Assembly Also Restores Funds for Historic Sites: No Final Budget
Staatsburgh—the Hudson River mansion—home of the 19th century financier Ogden Mills, is among the 25 New York historic sites threatened.
The Assembly joined the Senate in passing a one-House budget resolution to restore funding to keep State Parks and Historic Sites open. Each budget resolution differs however. There is no final budget and the governor has not accepted either Houses’ overall proposals.
The legislature is now in a two-week recess. During this time it is important that the governor hears from the public that Historic Sites are important. If you have not done so, we urge you to contact Governor Paterson to let him know that you want him to save the State’s Historic Sites. They promote tourism, and a sense of our shared history. We can’t deprive current and future residents of their legacy. You can help save our heritage.
Click here to email Governor Paterson.
The Governor’s budget cuts to the Office of Parks would mean the closing of up to 25 historic sites across the state. Many of them are important to our national history as well as to New York’s rich cultural heritage. Once closed, this connection to our past could be gone forever. They should not be lost.
“New York is really the birthplace of America. We’ve never promoted New York history as we should and we certainly must not close the sites that tell this important story,” said noted Columbia University historian, Kenneth T. Jackson.
For a list of all the historic sites that could be lost, click here.
