From Preservation Online, the online magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

www.preservationonline.org

Readers seek help for preservation emergencies / Jan. 15, 2002

Dear Preservation 911,

The community of Oswego, N.Y., nestled on the shores of Lake Ontario, is home to the Oswego Public Library, built in 1885. Famed abolitionist and congressman Gerritt Smith donated the land and $25,000 for its construction, and architects Hughs and Rhodes designed the building, which has Gothic-inspired corbels, turrets, and crenellated parapets. Perched prominently on a corner lot on the east side of downtown, the Romanesque building is the oldest surviving library in continuous use in the state.

Because the building has been suffering from structural problems for decades, the library's board of trustees recently voted to vacate the building, at least temporarily. The library was recently listed on the Preservation League of New York State's "Seven to Save," the organization's annual list of the most threatened historic properties in the state.

The Heritage Foundation of Oswego is very concerned for the future of this landmark. It is leading efforts to support the rehabilitation of the building and to maintain the library's presence in the heart of the community.

Budget limitations, lack of funding, and the belief that more efficient space could be found elsewhere are ever-present threats to the future of this building.

If you know about funding opportunities or would like to contribute to the rehabilitation and preservation of this historic, irreplaceable building, please contact me or call (315) 342-3354.

Sincerely,

Patricia Levine, Heritage Foundation of Oswego

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Preservation 911 is a message board open to all readers. While National Trust staff will respond to the extent feasible, this will not be possible in all cases. We encourage other readers involved in state or local preservation to respond with advice or assistance. To contact either a regional office of the National Trust, a statewide or local nonprofit organization, or your state's historic preservation office, click here for a state-by-state list.

The National Trust's regional and field offices bring the programs and tools of the Trust to communities across the country. They offer technical assistance through consultations and field visits and financial help through small grants. They hold educational programs for professional preservationists and work to foster policies that help historic places. They also provide leadership on issues that concern entire regions, such as saving historic schools, fighting sprawl, and revitalizing cities.

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