Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Series
Otsego 2000 is presenting a series on historic preservation topics featuring Dr. Cindy Falk, professor of material culture at the Cooperstown Graduate Program.
“This year's programs are purposefully interdisciplinary, incorporating science and history, as well as aesthetics, as they relate to building design, construction, and use, " says Falk.
“This historic preservation series builds on the architectural walking tours Cindy led last summer,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000. “The goal is to enrich our understanding of and appreciation for the built environment in Otsego County.”
Dr. Falk served as co-editor of Buildings & Landscapes: The Journal of the Vernacular Architecture Forum for five years and is the author of Barns of New York: Rural Architecture of the Empire State.
Programs include Historic Building Questions Answered at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market on Tuesday, July 11 from 12-2 pm, with Dr. Falk answering questions about a building’s age, style, and context and where to find additional resources. Participants are encouraged to bring photos to this drop-in program. Ellen Pope will also be on hand to offer information on New York State Tax Credits available for people who own historic homes and barns. Otsego 2000 provides free one-on-one technical assistance in applying for the Historic Home and Barn tax credits. To set up an appointment, call 607/547-8881.
On Sunday, July 16 at 4 pm, Dr. Falk will lead a walking tour in Cooperstown titled “Glorious Glass: Stained Glass Windows in Houses of Worship.” On Sunday, August 20 at 4 pm, she will offer a talk “Raising Barns: Past, Present and Future” at Hyde Hall. Falk will explore connections among agriculture, buildings, and the historic landscape of central New York and argue that old barns still matter in the 21st century, even when their historic uses have faded.
Map of Morris, NY
“More than the County Fair: Walking Tour of the Village of Morris” will be held on Sunday, September 10 at 4 pm, and cover the founding of the village by French refugees, the role of the Morris family, and the Village’s architecture which spans almost two centuries. On Sunday, October 15 at 3 pm, Dr. Falk will lead a walking tour of Cooperstown’s Indigenous Places, exploring the history of the Haudenosaunee in this area as well as the myths about Indigenous people that have developed over time with a focus on those shaped by author James Fenimore Cooper. It will further introduce a new signage program being undertaken by the Village of Cooperstown in partnership with the Cooperstown Graduate Program to help promote understanding of this often-misconstrued history.
The series will conclude on November 12, with a walking tour of Cooperstown offered in conjunction with Glimmerglass Film Days. Reflecting the film festival’s theme of “Messengers,” Dr. Falk will highlight signs, datestones, and makers marks as well as less explicit communications that are embedded in the local built environment.
Talks are free of charge, the walking tours cost $10 unless otherwise noted. Register in advance for the talks and walks at otsego2000.org or by calling 607/547-8881.
Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Series
October 22 at 1 pm (please note date and time change)
Cooperstown as Frontier: Myth and Reality
Meet at the Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown
Free, register in advance at otsego2000.org
Dr. Cindy Falk will lead a walking tour that explores early European settlement in Cooperstown and the impact of colonialization on the Mohawk and other Haudenosaunee Nations. She will discuss myths created by white people about local Indigenous people, with a focus on the stories shaped by author James Fenimore Cooper. This walking tour is presented free of charge through funding by WSKG. This program is part of the Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Series and the Village Library of Cooperstown's "Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein" Series. Free, register in advance online or by calling 607/547-8881. Due to demand, another walk is scheduled for October 21 at 10am. Call the Village Library of Cooperstown, 607/547-8344, or stop in the library to sign up for the Saturday walk.
November 12 at 1:30 pm
Walking Tour: Messages in Paint, Wood, and Stone
Meet in front of Doubleday Field in Cooperstown
As part of Glimmerglass Film Days and the Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Series, Dr. Cindy Falk will lead a walking tour exploring Cooperstown’s architectural landscape and searching for messages from the past. The tour will highlight signs, datestones, and makers marks as well as less explicit communications that are embedded in the local built environment. Free.
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Past Programs
June 14, 5:30 pm
All the Colors of the Rainbow: Deciphering Historic Paint Colors
Upper Susquehanna Cultural Center, 77 North Main Street, Milford, NY
Dr. Cindy Falk will give a free talk on how paint colors changed over time and why.
July 11, 12 pm – 2 pm
Historic Building Questions Answered
Cooperstown Farmers’ Market
101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown, NY
Bring photos of your home or barn and Dr. Cindy Falk will answer questions on its age, style and context. Ellen Pope of Otsego 2000 will offer information on New York State Tax Credits available for people who own historic homes and barns. Drop-in program. Farmers’ Market open from 12 pm to 4 pm.
July 16, 4 pm
Glorious Glass Walking Tour: Stained Glass Windows in Houses of Worship
First Baptist Church, 21 Elm Street, Cooperstown, NY
Dr. Cindy Falk will lead a walking tour of Cooperstown’s houses of worship, focusing on the windows. Colored glass, stenciling, and painted glass have all been used in Cooperstown to create windows that have stories to tell. $10.
August 20 at 4 pm
Raising Barns: Past, Present and Future
Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown, NY (use Mill Road entrance)
Dr. Cindy Falk will explore connections among agriculture, buildings, and the historic landscape of central New York and argue that old barns still matter in the 21st century, even when their historic uses have faded. welcome.
September 10, at 4 pm
More than the County Fair: Walking Tour of the Village of Morris
Meet at Morris Central School, 65 W. Main St, Morris, NY
Dr. Cindy Falk will lead a walking tour highlighting Morris’ history and architecture.