Historic House Trust of New York City #2012 Annual Report Values What’s Inside #Historic Building Conservation and Property Management #Organizational Development Support Messages from our Board Chair and p. 2-3 #Community Engagement Executive Director, Innovative Programming #Education and Public Programs at our Houses #Diverse Material Culture p. 4 Preserve p. 5 Sustain p. 6 Engage p. 7 Educate PHOTO COURTESY OF ALICE AUSTEN HOUSE MUSEUM p. 8 Protect Follow Us p. 9 Spotlight: Advocacy Online www.historichousetrust.org Facebook p. 10-11 FY12 Statement of Activities and Supporters www.facebook.com/hhtnyc Twitter @hhtnyc Mission The Historic House Trust of New York City (HHT) is a nonprofit organization that operates in tandem with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to aid in and insure the preservation of 23 city-owned historic properties located in parks in all five boroughs. We believe historic sites are not static antiquities © 2013 – they are living institutions uniquely poised to address current issues while retaining their connections to Historic House Trust the past. HHT is therefore dedicated to preserving our sites, protecting their collections, engaging diverse of New York City audiences, educating visitors and sustaining the nonprofit organizations that operate our houses. HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST OF NEW YORK CITY HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST OF NEW YORK CITY BOARD OF INVIGORATING OUR WORLD INNOVATION AT OUR HOUSES DIRECTORS’ DIRECTORS COUNCIL John C. Gustafsson Brian G. Andersson Chair A MESSAGE FROM JOHN C. GUSTAFSSON, BOARD CHAIR A MESSAGE FROM FRANKLIN D. VAGNONE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR George H. Beane Deborah Krulewitch eople think of history- that’s such the understatement. We have been n this Annual Report, the communities and expanding their programming. William L. Bernhard Chair Emerita based organizations as studying and re-studying the historic house world. Historic House Trust is Taking a cue from the work of our member Susan Berotti Myra J. Biblowit things that remain very When we’re done, we’re going to incorporate our proud to feature innovative houses, HHT has also been focusing on expanding Mario Buatta Vice Chair P I Diana Chapin much the same for long periods learning into the innovative programming that programs that the houses in our innovation in historic house museums. As always, Franny Eberhart of time, much as they think of distinguishes our houses, pushing the boundaries of collection have initiated we love to hear what our supporters think about Wanda Chin Vice Chair Alice B. Diamond our stock in trade, the historic what is expected and acceptable. We are already independently. Located in our work and what they would like to see and Bruce D. Dixon Lisa Ackerman house. The more it stays the starting to get the attention of new audiences diverse neighborhoods experience. We invite you to join our conversations Treasurer Murray B. Douglas same, the better it is, yes? Well, no. Not anymore. around the world, and of new funding sources throughout the five boroughs, these organizations about the future of historic house museums on Richard W. Southwick Jamie Drake Secretary Fiscal 2011-2012 was a time not merely for HHT previously unavailable to us. The core of our work have succeeded in attracting diverse audiences Twitter (@hhtnyc) and Facebook (www.facebook. Ivy Fairchild to contemplate change but also to redefine our remains the same: we continue to provide through imaginative programs and educational com/hhtnyc). Don’t be shy -- tell us what you Amy L. Freitag Cynthia Wainwright Board Development future and re-vision our ability to survive and to conservation, curatorial and financial resources to offerings. From naturalization ceremonies and yoga really think! Together, we can continue to forge Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen remain relevant. Here at HHT, and previously as our individual houses and their staffs and boards classes, to contemporary art pursuits and historic an inclusive, exciting path to engagement for Donald Friedman George Haitsch Veronica White* chair of the Staten Island Historical Society, I have of directors. But we’re moving into something preservation workshops, HHT sites are actively New York City’s storied historic houses. Commissioner, NYC Department developed a little bit of experience with historic completely new. We have begun to provide responding to community needs and interests Dr. Robin Harper of Parks & Recreation houses and the economic, cultural, educational and management resources -- helping the smaller, local through exciting, participatory programs and Margize Howell Kate Levin* social environment in which they operate. Of this boards of directors to develop themselves, to experiences. Despite difficult realities facing historic Kenneth T. Jackson Commissioner, NYC Department I can be sure: the times, they are a changin’. And improve themselves and to grow themselves. To house museums -- including a dwindling fundraising Susan Henshaw Jones of Cultural Affairs Lucy Kennedy even though our ilk has been known for staying follow up on these targeted efforts, we have created base, a perceived lack