Conservancy Celebrates Restoration of Historic Old Stone Mill At The New York Botanical Garden
James Mahoney, Fund Program Coordinator of New York City Historic Properties Fund, guides a large group on an historic walking tour.
Colleen Heemeyer, Conservancy Manager of Grants and Technical Services, leads a tram tour.
Peg Breen, Conservancy President, gives opening remarks
The Lillian and Amy Goldman Stone Mill
Opening day of the newly-restored Lillian and Amy Goldman Stone Mill at the New York Botanical Garden
The New York Landmarks Conservancy co-sponsored two weekend open houses in September at the newly restored 1840 stone mill at The New York Botanical Garden. The mill is one of the City’s most picturesque pre-Civil War industrial buildings and a New York City as well as National Historic Landmark.
Dozens of guests enjoyed music from a three-piece band as they strolled along the sunny courtyard behind the Mill. Conservancy staff joined Garden experts on September 11 and 12, and 18 and 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to offer tours of The Lillian and Amy Goldman Stone Mill, adjacent millrace and Bronx River and surrounding landmarks, gardens and collections.
Conservancy President Peg Breen gave the opening remarks on a beautiful Saturday morning.
“The Conservancy is proud to co-sponsor with the New York Botanical Garden, which is a great steward of its beautiful landmarks buildings,” Breen said.
Built by Peter and George Lorillard, the mill anchors a 100-acre historic Stone Mill precinct at the Garden. The restoration maintains the Mill’s mid-19th century industrial character on the exterior while equipping the three-story interior with modern building systems to create a LEED-certified structure that meets the Silver standard. New landscaping utilizes native species in extensive plantings and involves treating stormwater runoff into the Bronx River.
The Mill will be available for community meetings, conferences and social gatherings, as well as providing office space for the Garden Horticulture curatorial staff.
The 100-acre historic Stone Mill precinct comprises one of the largest, most varied historic landscapes in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. The area contains three mid-19th century buildings; the Bronx River and camel-back bridge; the largest remnant of old-growth forest in the City, eight gardens and collections; undulating terrain and dramatic rock outcrops.
The 250-acre Botanical Garden, a National Historic Landmark, is one of the City’s cultural and educational jewels. It is also an excellent steward of its landmark properties. The New York Landmarks Conservancy has awarded the Garden two coveted Lucy G. Moses Awards: one for the restoration of its 1902 Victorian style glass Conservatory and a second for general stewardship following the restoration of its landmark, 1901 Library Building.
The Mill’s restoration received leadership funding from The Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust and the Amy P. Goldman Foundation and support from The City of New York.
