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Number 99 Winter 05-06
QUANTIFYING THE HUDSON VALLEY'S HERITAGE SITES: A report to the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area on Advisor Wint Aldrich's visits and interviews with over 80 heritage sites, provides a context of external impressions and internal need among LHC's constituents. Signage tops the list of factors that will enable sites of all sizes and governance to provide broader public access to this unique heritage region. "The mission statement of the National Heritage Area…directs us to recognize, preserve and interpret the nationally significant cultural and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley for the benefit of the nation. There can be no doubt that ongoing accomplishment of this magnificent charge rests and will continue to rest largely on the successful operation of these heritage sites, along with others that are being added to the cadre. Although there are ample reasons for concern about trends, conditions affecting these sites and heritage tourism generally, I complete this review feeling somewhat more encouraged. The dedication and faithfulness of those who work (and) volunteer at the properties is deeply inspiring." -J. Winthrop Aldrich (NHA Advisor; former Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation, NYSOPRHP; municipal historian, Town of Red Hook; and LHC individual member.) "Of 90 sites presently "designated" by the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA), about 50 are house museums, i.e. interpreted houses furnished either with objects original to the properties in the period of their greatest cultural or historical significance, or furnished…with objects from other sources. 36 are art, history or natural history museums, libraries or archives. Some heritage sites combine these research, museum and house museum functions. And then there are three sculpture parks, four battlefields and several open space properties," adding to the visual definition of this region. According to Mr. Aldrich's report, "no issue elicited as vehement and nearly unanimous expression as the immediate need for improved directional signs serving individual sites and placed on interstate, state, county and local roads. The signs are wanted, and so is the prompt authorization for their placement, wherever needed. …it is this category (of need) that has reduced our constituents to a state of exasperation. They know from long, painful experience that the failure to have such signs installed deprives them of visitors or puts in ill-humor some of those who finally make their way to the site." Economic Development and Visitor Data retrieved for the Heritage Area in the Aldrich study and in a 2002 survey of 38 sites by Dr. Ann Davis, Marist College, indicate that the average visitor's age is 46, their median income $81,516, that three quarters of the sample had college degrees, and that their direct expenditures at or near heritage sites were estimated at $300 million a year… (worth $600 million in the regional economy), suggesting that economic impact figures can be doubled when applied to the full array of nearly 90 sites, generating an annual boon of more than $1 billion. Paid & Volunteer Staff Data: Of even greater ongoing impact to advocacy and capacity-building for the sites, are the figures that aggregate full-time employees at these sites at 811; part-time employees at 691; and volunteers "an astounding …5,152." Estimating volunteer hours at 100 per individual per year (that's only 2 hrs/week each) at $20/hour, the annual contribution could be computed at well over $10 million." The Annual Operating Budgets (excluding capital projects) for these 80+ heritage sites in aggregate total $68,057,257-- ranging from $2,500 at John Burrow's Slabsides, to $12 million at the State Museum. "Like visitor expenditures on meals, lodging and shopping, …most of these site expenditures—payroll, supplies, fuel, etc.—remain in the community and help prosper the local economy. Using an approximation of the regional tourism multiplier from the… U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Dr. Davis determined that we can reasonably attribute a net benefit to the Hudson Valley economy of twice the number deriving from these site budget expenditures- some $136 million. Mr. Aldrich's report concludes: "…we must be ever aware—and make others aware—that such is the scope of what has been created by society over the past 150 years as a magnificent heritage legacy in the Hudson Valley: more than 80 properties worth billions of dollars, preserving thousands of acres, landmark buildings and art collections, served by thousands of employees and volunteers, and attracting millions of visitors every year, generating well over $1 billion in benefit to the Valley's economy. This legacy is directly or indirectly the creation of the American people and the people of New York through public appropriations or the operation of the tax codes encouraging charitable contributions. And the legacy in all its diversity and richness is in jeopardy if popular interest in and support for heritage sites continues to wane in this country." LHC 05/06 Annual Appeal Contributions Head Toward $5500 Goal in First Month- Your Generosity Continues To Buoy and Support Our Intensive Strategic Planning Efforts. Thanks to friends, colleagues, trustees, members and supporters thus far from 10 counties of New York State, from Connecticut and from Massachusetts, LHC is pleased to announce that, as of January 25th, our 05/06 annual appeal has brought 58 generous individual contributions totaling $4,360. There's still time to send your support to Lower Hudson Conference of Historical Agencies & Museums! Our Valentine Thank You goes to: Jan P. Adelson, Scarborough FOLKS IN THE FIELD At a meeting of the LHC Board of Trustees on November 17, 2005, Board President Charles T. Lyle announced and accepted, with regret, the resignation of Diane DeChillo (Program Manager, Ellenville Public Library & Museum, Ellenville (Ulster Co). He appointed, with Board ratification, Stephen A. Yarabek (Landscape Architect/Principal, Hudson & Pacific Designs, Saugerties, Ulster Co.) to a position on the 2006 LHC Board. Regionally focused on preservation of historic landscapes, views and ridgelines, Stephen was co-founder of a program in Bioregional Development at Wainwright House in Rye (W), the Hudson Valley Bioregional Conference, the Long Island Sound Task Force, the Hudson Valley Sustainable Development Forum, and formerly chaired the board of Hudsonia, Ltd. Stephen Yarabek presently serves on the board of managers for the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area; the property council of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill (D); the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and Friends of Czech Greenways. Kimberly Adams has taken the position of Program Coordinator at Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers (W). Jill Annitto is now Photo Archivist at the Brooklyn Historical Society, Brooklyn (K). The Historic House Trust of NYC (NY) announced new education positions in Brooklyn (K): Katherine Chan is Director of Education at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, and Erik Karff is Education Curator at Lefferts Historic House. Joseph Godla, former Senior Conservator for Historic New England (formerly SPNEA), is now Chief Conservator of the Frick Collection (NY). Mindy Krazmien is the new Executive Director at the Putnam County Historical Society-Foundry School Museum, Cold Spring (P). Nikea Redhead is now PR and Marketing Coordinator at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum (NY). Alexandra Parsons Wolfe is now Executive Director at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, Bronx (BX). Do you or your organization have news of personnel changes and/or Board development to broadcast to your colleagues? Please send it to LHC and we will help introduce new folks in the field to the Lower Hudson Conference community.
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