of relevance and interest from Thérèse Braddick* Jonathan Kuhn the course, staying the course has to mean our first brand new Board committee in many the public, and demographic shifts -- HHT houses Deputy Commissioner of Jack T. Linn Capital Projects, NYC something new today. years, an Oversight and Management Committee, are thriving by forging connections with local Franklin D. Vagnone, Executive Director Department of Parks & Recreation Joseph Pell Lombardi Our Executive Director, Franklin Vagnone, whose mission it is to survey on a global and Judith MacDonald has spent this past year creating, developing hands-on level the functioning of our constituent J.C. Mills Suzanne Stirn Ainslie and refining a new concept in historic house boards, and then to marshal the appropriate human SPOTLIGHT: INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING Joseph Pierson Adrian Benepe management, preservation and presentation. If you and other resources to help them to help themselves. Dianne H. Pilgrim HHT applauds the success of its member houses in creating adaptive and evolutionary programming Glenn Boornazian have not had a chance to hear his thoughts, and you When our houses have stronger boards, they have a Nicholas Quennell that creatively engages the community and inspires discussion and thought. These innovative programs Arthur Norman Field have as much of a deep love of our past as we broader reach into their communities; they market Robert C. Quinlan Timothy C. Forbes are positioning the houses as centers in their communities and places for exploration, entertainment share here, let us know, and we’ll arrange for you better; they fundraise better; and they communicate Frank E. Sanchis III Charlotte Pickman Gertz and performance. A few of the emerging programs are below. to learn more. Frank’s fundamental concept is better with those they are there to serve. Scott L. Sanders Catherine Morrison Golden new for historic house museums -- second guess A few months into my tenure, I’m seeing the Joan N. Taubner Francis C. Grant III, “T” Gina Ingoglia Weiner Carolyn Grimstead everything that you think is fundamental to the upcoming years not as a time of belt-tightening Ted Hammer, FAIA historic house world. Do not assume that you can’t (which, of course, it will be!), but as a time for Regina T. Kraft reach a new audience. Do not assume that you have learning how to deploy our human resources and Paul R. Provost to keep people “at bay” when they are on your site. our intellectual resources in new and different ways Renee Ring Do not assume that the story of your house ended a to improve our houses contact with, and the Gary Ross hundred years ago. Open your mind. Create. services they provide to, their local communities Richard Franklin Sammons Cooperate. Communicate. Frank’s thoughts have and the city-at-large. Henry J. Stern made HHT into an emerging leader for new historic If you invigorate it, they will come. We’re David E. Stutzman house museum management and ideas. counting on it! FOLLOW US Franklin D. Vagnone* Immersive theatre experiences (courtesy of Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum) So where have we been during the past year? We ONLINE! *Ex-Officio have been analyzing the historic house world. But John C. Gustafsson, Board Chair Historic House Trust 830 Fifth Avenue Visit our website for a The Arsenal calendar of events Room 203 and other activities at New York, NY 10065 the houses. 212 360-8282 Become a member online! f 212 360-8201 historichousetrust.org Urban Gardening (courtesy of Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum) County fair (courtesy of Historic Richmond Town) Yoga classes (courtesy of Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum) Naturalization Ceremony at King Manor Museum (courtesy of Kathy Forrestal) 2 ANNUAL REPORT CONTRIBUTE ONLINE AT WWW.HISTORICHOUSETRUST.ORG 3 HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST OF NEW YORK CITY HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST OF NEW YORK CITY United States Gypsum 2012 Founders Award Dinner Honoree for the use of their plaster in the “Poe Plaster Party” 2012 Founders Award Dinner THE FUND AT WORK: PRESERVE SUSTAIN Honoree for the Bronx Latino HISTORIC BUILDING CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT History Project Installation of a tarp on the Merchant’s House wall and parapet, in order to prevent AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT nce the buildings are stabilized, HHT provides resources to the leadership at the houses to help moisture infiltration from them operate efficiently. Community-based nonprofit organizations, with budgets ranging from THE FUND AT WORK: damaging the recently HT’s main effort is ensuring the successful preservation of the irreplaceable historic houses in its $42,000 to $2.9 million annually, operate the historic houses as museums. HHT works to completed plaster work care. HHT’s Architectural Conservator consults on and manages restoration projects at the sites O Offering capacity building and interior finishes. strengthen these organizations through annual financial support and capacity building opportunities opportunities for the House ranging from small repairs to large-scale capital projects.