The following information about this restoration is brought to you by the Gustav Stickley House Foundation, written by Patricia Rycraft O’Toole:
Construction is under way to restore the historic Gustav Stickley House on Columbus Avenue in Syracuse. A Restoration kickoff event, co-sponsored by the University Neighborhood Preservation Association (UNPA) and the Gustav Stickley House Foundation Inc. (GSHF) was held Thursday, August 17th.
The event took place on the sidewalk in front of the house, 438 Columbus Avenue, as construction workers were already beginning repairs to the roof and siding.
The event included the unveiling of the new rendering of the home’s exterior as it was when Gustav Stickley resided there. The rendering was prepared by Joseph C. Falco of Environmental Design and Research of Syracuse, working together with Crawford & Stearns, which prepared the plans and drawings for the restoration.
Phase One of the project, restoration of the exterior, began the week of August 14th. The first phase includes repairs to the siding and trim; window restoration; a new roof; asbestos abatement, reconstruction of the original front porch and completion of a historically accurate paint scheme that was determined by analysis of paint layers on the house. Exterior work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The exterior work is being undertaken by CNY Builder Services, LLC, of Lafayette, which was awarded the construction contract for the project.
Funding for Phase One of the project – the exterior restoration – has been provided through grants from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund of the department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for $500,000; the Urban Initiatives Program of the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation along with the state Homes and Community Renewal for $200,000; the CNY Community Foundation Inc. for $30,000; and the William & Mary L. Thorpe Charitable Fund for $20,000. The Arts & Crafts Society of Central New York also donated $10,000.
The Gustav Stickley House Foundation, a non-profit organization, is also raising funds for the project. At the event, the foundation announced its “Community Campaign for Completion,” a campaign to raise $35,000 towards completion of Phase One. The foundation has already received a commitment of $5,000 in matching funds from its board members. Information for making a donation appears on this website: .http://gustavstickleyhousefoundation.org/donate/
GSHF, which serves as an advisory board regarding the preservation, is raising funds to ensure successful completion of the restoration as well as on-going use and maintenance of the house. GSHF will also be is actively pursuing fundraising through various preservation grants, corporate sponsorships and private donations for Phase Two of the project – which will focus on restoration of the historically significant interior.
Plans to restore the Gustav Stickley House were made possible when its previous owner, the furniture company of Stickley, Audi and Co., donated the house to UNPA, which has been overseeing Phase One. Once the exterior work is completed, ownership will be transferred to the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA), which will complete Phase Two – interior restoration.
By Patricia Rycraft O’Toole