Guilford historical society receives Preserve New York grant
MT. UPTON – The Guilford hamlet of Rockwell’s Mills is a step closer to being added to the National Register of Historic Places thanks to the continued hard work and dedication of Town of Guilford Historian Thomas Gray and the Guilford Historical Society.
Last week, the volunteer-driven organization was presented with two checks totaling the remaining amount needed to complete the historic district nomination process.
“Our society believes that nothing remains unless someone preserves it,” said Gray, at the organization’s annual dinner, held on Oct. 8 at the Old Mill Restaurant in Rockwell’s Mills.
During the function, Gray joined GHS President Scott Parsons in accepting both a $600 check from Deputy Supervisor Bruce Winsor on behalf of the Guilford Town Board and a ceremonial check signifying the $2,000 Preserve NY Grant the society has been awarded through a program made possible through a cooperation of the New York Preservation League and the New York State Council of the Arts.
The Old Mill was an appropriate venue for the presentation, according to the historian, because the stone structure which houses the restaurant is all that remains of the original mill constructed on the banks of the Unadilla River in 1791. Up until 1841, it served as first a grist mill and then a cotton mill, before being acquired by Chester Rockwell, who converted the structure into a woolen mill and gave his name to both it and the surrounding community.
The mill, which manufactured uniforms during both the Civil and Spanish American wars, remained in continuous operation until 1907 when it fell victim to an economic downturn. The building remained vacant for nearly four decades, during which time it fell into ruin. In the mid-1920’s, the wooden outbuildings which once housed the thriving woolen business were torn down, leaving only the original stone structure.
In 1946, it was given new life by a decedent of the Rockwell family, who converted it into a restaurant. The fine dining establishment has changed hands twice since that time, and is currently operated by the Ford family.
According to Gray, securing the prestigious designation for the historic structure and the hamlet which grew up around it has been a project his since 2005 when he began researching the history of Rockwell’s Mills. The book he published on the Unadilla Valley community the following year helped spawn the historical society’s greater effort to get the hamlet “on the map” so to speak, and secure its place on the National Register of Historic Places.
The next phase in that process is to further research the hamlet, particularly the residences which once served as housing for the mill workers and three homes built by the Rockwell family between 1849 and 1870, and complete the community’s National Register nomination. In order to do this, it was necessary for the GHS to retain a consultant, Jessie Ravage of Cooperstown, who has experience in completing such nominations.
“Rockwell Mills retains the characteristics of the rural industrial hamlets that were once common in this region,” said Gray. “If our nomination is successful, the Rockwell’s Mills National Register Historical District will be the first historic district in the Town of Guilford.”
According to Tania Werbizky, who presented the check on behalf of the Preservation League, the Guilford organization was one of 16 projects to receive funding through the grant program in 2009.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Preservation League of New York State, it is a pleasure to present the Guilford Historical Society with a check for $2,000,” she said. “In making this award, the Preservation League is expressing our belief that your project will be of value not only to Rockwell’s Mills residents, but an inspiration to communities across the region.”
Werbizky said there were several factors that elevated the Guilford project above others in the application process including the enthusiasm of the Guilford Historical Society for the project; the extensive support and financial contributions of the community and town at large; and the quality of the hamlet’s 19th century Greek Revival and Italianate architecture.
“The project holds the promise of inspiring new preservation efforts,” said Werbizky. “We trust that the results of the project will help guide local planning and economic development decisions and inspire present and future stewards of Rockwell’s Mills and the Town of Guilford’s heritage.”
The historical society will contribute $400 from its own coffers to the $2,600 from the town and Preserve NY to cover Ravage’s $3,000 fee.
Last week, the volunteer-driven organization was presented with two checks totaling the remaining amount needed to complete the historic district nomination process.
“Our society believes that nothing remains unless someone preserves it,” said Gray, at the organization’s annual dinner, held on Oct. 8 at the Old Mill Restaurant in Rockwell’s Mills.
During the function, Gray joined GHS President Scott Parsons in accepting both a $600 check from Deputy Supervisor Bruce Winsor on behalf of the Guilford Town Board and a ceremonial check signifying the $2,000 Preserve NY Grant the society has been awarded through a program made possible through a cooperation of the New York Preservation League and the New York State Council of the Arts.
The Old Mill was an appropriate venue for the presentation, according to the historian, because the stone structure which houses the restaurant is all that remains of the original mill constructed on the banks of the Unadilla River in 1791. Up until 1841, it served as first a grist mill and then a cotton mill, before being acquired by Chester Rockwell, who converted the structure into a woolen mill and gave his name to both it and the surrounding community.
The mill, which manufactured uniforms during both the Civil and Spanish American wars, remained in continuous operation until 1907 when it fell victim to an economic downturn. The building remained vacant for nearly four decades, during which time it fell into ruin. In the mid-1920’s, the wooden outbuildings which once housed the thriving woolen business were torn down, leaving only the original stone structure.
In 1946, it was given new life by a decedent of the Rockwell family, who converted it into a restaurant. The fine dining establishment has changed hands twice since that time, and is currently operated by the Ford family.
According to Gray, securing the prestigious designation for the historic structure and the hamlet which grew up around it has been a project his since 2005 when he began researching the history of Rockwell’s Mills. The book he published on the Unadilla Valley community the following year helped spawn the historical society’s greater effort to get the hamlet “on the map” so to speak, and secure its place on the National Register of Historic Places.
The next phase in that process is to further research the hamlet, particularly the residences which once served as housing for the mill workers and three homes built by the Rockwell family between 1849 and 1870, and complete the community’s National Register nomination. In order to do this, it was necessary for the GHS to retain a consultant, Jessie Ravage of Cooperstown, who has experience in completing such nominations.
“Rockwell Mills retains the characteristics of the rural industrial hamlets that were once common in this region,” said Gray. “If our nomination is successful, the Rockwell’s Mills National Register Historical District will be the first historic district in the Town of Guilford.”
According to Tania Werbizky, who presented the check on behalf of the Preservation League, the Guilford organization was one of 16 projects to receive funding through the grant program in 2009.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Preservation League of New York State, it is a pleasure to present the Guilford Historical Society with a check for $2,000,” she said. “In making this award, the Preservation League is expressing our belief that your project will be of value not only to Rockwell’s Mills residents, but an inspiration to communities across the region.”
Werbizky said there were several factors that elevated the Guilford project above others in the application process including the enthusiasm of the Guilford Historical Society for the project; the extensive support and financial contributions of the community and town at large; and the quality of the hamlet’s 19th century Greek Revival and Italianate architecture.
“The project holds the promise of inspiring new preservation efforts,” said Werbizky. “We trust that the results of the project will help guide local planning and economic development decisions and inspire present and future stewards of Rockwell’s Mills and the Town of Guilford’s heritage.”
The historical society will contribute $400 from its own coffers to the $2,600 from the town and Preserve NY to cover Ravage’s $3,000 fee.
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