FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2026

Mayor Noble Announces Historic Preservation Month in Kingston

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the City of Kingston has declared May Historic Preservation Month in Kingston and will hold the City’s first Historic Preservation Award ceremony on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Mayor Noble said, “Kingston has an important history and renowned architecture that is certainly worth honoring and celebrating. With the launch of Historic Preservation Month, we are hoping to share highlights from the remarkable past that has shaped our City and continues to make Kingston unique. With the award, we are pleased to honor local buildings, architects, designers, artisans, historic preservation advocates and educators. I congratulate all the winners and look forward to celebrating their contributions to our community.” 

The inaugural Historic Preservation Awards honorees will be:

• Derrick McNab and team in the category of Professional Services & Craftsmanship
• Reher Center for Immigrant Culture & History in the category of Project Excellence
• Pine Street African Burial Ground/Harambe Kingston, NY in the category of Public Advocacy & Education

Historic Landmark Preservation Commission Chair Mark Grunblatt said, “It is a distinct honor to celebrate Historic Preservation Month alongside my fellow Historic Landmark Commissioners, the City Government, and Kingstonians. As HLPC Chairman and member of over 30 years, it is so meaningful to come together this month to spotlight the special historic buildings, districts, and places in our community, as well as the good work of owners in preserving their buildings for generations to come. Historic Preservation is a powerful community planning tool that connects us with our past, informs us for a better future, fosters job creation and economic growth, and strengthens our community. I look forward to learning, working, and celebrating together with you over this special month.”

On February 5, 2026, the HLPC officially established the Annual Award Program to identify, recognize, support, and promote the good work of historic preservationists in the City of Kingston. The award program’s foundation coincides with the Semi-quincentennial (250th) of the Nation’s Founding, the 60th anniversary of the HLPC’s creation, and the 60th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act’s passage, and the 50th anniversary of the City of Kingston joining NYS’s Certified Local Government Program.

Please join the Historic Landmark Preservation Commission for the first Historic Preservation Award ceremony on Monday May 11, 2026, at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 420 Broadway. Following the awards, a presentation on Historic Tax Credits 101 for Homeowners in Kingston’s Historic Districts will be presented by Kate Wood of Worth Preserving and Marissa Marvelli, Historic Preservationist.

Historic Preservation Month will include events that promote historic places which instill national, regional, and local pride, promote heritage tourism, and showcase the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.  Look for weekly publications that will highlight historic preservation topics relevant to Kingston. See: https://engagekingston.com/32415/widgets/115576/documents/80837

The City of Kingston recently received a $50,000 grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) to create a Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan and City-Wide Historic Design Guidelines. For more information on the City of Kingston’s historic preservation efforts, please visit https://engagekingston.com/.