy, left the Connecticut will be continuing to protect transforming the reputation and livability house to the National Trust for Historic the Community Investment Act, which of entire neighborhoods through a well- Preservation. However, the National Trust, provides funding for historic preservation, documented ripple effect. With the future with no staff in the area, wasn’t prepared affordable housing, farmland protection, viability of the federal historic rehabilitation to deal with the house, and suggested and open space acquisition through a fee tax credits in question, the state credits are it go to the Connecticut Trust instead. levied on all land-record filings. The CIA more important than ever. We’re planning to do some cleanup and made it through last year’s difficult budget As the session continues, you can follow minor repairs, research its history more negotiations nearly intact, but we continue developments through the Trust’s Facebook thoroughly, and nominate it to the State to work with our partners to demonstrate page and Twitter feed, through the email Register of Historic Places. Then we will the importance of this dedicated account. blasts we send to our members, and through offer the house for sale, with a preservation Another important issue will be a push the activities of our partners Connecticut easement to help make sure it will last for to raise the annual cap on Connecticut’s Preservation Action (ctpreservationaction. another two hundred years. The proceeds historic rehabilitation tax credit program. org) and the Connecticut Places Coalition will go into the Connecticut Trust The tax credits are small, but they provide (ctplaces.org). We hope you’ll join us in Revolving Fund, to provide financing for a needed incentive to level the playing advocating for Connecticut’s historic places with your legislators. —Jane Montanaro The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit statewide membership organization established by a special act of the State Legislature in 1975. Working with local preservation groups and individuals as well as statewide [email protected] organizations, it encourages, advocates and facilitates historic preservation throughout Connecticut. Board of Trustees Advisory Council Connecticut Preservation News is Officers Martha Alexander, New Haven published bimonthly by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, 940 Correction Garry Leonard, Chairman, Madison J. Barclay Collins, Sharon Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut Sara Bronin, Vice-Chairman, Hartford William R. Crowe, Canton 06517. Publication is made possible by Through an editing error the support of the members of the Connecticut Edith Pestana, Secretary, Hartford Jared Edwards, FAIA, West Hartford Trust for Historic Preservation and by Caroline Sloat, Assistant Secretary, Inger Elliott, Stonington funds provided through the Community November/December issue of Thompson Theodore F. Ells, Branford Investment Act in the State of Connecticut. The contents and opinions stated herein Connecticut Preservation News Edward W. Munster, Treasurer, Haddam Gerald Farrell, Jr., Wallingford do not necessarily reflect the views and Jeffry Muthersbaugh, Assistant Treasurer, Walter Fiederowicz, Litchfield policies of the State of Connecticut. reported the wrong web address for Haddam Advertisements do not reflect the views Mimi Findlay, New Canaan or opinions of the Connecticut Trust for the new website Gubernatorial appointees Lynn Friedman, Woodbury Historic Preservation. The Connecticut Glenn Geathers, Hartford Trust for Historic Preservation does
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