Not all stories that deal with historic preservation end in demolition. There are many examples of run-down homes or business structures being brought back to life by local individuals or organizations. This is the story of a few local efforts that have restored pieces of our history, saving them from the brink of destruction.

The Benjamin Hall Building

In 1871, Troy was in its heyday of industrialism. Benjamin Hall, a poet and lawyer, erected a beautiful office building on the corner of First and River Streets. The Hall Building (called the Rice Building today) was a landmark for over 100 years until it fell into neglect, like so many other structures in Troy.

This past year a combined effort by the Troy Savings Bank, Troy Architectural Program (TAP) and RPI, renovated the building into a high tech incubation center. Last month, the first of many tenants moved into this new high tech, but historic landmark. The outside of this remarkable looking building looks like it did when it was first erected 129 years ago. The inside is wired for the future. This is a great example of merging historic preservation with adaptive reuse.

The Pumpkin House

If we could add another 50 years to Carl Erickson's life, he might single handily restore most of Troy's historic homes. He already has restored six downtown homes by himself. Carl, a retired designer for the New York State Museum, now lives in a beautifully restored wood-frame federal period home called the Pumpkin House on Fourth Street between Liberty and Ferry. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Places last year.

You would swear you were in the country, not the city, while sitting in his gardens in the back. Surely this captures what Trojans must have felt like living here in the 18th and early 19th century.

Burden Office Building

The Burden Office Building in South Troy, still in the process of restoration, was built in 1881 at the heyday of Troy's 19th century iron era. Now In the ownership of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway, and under the highly competent direction of P. Thomas Carroll, this building will become a living museum honoring Troy's iron workers and the inventiveness of Henry Burden. The office building, beautifully designed, is one of the few structures left of the Burden Iron Company, one of the largest in the United States.

The Cluett and Miller, Hall & Hartwell Buildings

When I was growing up Jack Hedley sold cars I couldn't afford (he still does). Who would have guessed the man would be saving part of Troy's history years later?

Two important examples of Troy's Collar and Cuff history was recently saved from the wrecking ball when Hedley renovated the buildings for office space now being used by New York State agencies.

On the corner of Hoosick and River, the Miller, Hall & Hartwell Company was the oldest and largest shirt manufacturers in the city. The first building was built in 1880 and the adjacent one 1891. You may remember it as the Standard Furniture Company.

The old Cluett and Peabody buildings on River were built in the 1880's. They became a leading national brand, like so many other Troy firms, right up to the 20th century.

Come on Jack. How about making Proctor's your next project?

Van Schoonhaven Mansion

The Pettit family recently purchased the Van Schoonhaven home, built in 1846, on Third Avenue in Lansingburgh. This early Lansingburgh family was prominent in banking. Jacob Lansing Van Schoonhaven was president of the Central National Bank in Troy and was related to the Lansing family, the founders of the village.

Stephanie Pettit is adamant about restoring the 3-story mansion to its former glory. Walking into the first floor is like walking back in time. I have no doubt that when she's done, the Van Schoonhaven's will look down with approval.

The RPI Approach

Ok, technically not a home or business but symbolism for sure. This walkway between RPI and the city of Troy symbolizes the deep rooted historical connection the two have shared since they both were created -Troy in 1816; RPI in 1825.

There is a real connection. RPI grads have worked their skills on Troy. RPI founding father Amos Eaton helped to create the school, originally in downtown, but is better known as the Father of American Geology. He also helped form the Troy Lyceum, one of the first natural history societies located in the old Boardman Building on Fulton and River. Garret Baltimore, RPI's first Black graduate, became Troy's city engineer and designed Prospect Park. There were even Mayors of Troy that were RPI graduates.

RPI restored the Approach last year. Is it coincidence that you can now walk from RPI down broadway right to the new hi-tech Rice building? Now if we could only convince Shirley Jackson to bring the Renssealer High Tech Park to downtown (south Troy), we really would be wired for the future!

There are other examples in Troy of adaptive reuse. The building at 417-19 River Street, formerly a wool dealer of the 19th century, is now The Troy Pub, a popular microbrewery. The W & L.E. Gurley building, built in 1862 is presently being renovated.

Besides the obvious benefits of preserving the historic integrity of a community in reusing these buildings, there is also a definite economic incentive.

For years, certain residential neighborhoods in downtown Schenectady and Albany were run down and neglected. Individuals with vision saw the economic benefits in restoring these neighborhoods, one building at a time. Today, Schenectady's Stockade, and Albany's Mansion Neighborhood and Pastures District are excellent examples of historic revitalization that are economic jewels to both cities.

Troy has many architectural jewels worthy of restoration. Let's hope we get to them before the wrecking ball.

©2000 Don Rittner