Hornell, N.Y. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Lincoln Gardens was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. The site is currently undergoing structural renovations to a 25-unit apartment complex for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities or traumatic brain injuries. Since its construction in 1924, Lincoln Gardens formally known as Lincoln Elementary School, has been a landmark in the City of Hornell. The official designation expands opportunities for federal historic tax credits and other resources to support future preservation and development initiatives.
“Over the last ninety years, Lincoln Gardens is a staple in the community with a long and illustrious history serving the people of Hornell as a public school, and subsequently as a housing development,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The honor and prestige of being listed on the register will help bolster tourism and development in the area. The Lincoln Gardens can now represent the Southern Tier’s progress and history on the National Register of Historical Places.”
“The City of Hornell is excited for new life within the Lincoln Gardens building,” said Mayor Shawn Hogan. “The building is very important to our redevelopment and will allow for much needed housing options in our community. My thanks to Senator Gillibrand for her push to list Lincoln Gardens on the National Register. This exciting news means the Lincoln Gardens will preserve its place in our history while giving us more opportunities for federal investment.”
The full text of Senator Gillibrand’s original letter to the National Park Service Director included below.
Jonathan B. Jarvis
Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Director Jarvis,
I write in support of the candidacy of the Lincoln Gardens Housing Development in Hornell, NY for placement on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. This building has a long and illustrious history serving the people of Hornell, New York, first as a school house, and subsequently as a housing development.
Lincoln Gardens, formally known as Lincoln Elementary School, has been a landmark in the town of Hornell since its construction in 1924. The building is a significant work of twentieth century architecture exhibiting design features that include dark colored brick walls and flat roofing, as well as one-story arched entrance ways and grouped windows in every classroom. Due to a declining population, the school closed in 1979 and was temporarily used as an adjunct facility for St. James Mercy Hospital.
Currently being converted into a housing development, Lincoln Gardens demonstrates the area’s commitment to education and community. While it is no longer a school, the site will continue to serve the citizens of Hornell in its current capacity as a 25-unit apartment complex for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities or traumatic brain injuries. The Lincoln building is a distinguished structure and a great example of a 1920s elementary school in a small Western New York community. Inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places will highlight the building’s role as an anchor site for the community and to the dedication of the citizens of Hornell to maintaining their historic sites.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator