Historic Waterford, NY National Register-Listed Home at Risk.
The brick masonry residence located at 44 Middle Street, Waterford, New York in the Waterford Village National Historic District was the site of emergency stabilization actions taken in May and early June under the authority of the Village of Waterford, pursuant to public safety concerns and preliminary to possible demolition. Difficulties that officials reported reaching responsible parties following a partial collapse of a brick masonry exterior wall led to this action.
The home has been owned since 1943 by members of the Cerqua family, two generations of the family having immigrated to Waterford from Lazio, Italy in 1913-1915. The house has been vacant since 2012 and is now part of the estate of the last surviving owner.
The home consists of two sections dating to the late federal period and reflects the architectural style known locally as the “Waterford gable”, or Dutch revival stepped gable. Preliminary research suggests the rear section of the house dates to approximately the late 1830’s and the front part of the house along Middle Street, to perhaps the late 1850’s. The two story home with attic and cellar was described in its 1976 National Register nomination form by the then-Village of Waterford historian, Mr. Gary Douglas, as being an “excellent example of the typical “Waterford Architecture”.”
By the 1860’s, the property was owned by Lysander Button, machinist, inventor, proprietor of the famed Button Fire-Engine Works and prominent Waterford industrialist of the 19th Century. It appears Lysander Button owned several homes in the vicinity during the course of his long life (1810-1898) including 22 Third Street, a Second Empire styled residence reportedly built in 1876, and located just a half block away from his federal style house at 44 Middle Street. Below are included several links to websites concerning Lysander Button and the Button Fire-Engine Works.
Estate-related assets may not be accessible in the short time frame available to promptly accomplish more permanent stabilization measures and the significant exterior repairs necessary to remove the property from the possibility of near-term emergency demolition. Other options including outreach efforts and various financing possibilities are in discussion. Additional information about a possible deadline for repairs and any impending public hearing or vote by a public body to proceed with demolition will be posted here and further updates made, as information becomes available.
Persons interested in the history and architecture of the historic 44 Middle Street Button-Cerqua residence, and those wanting to help in any way with advocacy, monetary support, technical assistance, advice and expertise directed at saving this structure and preventing its demolition and further deterioration, and advancing related longer-term restoration and preservation efforts, are urged to contact:
Mr. William Engleman
Phone: (518) 709-6547
(Disclaimer: Inclusion of these web links DOES NOT indicate or imply any involvement in, position about or endorsement of efforts to save 44 Middle Street from demolition, by the public and private organizations and individuals owning these websites.)
The property comprises lots depicted as "8" and "9" and found in the listing for "Middle Street, South Side" on this Beers Atlas map (New Topographical Atlas of Saratoga County, New York, Stone & Stewart Publ., Philadelphia, 1866) of the Village:
| Waterford - Saratoga Co. Atlas |
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| Lysander Button - Wikipedia |
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| Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs: Button By Robert G. Sullivan, Schenectady County Public Library Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs is a four-volume set covering nine counties in the Hudson Valley /... |
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| Button Fire Engine Company | Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Cen... |
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