Farm's historic designation effort gets boost

By Heather Nellis, Recorder News Staff

TOWN OF AMSTERDAM -- A grant was awarded to the town and the Friends
of the Sanford Stud Farm Thursday that will fund the lion's share of
preparing the site's application for nomination to the State and
National Register of Historic Places.

Considering the former 1,100 acre complex is nationally and
internationally renowned in thoroughbred horse breeding circles,
Preservation League of New York State President Jay DiLorenzo said the
site's nomination "is a no brainer."

"The site is already considered eligible for nomination, but it's an
informal determination," he said. "It really should be on the
register."

It costs money to prepare the application, and the $1,950 grant from
the league will complement funds dedicated by the town, which owns
three structures on the farm.

"There is no cost to nominate something for the register, but there is
a cost for preparing the application," DiLorenzo explained.

In this case, the funds will pay for architectural historian Jessie
Ravage to review the site's architecture and history, and chronicle
why it should be deemed worthy of the register.

Inclusion on the register would mean for much more than just a distinction.

"It helps raise visibility of the site, and makes it eligible for
other grants and loans," DiLorenzo said.

Revenue for renovations would be greatly welcomed, said town
Supervisor Thomas DiMezza. Six years worth of construction projects
have started to revitalize the majestic barn, which sat idle for 40
years before the town took ownership of 1.25 acres and three
structures in April 2006.

"The boiler room and the ceiling need work, but we're getting there,"
DiMezza said. "Getting on the accredited list would help secure more
grants, and we're happy to get that kind of boost."

Hundreds of thousands of dollars have already been pumped into the
historic broodmare barn's restorations, but friends President L.F.
"Sam" Hildebrandt Jr. says a five-year-long road awaits the group in
what he estimates to be another $100,000 in projects to get the
structure in position to be used as a visitor's center.

Stephen Sanford, owner of the former Amsterdam carpet business that
employed 25 percent of the city's population at its height, started
what's referred to as the Hurricana Stud Farm in 1880 upon
recommendation from his doctor to find some recreational activities
away from work.

After a century of operation, housing 10 stallions and 50 mares at a
time and producing between 25 and 40 foals a year, the farm closed for
good in the 1970s.

"The Sanford family was one of the original Saratoga racing families.
We are so pleased to receive this Preserve New York grant as we
prepare to celebrate the 100th running of the Sanford Memorial Stakes
at Saratoga in 2014."

-- 
Bob Sullivan
Schenectady Digital History Archive
<http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/>
Schenectady County (NY) Public Library