Cazenovia Preservation Foundation is an unusual organization because it works in the fields of both historic preservation and land conservation. In the 1980s farsighted members realized that preserving buildings in the Village would not mean much if the surrounding countryside and farms were degraded by development. We’ve done our best to maintain the rural character and architectural integrity of our Village and Town. Help us add to this list of accomplishments:
2008
- Assisted two farms with final petitions for NYS Farmland Protection Grants.
- Hosted a successful fundraising event, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
- Sold the 108-acre Route 20 East property with conservation easements to the Cazenovia Restoration Corporation.
- Initiated an educational series of six summer walks on the flora, fauna, and farms around Cazenovia.
- Gave CPF members free Christmas trees from its property on Burlingame Road.
- Began Chittenango Creek stream bank restoration along CPF-owned South Trail. Project partners include Madison County, NYS DEC, and Snow Valley Riders Snowmobile Club.
- Worked with an Eagle Scout on his project to design a fence and gate for CPF’s Willow Place property and to make Carpenter’s Pond trail improvements.
- Provided financial assistance to restore the windows of the Depot and to make other exterior improvements.
- Secured a trail easement from a CPF member to provide parking and marked access to CPF-maintained trails off Burlingame Road.
- Worked with interns from the Upstate Institute Field School at Colgate University and the Environmental Studies Program at Cazenovia College on easement documentation and mapping of trails and invasive species.
2007
- Began first stage of restoring the ecology and appearance of the Willow Patch.
- Hired part-time professional Environmental Project Manager to manage the stewardship of CPF properties and easements, as well as develop outreach programs.
- Helped fund a preliminary structural condition review of historic Carpenter’s Barn.
2006
- Received easements on two Sullivan Street properties.
- Accepted an easement on 217 acres of farmland on both sides of Lane Road.
- Established the Easement Protection Fund with gifts from three CPF members.
- Celebrated CPF's 40th anniversary.
- Agreed to participate with the Town of Cazenovia in the NYS Farmland Purchase of Development Rights initiative by helping to prepare applications for three Cazenovia farms, and agreeing to accept the easements on the farms that received grants.
- Worked with an Eagle Scout on his project to design and develop Kassy's Piece Trail [formerly known as Sherman's Gulch] off Burlingame Road.
- Created the Farmland Preservation/Conservation Easement Fund as a tribute to the late Faith Knapp, from proceeds of a dinner dance hosted and underwritten by two members.
2005
- Endorsed the draft Historic Preservation Ordinance presented to the Village.
- Accepted “challenge grant” for a 3:1 community “match” by raising $90,000.
2004
- Received 115 acres of wooded land for trail and conservation purposes on Burlingame Road, which connects the Auchincloss gift, Sherman’s Gulch, and Fairchild Hill.
- Sponsored Boy Scout’s grant application to CNY Community Foundation for renovation work at the Loyster Lodge.
- Created a trail map to strengthen awareness of and access to CPF’s extensive trail system.
2003
- CAPP is completed by planner and accepted by the Town and Village Boards. Town recommendations centered on the lake. Village wins $500,000 in NYS grants.
- Awarded two grants for environmental enhancement and stabilization in the Willow Patch.
2001
- Accepted gift of 11-acre wetland on Gillette Lane for conservation program.
2000
- Bought 108 acres, a part of the Greenbelt, on Route 20 East from Dr. Ambrose to prevent “big box” commercial use.
- Gorge Trail joins the Link Trail becoming part of a national network of trails.
1999
- Co-sponsored the Cazenovia Area Planning Project (CAPP). CAPP was a 34-member task force comprised of a community planner, and representatives from 10 community organizations and the Village and Towns of Cazenovia, Fenner, and Nelson.
- Began assisted financing program for historic restoration of private properties in Cazenovia, New Woodstock, Nelson, Erieville, and Fenner.
- Purchased lot on Willow Place to protect Carpenter’s Pond and neighborhood.
1997
- Received conservation easement (90+ acres) on both sides of Cobb Hill Road.
- Purchased former railroad right-of-way from Ballina Road to New Woodstock for trails.
1995
- Received two property gifts: 40 acres off Burlingame Rd. and 41 acres off Rippleton Rd.
1994
- Given Lorenzo Farms lot (7 acres) as an asset property for resale.
1991
- Received gift of Sherman’s Gulch (48 acres off Burlingame Road) to extend trails.
- Saved historic 19th Century gatehouse on the dike near Carpenter’s Pond.
- Donated $10,000 to the Village’s Albany Street beautification project.
- Acquired an architectural easement on 9 Albany Street.
1990
- Received $25,000 grant from the Kaplan Fund’s Rural New York Program for alternative land planning for parcels of 50 or more acres. Matched by the Mather Fund and members.
1988
- Received gift of Carpenter’s Pond.
- Adopted The Land Use Guide for the Town of Cazenovia, as did the Town and Village.
- Began work on protection through easements and careful subdivision of the environmentally sensitive Rose Farm (670 acres) in New Woodstock.
1987
- Purchased, added protective covenants, and resold the 92-acre Meadows Farm on Rippleton Road.
- Received the Willow Patch, five acres in the middle of the village, as a gift.
1985
- Purchased 25 acres at south end of lake (now called Fairchild Hill) to be kept forever wild and be part of Greenbelt and CPF trail system.
- Helped pay for restoration work on Lakeland Park wall and iron fence.
- Gave $7,500 to Caz College for exterior restoration of the Theater.
- Purchased 2.5 miles of former railroad right-of-way north of the village. This is now the Gorge Trail.
- Began a conservation easement program and a trail program.
- Acquired an architectural easement on the Lincklaen House.
1983
- Applied for the Historic District to be on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Sold Lehigh Valley railroad depot with architectural easements.
1982
- Donated $500 to New Woodstock Historical Society to expand building.
1981
- Worked with groups studying ways to protect the rural character of the community.
1980
- Participated in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Rural Resources pilot project and hosted seminar for homeowners in the historic district.
- Contributed toward restoration of the Gothic Cottage to be used as Town Hall.
1978
- Published Cazenovia, The Story of an Upland Community.