Save Rutger Park's Mansions
Donation protected
The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica was chartered by the State of New York on October 25, 1974, as a nonprofit educational corporation to preserve historic buildings and districts in the Greater Utica Area. Since its inception, Landmarks has been the leading voice for the preservation and restoration of historic, irreplaceable buildings, districts and sites in the Greater Utica Area.
The Rutger Park Restoration Project
In 2008, Landmarks became the owners of the mansions at Number 1 and Number 3 Rutger Park. We are currently in the second phase of the Rutger Park Restoration Project. Get the latest on our blog site.
The elegant mansions of the Rutger-Steuben Park National Historic District reflect the prosperity of Utica between the years of 1830 and 1890. The names of the original occupants are a roster of the important merchants and industrialists of a young America, and Rutger Street as a whole still contains numerous examples of late nineteenth century villas executed in the Italianate style. It is one of the largest groupings of these structures in the Northeast, and its significance earned it a place on the National Register in 1973.
The centerpiece of the neighborhood are the five original mansions of Rutger Park which, until the 1994 demolition of Number 2, offered a nearly complete ensemble of major nineteenth century American domestic architecture styles. The elegant mansions not only reflect the stature of their early owners, but also the general prosperity of Utica before 1900. During that period, the opening of the Erie and Chenango Canals, coupled with the establishment of the textile industry in Utica and along the Oriskany and Sauquoit Creek, the building of railroads and continuing agricultural production (including the export of cheddar cheese and hops) brought major economic growth to Central New York, from which Utica especially benefited.
In 2008, Landmarks became the owners of the mansions at Number 1 and Number 3 Rutger Park and their associated estate grounds, including the lot where Number 2 stood from 1850 - 1994. The Philip Hooker designed 3 Rutger Park (c.1830), often referred to as the Miller-Conkling-Kernan house, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant structures in the Northeast. Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this prime example of the Greek Revival style was home to many notable persons including political boss Roscoe Conkling. The A.J. Davis designed 1 Rutger Park (c.1854) was once the residence of both Samuel Remington and John C. Devereux. The architectural plans for this home are in the archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In order to preserve Rutger Park for future generations to appreciate and experience, Landmarks has undertaken the Rutger Park Restoration Project to complete the long-range, multi-million dollar, professional historic preservation of both mansions. The ultimate goal of the project is to have two restored and staffed house museums with estate gardens that are open to the public year-round. Currently, the homes are open to the public by advance arrangement, or twice a year for guided "hardhat tours" at our signature annual events, Picnic in the Park and History Comes Alive at Rutger Park.
The Rutger Park Restoration Project
In 2008, Landmarks became the owners of the mansions at Number 1 and Number 3 Rutger Park. We are currently in the second phase of the Rutger Park Restoration Project. Get the latest on our blog site.
The elegant mansions of the Rutger-Steuben Park National Historic District reflect the prosperity of Utica between the years of 1830 and 1890. The names of the original occupants are a roster of the important merchants and industrialists of a young America, and Rutger Street as a whole still contains numerous examples of late nineteenth century villas executed in the Italianate style. It is one of the largest groupings of these structures in the Northeast, and its significance earned it a place on the National Register in 1973.
The centerpiece of the neighborhood are the five original mansions of Rutger Park which, until the 1994 demolition of Number 2, offered a nearly complete ensemble of major nineteenth century American domestic architecture styles. The elegant mansions not only reflect the stature of their early owners, but also the general prosperity of Utica before 1900. During that period, the opening of the Erie and Chenango Canals, coupled with the establishment of the textile industry in Utica and along the Oriskany and Sauquoit Creek, the building of railroads and continuing agricultural production (including the export of cheddar cheese and hops) brought major economic growth to Central New York, from which Utica especially benefited.
In 2008, Landmarks became the owners of the mansions at Number 1 and Number 3 Rutger Park and their associated estate grounds, including the lot where Number 2 stood from 1850 - 1994. The Philip Hooker designed 3 Rutger Park (c.1830), often referred to as the Miller-Conkling-Kernan house, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant structures in the Northeast. Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this prime example of the Greek Revival style was home to many notable persons including political boss Roscoe Conkling. The A.J. Davis designed 1 Rutger Park (c.1854) was once the residence of both Samuel Remington and John C. Devereux. The architectural plans for this home are in the archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In order to preserve Rutger Park for future generations to appreciate and experience, Landmarks has undertaken the Rutger Park Restoration Project to complete the long-range, multi-million dollar, professional historic preservation of both mansions. The ultimate goal of the project is to have two restored and staffed house museums with estate gardens that are open to the public year-round. Currently, the homes are open to the public by advance arrangement, or twice a year for guided "hardhat tours" at our signature annual events, Picnic in the Park and History Comes Alive at Rutger Park.
Organizer
Lou Parrotta
Organizer
Utica, NY