Feb 24, 2026
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) announced today that six local governments will receive a combined $180,000 in grant funds to support community historic preservation projects. This funding comes from the federal Certified Local Government (CLG) program.
“The Certified Local Government program is a critical asset for communities working to strengthen their historic preservation efforts,” said OPRHP Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser. “These CLG grants provide funding for targeted training, community education and expanded historic research – helping communities better understand and confidently use preservation resources.”
Established by a 1980 Amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Certified Local Government program is a nationwide initiative that directly links a community’s historic preservation goals to state and federal preservation programs. Each State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) administers the CLG program through services designed to help communities protect, preserve, and celebrate their historic resources. Grant application requests this round far exceeded available funding. Six CLGs have been selected to receive grants from the FFY 2025 funding for community preservation projects. Project descriptions and award amounts follow:
City of Kingston, Ulster County – Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan & Design Guidelines
Grant Amount: $50,000
Project Description: The City of Kingston will hire a nationally accredited consultant to concurrently develop its first Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan and City-Wide Historic Design Guidelines. Kingston’s rich cultural and architectural history make these plans critical and prudent tools for city planners, commissioners, policy makers, residents, and local historic property owners. For this reason, the consultant will engage residents, the local government, and SHPO to craft an equitable short-and-long-range vision with clear guidance on projects and treatments to protect, promote, and enhance local historic and cultural resources.
Village of Cooperstown, Otsego County – 2026 Statewide Preservation Conference
Grant Amount: $40,000
Project Description: The Village of Cooperstown will partner with the Landmark Society of Western New York to host the 2026 Statewide Preservation Conference at the Otesaga Hotel & Resort.
City of New Rochelle, Westchester County – Historic Design Guidelines
Grant Amount: $40,000
Project Description: New Rochelle is committed to historic preservation, with more than a dozen locally landmarked sites and one historic district. To advance these efforts and better serve the community, the city will update its historic district design guidelines and manual of styles. The existing documents, from 1988 and 2009, no longer meet current needs. Lacking sufficient in-house resources, the City requires an experienced consultant to complete the updates. Grant funds will support consulting services.
Village of Greenport, Suffolk County – Survey and National Register Nominations
Grant Amount: $25,000
Project Description: The Village of Greenport will utilize grant funds to expand the existing National Register nomination for the Greenport Village Historic District. The original nomination leaves out many properties that may be eligible for inclusion, and this project supports the Village’s goal to maintain a thorough inventory of historic properties that warrant preservation.
Village of Springville, Erie County – Public Education Project
Grant Amount: $20,000
Project Description: The Springville Public Education Project will raise public knowledge and acceptance of local historic preservation programs by leading public information and outreach sessions tailored to the public, elected officials, and to homeowners and commercial property owners in historic districts. The workshop series will highlight Springville’s historic assets and demystify the historic preservation board process through updated brochures and website info. This initiative responds to the demonstrated lack of knowledge about the role of historic preservation in maintaining a healthy community.
City of Syracuse, Onondaga County – Landmark Preservation Board Training Series
Grant Amount: $5,000
Project Description: The City of Syracuse will present a training series for the members of the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board and members of other CLG commissions statewide would be welcome to attend. The series has general topics including board operations (legal and procedural), preservation law, interpretation of design standards, and enforcement. It will also include Syracuse-specific topics regarding city history and the local preservation program. The training will be presented by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, CLG staff, and local experts. The goal of the training is to provide local commission members in Syracuse and statewide with the tools necessary to fulfill its mission and ensure consistent and defensible decision-making.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.