Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Honors Yaddo for Stewardship and Restoration

The newly constructed Yaddo mansion terrace retaining wall is shown here before the stonework was replaced.

Saratoga Springs, NY (February 18, 2004) - The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation recently announced that Yaddo will receive the foundation's 2004 Spirit of Preservation award for stewardship and restoration. Yaddo President Elaina Richardson will accept the award on behalf of Yaddo at the Spirit of Preservation Banquet on March 13, 2004, at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The award recognizes Yaddo for its extraordinary commitment to restoring the historic buildings that comprise the famed artists' retreat. Beginning in 1991, Yaddo began the process of creating a comprehensive plan for the maintenance of the Yaddo mansion and grounds. The plan has guided their investment for more than a decade, most recently resulting in the careful rebuilding of the mansion terrace, revitalization of the Yaddo Gardens, and an extensive renovation of West House, the second largest of the 17 buildings on the Yaddo grounds. The Yaddo mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by New Jersey architect William Halsey Wood for Spencer and Katrina Trask, the mansion, completed in 1893, and related buildings have since 1926 been the site of an artists' community in Saratoga Springs.

"The stewardship by the Yaddo Corporation of its buildings and landscapes represents an impressive commitment to historic preservation," said Carrie Woerner, Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. "This award honors the leadership and dedication of the Yaddo Board of Directors, its staff and volunteers, to maintaining the authenticity and sense of history that is so important to fostering creativity and innovation."

Ms. Richardson said the success of Yaddo's restoration program is due to strong support from its board, most especially a facilities committee chaired by Charles V. Wait, President of The Adirondack Trust Company, and expert guidance from Olsen Associates Architects and LA Group Landscape Architecture and Engineering, both of Saratoga Springs.

The Spirit of Preservation award for stewardship and restoration is presented to an organization or corporation that has demonstrated a significant, long-term commitment to the preservation of an historic site or building in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding communities.

The Spirit of Preservation Banquet is the capstone of the Preservation 2004 conference. In keeping with the conference theme of Livable Communities, the banquet will feature remarks about the relationship between a city's essential nature and the built environment by Alan Balfour, architect, author and Dean of the School of Architecture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. Dr. Balfour's most recent books are Shanghai (2002) and New York (2001), both in the World Cities series published by Wiley/Academy, London. They offer critical histories as well as an examination of city character and form as defined by the architecture. The title of Dr. Balfour's talk is Shanghai: An Ambiguous History.

For more information on the Spirit of Preservation banquet or about Preservation 2004, contact the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation by telephone (518-587-5030) or email (info@saratogapreservation.org).

Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation works to promote the preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.

Preservation 2004 and the Spirit of Preservation Banquet are made possible, in part, through the support of the New York State Council of the Arts, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Old House Interiors and our local corporate sponsors, Bast Hatfield Construction, Inc., The Saratoga Associates, Curtis Lumber, and Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, Attorneys at Law and Nine Dragons City Center. Presenting partners for the conference are The Preservation League of New York State and the Building Conservation program, School of Architecture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.