ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

Cazenovia Heritage is a community organization that seeks to conserve our area's cultural resources: its historic architecture, neighborhoods, sites, and objects that contribute much to Cazenovia's unique sense of place and character. We believe that protecting Cazenovia's past is key to its future economic vitality and resiliency. We are comprised of concerned and energized citizens, as well as of local professionals in the fields of architecture, historical preservation, and land use.

Cazenovia Heritage is a tax-exempt 501 c-(3) non-profit organization, as determined by the IRS, and registered with the Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General's office.

WHAT WE DO

Cazenovia Heritage supports the protection, preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive re-use of our historical, architectural, and archeological resources. We provide public education and thought leadership to raise awareness of the importance of and threats to the area's historic cultural resources. We work collaboratively with private citizens, other non-for-profits, and local governments to offer guidance and expertise and to promote a high standard of design, planning, and execution.

As our financial resources grow, we intend to offer financial and professional support to homeowners, businesses, and organizations to maintain architectural integrity when undertaking changes to historical structures.

OUR BOARD

Anne Beckwith Ferguson, President:  Anne's business career has been in the banking industry, where she held management positions in computer systems development, strategic and tactical planning, and large-scale project management. Most recently, Anne served as Senior Vice President for Systems Development at NBT Bank, and previously in executive positions at Riggs Bank, Bank of America/Fleet Bank, and Summit Bank. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she has held a life-long interest in historic preservation, architecture, history, and genealogy. She has served as President and Board member of the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, member of the Town of Cazenovia Planning Board, the Tree Commission, and other community organizations. Anne moved to Cazenovia in 2006 from Washington D.C. and Princeton, New Jersey, though her Cazenovia roots extend back to 1802.

Ted Bartlett, Vice President:  Ted is the Senior Associate and Senior Preservation Planner for Crawford & Stearns, Architects and Preservation Planners in Syracuse, joining the firm in 1986. Previously, he was Preservation Specialist and Director of Preservation Services for the Landmarks Society of Western New York. He holds a BS from Cornell University and completed his MS studies in historic preservation and American history from Middle Tennessee State University. Since 1994 Ted has been an adjunct professor at the School of Architecture at Syracuse University where he developed and continues to teach the School's first architectural preservation practice course. Ted's principal area of expertise lies in the assessment of historic properties and the resultant development of treatment recommendations. Throughout his career--he has been involved in the full spectrum of preservation practice for a wide variety of public, private, and institutional clients throughout New York State and the Mid-Atlantic region--providing research, documentation, development of preservation tax incentive and funding frameworks, and technical consultancies. He has spoken at numerous national, state, and local preservation conferences, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Association for Preservation Technology, and the Preservation League of New York State. Over the last four decades, he also served on a variety of statewide and regional boards, and in a number of volunteer positions. Notably, he has proudly served at the first Chairman of the Cazenovia Village Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Committee since 2007.

Carl D. Stearns, Treasurer:  Carl is the recently retired partner and a founder of Crawford & Stearns, Architects and Preservation Planners, based in Syracuse. He received his bachelor's degree from Cornell University and completed graduate work in 1977 at what was then Cornell's new Preservation Planning Program. Carl was the first registered architect to be hired by the New York State Historic Preservation Office. Carl also was founder of Adirondack Architectural Heritage, which undertook the massive campaign in the 1990s to save Camp Santanoni. Over the years, Carl has provided specialized services for historic preservation projects across New York and technical assistance to numerous properties listed on the National Register. These projects include restorations for non-profits, municipalities, houses, churches, and barns. Carl continues to provide architectural expertise to local community preservation projects.

Michael MacHugh, Secretary:  Mike graduated from Cazenovia College in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in business management.  Originally from the Hudson Valley region of New York, Mike felt a connection with Cazenovia that kept him in the area after college, and he currently resides in the Village. His career has revolved around the insurance industry, currently working with Liberty Mutual Insurance as a manager in the claims department.  Mike served as a volunteer with Cazenovia Heritage for six months, taking a lead role in the Renew Albany Street effort. 

Mark Smith: A central New York native by birth, Mark became familiar with Cazenovia while studying for his M.A. in International Studies at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in the 1980s.  He previously had received his B.A. in Politics & Government with a history minor from the University of Hartford in Connecticut.  After working in university administration, Mark joined law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he works in knowledge management and currently is a senior analyst and non-legal researcher.  Mark purchased a 19th century house  around 2012 in the Village and began its restoration.  After being here part-time, Mark returned to the region in 2020 and took up residence in Cazenovia full-time.

Jeanne Whitney Smith: Jeanne Whitney Smith is a lifelong summer resident of Cazenovia who became a permanent resident last year with her husband, Scott Ferguson. She began her career as a community organizer in various levels of government; then spent several years in the US Peace Corps and Peace Links; and then became the Executive Director of the National Peace Foundation.  She holds a B.A. from Allegheny College in political science and an MBA from Brenau College.  Her interest in historical preservation was furthered while working as a board member and officer of the Lincoln (Virginia) Preservation Foundation. She is proud to be a part of a five generation Cazenovia family.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Our volunteers are what makes Cazenovia Heritage come alive for you! Their energy, ideas, and efforts help preserve the heritage of our community.

Sign up today to become a volunteer with Cazenovia Heritage.