The Roslyn Landmark Society has been awarded a Preserve New York Grant (PNY) from the Preservation League of NYS. This $1,700 grant will fund a Condition Report of the Van Nostrand-Starkins House. The Society's Board of Trustees and staff extend their thanks to the Preservation League of NYS and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) for helping to fund this important work.

“Built in 1680, the Van Nostrand-Starkins House is recognized as the oldest surviving house in Nassau County and the fourth oldest on Long Island,” said Jaime Karbowiak, Executive Director of the Roslyn Landmark Society. “This generous 2024 Preserve New York grant will enable the Roslyn Landmark Society to take a vital step in the preservation of this significant historic treasure by assessing the structure’s condition and determining any maintenance needs necessary to ensure its continued existence and stability far into the future.”

Restored by the Roslyn Landmark Society in the 1970s, the Van Nostrand-Starkins House has served as a historic house museum since 1977. Due to exposure to the elements and normal wear and tear, portions of the Van Nostrand-Starkins House have deteriorated over the years. To maintain proper stewardship over this historic structure, the Roslyn Landmark Society seeks to identify and make any needed repairs to ensure the house's ongoing preservation and its continued accessibility to the public.

The first step is to have a conditions assessment completed by a qualified professional to guide further phases of the project which, in addition to maintenance and preservation, will include reinterpretation of the site and development of enhanced educational programming for the public. This Building Condition Report will be completed by John M. Collins, historic architect and founder of John M. Collins Historic Building Design in Oyster Bay, New York.

“Projects funded through Preserve New York often mark the beginning of bigger preservation efforts, and the League takes tremendous pride in helping to jumpstart this important work,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of NYS. “We can’t wait to see how this year’s grantees tackle these projects and look forward to continuing to be a resource into the future. We are grateful for the continued partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts, as well as the additional support from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, which makes these grants possible.”

At its 2024 meeting, an independent grant panel selected 21 applicants in 17 counties to receive support totaling $262,041.

“NYSCA is proud to work with the Preservation League of New York State and support these vital projects which represent the rich diversity of our state’s history,” said Erika Mallin, Executive Director of the New York State Council on the Arts. “Congratulations to all the grantees and our thanks for your essential work, ensuring the survival of these cultural treasures for generations.”

“The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is pleased to continue its collaboration with the Preservation League of New York State to support preservation projects on Long Island. This funding prepares our stewards to professionally assess the needs of their historic sites to best serve their communities. Whether considering renovation, restoration, adaptive reuse or ADA compliance these awards are invaluable in helping assess those possibilities.” said Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.

Preserve New York is a regrant partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League, made possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has generously provided additional funds to support nonprofit projects in Nassau and Suffolk. Since 1993, Preserve New York has been providing funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. The building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys funded through this program lead to positive outcomes across New York’s 62 counties. These grants support important arts and cultural initiatives, as well as economic development related to our state’s arts and cultural heritage. With the announcement of the 2024 awards, support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 totals more than $3.9 million to 550 projects statewide.

Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League of NYS has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The League empowers all New Yorkers to use historic preservation to enrich their communities, protect their heritage, and build a sustainable future. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state.

The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award $162 million in FY2025, serving organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.

The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, established in 1987, primarily supports the study of Long Island history and its role in the American experience.