New Link List 

Current list of landmarks

Yorktown Landmarks.

Yorktown Site

Official Yorktown site

Yorktown Historical Society

Yorktown Historical Society

Old Stone Church

Some historical background...

Yorktown Museum

Yorktown Museum web site.

LOHUD story 11/23/2007

A latest news story appearing in the Journal News calling for new volunteers.

The Winery at St. George

The Winery

NYS Historic Preservation Office

NY State Parks Preservation Office

Yorktown Code Chapter 198

Yorktown code regarding landmark tax abatement.

Town Adminstrator proposal

A new proposal for a Town Administrator to run Yorktown Hts...

Some photos... 

St. George Church

Recent applications... 

1. DECISION - OLD STONE CHURCH
   LANDMARK STATUS
   RESOLUTION #352
   Upon motion by Councilman Bianco, seconded by Supervisor Cooper,
   
   WHEREAS, the Landmark Preservation Commission has recommended to the Town Board that it designate that certain property commonly referred to as the "Old Stone Church" as an historic landmark; and
   
   WHEREAS, the Old Stone Church, a/k/a St. George's Church, is located at 1715 East Main Street, in Mohegan Lake and is identified on the Tax Map of the Town of Yorktown as Section 15.12, Block 2, Lot 53; and
   
   WHEREAS, Commission Chairman Garrison Corwin, on behalf of the Commission, submitted substantial documentation discussing the unique characteristics of the Old Stone Church and the arguments supporting its designation as an historic landmark; and
   
   WHEREAS, a public hearing was convened on January 17, 2006, and thereafter adjourned to and reconvened on February 21, 2006 to discuss the landmark designation; and
   
   WHEREAS, at the public hearing, Garrison Corwin, presented the Commission's arguments in support of its recommendation that the Old Stone Church be designated as a landmark; and
   
   WHEREAS, at the public hearing, the owner of the Old Stone Church, Thomas DeChiaro, appeared and was represented by legal counsel, Marc S. Oxman, who stated that there would be no objection to landmark designation of the structure so long as the designation clearly specifies that, although it applies without exception to the exterior stonework, it applies only to specifically enumerated elements of the interior of the church building; and
   
   WHEREAS, by letter dated February 10, 2006, Garrison Corwin, on behalf of the Commission, notified the Town Board that, at its February 8, 2006 meeting, the Commission determined that the landmark designation should apply to the entire exterior of the church building, the site on which it stands and the elements of the interior of the structure having historical significance, namely, "(1) the mosaics in the floor as they currently exist and (2) the beams in the ceiling, which are at least in part and may be in their entirety, original laminated beams, from the original construction"; and
   
   WHEREAS, by letter dated March 10, 2006, the Commission also expressed its particular concern that ". . . the chandeliers' [be added] to the interior elements which have historic designation."; now, therefore, be it
   
   RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Yorktown hereby designates the Old Stone Church, a/k/a St. George's Church, as a landmark pursuant to Chapter 198 of the Town Code of the Town of Yorktown; and be it further
   
   RESOLVED, that the landmark designation made by this resolution applies to:
   
   (1) the exterior stonework and roof of the church building; and
   
   the elements of the interior of the structure having historical significance, namely, the mosaics in the floor as they currently
   exist.
   
   Councilman Bianco stated that the Town Board recently passed a law which states that the Town Board does not need a property owner's consent to landmark a structure. He believes this structure should be landmark due to its historic value to the community. It is more than one hundred years old.
   
   Councilman Martorano stated that he appreciated the good intentions of the Landmark Commission in wanting to preserve this structure. But, we must honor the rights of property owners.
   
   Councilman Campisi stated that he voted against the Landmark Preservation Law because owner consent was not required. He considers this a taking of someone's property. He further questioned the need to landmark all of this building because very little with the exception of the outside stone is original to the building.
   
   Councilman Metz agreed with Councilman Martorano that this is a balancing act, weighing the right of a property owner and the town's desire to have this structure land marked. He would like to see the property land marked
   
   Supervisor Cooper stated that she believes the building should be land marked. She further stated that she does not believe that just because you landmark a building, you cannot adapt new uses.
   
   Cooper, Bianco, voting aye
   Martorano, Campisi, Metz voting nay
   Resolution denied.

My common sense approach to Landmarking 

Milestones 

1. Jack Lee appointed to the Landmark Preservation Commission - Aug. 2007
2. Attended Preservation Conference in New Paltz NY - Nov. 9-10, 2007
3. First meeting with Tom DeChiaro at St. George Winery - Nov. 29, 2007
4. Sent letter to Yorktown Town board - Dec. 1, 2007

Potential Landmarking sites in Yorktown... 

• Baldwin Plaque.
• Pratts Inn
• Wilken's fruit farm
• St. Patrick's Stone Church
• Beaver Farm
• IBM T.J. Watson Research lab.

New Featured Lenses 

Trump State Park

Under Construction... This lens is not a criticism of Mr. Trump. I am thankful to Mr. Trump for his generosity in donating this land for public use. I am merely pointing out the lack of response on the part of our public servants, the New York State P...

Westchester County Nuggets

This lens is a resource for visitors and residents of the Westchester County. It contains some of my favorite places in our county and I have been a resident for over 20 years. I have organized this site by municipalities in alphabetical order. If yo...

Documentation on Preservation 

Historic Preservation Conference - New Paltz 2007

Click on this link to access the PDF version that is also searchable...

Reader Feedback 

Anyone have suggestions or recommendations for Landmarking status, please submit here.

Great Stuff on Amazon 

Guide to New York City Landmarks

by: New York Landmarks Preservation Commission

Amazon Price: $21.75 (as of 01/08/2009)

National Landmarks, America's Treasures: The National Park Foundation's Complete Guide to National Historic Landmarks (Preservation Press)

by: S. Allen Chambers

Amazon Price: (as of 01/08/2009)

The American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, a national society for the protection of natural scenery, the preservation of historic landmarks and the improvement of cities

by: American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 01/08/2009)