MODEST TO MAGNIFICENT
Saratoga Springs weekend tour to showcase area’s historic homes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> On Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, the Historic Homes Tour hosted by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will provide the public the rare opportunity to see an array of interiors from one of the oldest and more modest homes in Saratoga Springs to some of our city’s most magnificent.
Kicking off this year’s event is a Porch Party held on the grand porches of 688 North Broadway and 718 North Broadway on Thursday, May 11. The event provides the unique opportunity to enjoy cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres by Lily and the Rose,
and music by local musicians Rich Ortiz and Jonathan Newell while enjoying scenic North Broadway.
36 FRANKLIN ST.
The small yellow wood clapboard house at 36 Franklin St. is considered the oldest surviving residence in Saratoga Springs. The house was built in 1815 in the federal style on land originally owned by Thomas J. Marvin -- an attorney, judge and a member of the state Assembly. However, it is not clear if he built the house since many records do not date back that far. The house has changed over its 200 year history. It originally had chimneys at each end, but those have been since removed. In 1845, Gothic Revival style details were added, possibly by James J. Traver, a carpenter, who may have rented the house prior to purchasing the property in 1847. In the 1870s, Traver lived in the house with Leroy Traver, a contractor. Their relationship is not known, but it was during this time that the front porch was added. The house remained in the Traver family until 1979. Over the years the house had fallen into disrepair. In 1982, Timothy Reed purchased the house and restored it.
Reed sold the property in 2008 to David Abbott who had plans to change the interior and build an addition. Abbott gutted the house, but was unable to complete the work. Reed retained ownership again for a brief period of time before he sold it to Bob Israel in 2011. He and his son, Charlie completed the interior, leaving some of the log rafters and timber frame exposed. In 2013, Charlie purchased the property and lives there today with his dog Sally.
2 CLEMENT AVE.
The stately residence at the corner of Clement Avenue and State Street was built circa 1885. The Shingle Style house with its rusticated stone lower story and foundation, varying shingle cladding, tower and porches was built as a summer cottage for George B. Cluett. Cluett started as a clerk at Maulin & Bigelow, manufacturers of men’s shirt collars, and became a partner in 1861. Upon dissolution of that partnership, he and his brothers formed the company George B. Cluett, Brothers & Company, which became a successful collar, cuff, and shirt manufacturer based in Troy that distributed goods to New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, and San Francisco. The house remained in the Cluett family until 1925.
In 1925, Edward Murphy, purchased the property. Murphy was a prominent attorney in Troy who was the son of US Senator Edward Murphy who owned a successful brewery in Troy. His daughter, Helen Murphy Zeigler, who was married to the millionaire sportsman, real estate operator and manufacturer, William Zeigler Jr., became the owner of the house in 1938. In 1952 the house was sold to Dorr E. Newton of St. Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The house had several owners before Mary Gavin and Jim LaVigne purchased the property in 2000. They moved to Saratoga Springs because they wanted to live in a community that had a lot to offer. Working with realtor Carole Tarantino, they looked at several houses. Upon viewing 2 Clement Avenue with its large rooms with natural light at 8:00 they were in escrow by 8:45 that same morning. “It was the one,” Mary said. The house needed extensive work - the portico and the porch were in poor condition and needed structural repairs. In addition, the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical wiring all needed to be replaced. Working with local architect Tom Frost, they made interior changes and built the garage – “a must for living in upstate New York,” according to Mary. After living in the home for 15 years, “it was time for a change, something different” so they moved to a condo in town. While they enjoy living in their condo, Mary misses the amazing front porch. The house is currently on the market should anyone be looking for a beautiful historic home.
53 GREENFIELD AVE.
The carriage house that was associated with 2 Clement Avenue and the two adjacent houses on Clement Avenue that were built by Edmund Cluett and John William Albert Cluett is also on the tour. The circa 1890 building was built in the same architectural style, featuring shingles and a Dutch Gambrel roof. Each house had a driveway that to the carriage house, each having its own carriage space, stable, and tack room. The property remained with the three houses on Clement for a period of time and at some point was subdivided. Over the years, the carriage house was used for storage and at one point was said to have been where pheasants were raised. For periods of times it sat vacant.
In 2007, Robert Courtney and Charlene Wood purchased the property and did an extensive renovation to convert the carriage house into a beautiful residence. Many of the original features were retained including some of the carriage doors, stall doors, horse stalls, and beadboard. The Foundation recognized their efforts with an Adaptive Reuse Award in 2013. The current owners, Betsy and Peter Olmsted purchased the property from Matthew and Lorna Kapusta in 2015. Both alumni of Skidmore College, the Olmsted’s returned to the area for Peter’s job. The open plan with wonderful natural light and its location within walking distance to downtown attracted them to the house. The stable stalls that remain now serve as the design studio for Betsy’s textile company, Betsy Olmsted. Her textiles throughout the house make for a colorful, fun place.
1 STARBUCK LANE
Another wonderful adaptive reuse of a carriage house that is on the tour is 1 Starbuck Lane. One Starbuck Lane was built in 1899 by Edgar and Ella Starbuck to serve their house at 11 Fifth Avenue. Starbuck was the owner of a Starbuck’s Department store, a threestory, full-service department store that graced Broadway for 98 years. The brick carriage house built in the same style of architecture as 11 Fifth Avenue had living quarters for the stableman on the east side of the building. Upon Starbuck’s death in 1926, his son Edgar, Jr. and his daughter Kathryn H. Starbuck inherited the property. It remained in the Starbuck family until 1944 when Lynn Bickelhaupt purchased it. After his death, his son John moved into the house. It was during this time that the carriage house was made into two apartments. In 1969, Harold and Virginia Haskell from South Nyack, NY purchased the property. It was during their ownership that the carriage house was subdivided from 11 Fifth Avenue, where their daughter, Holly Grande, still resides.
In 1976, their son Noel Haskell acquired the carriage house. He made upgrades to the apartments and made exterior changes, including the front porch. In 1990, Haskell sold it to Carole Tarantino, who converted it into a single-family residence with the help of her husband, architect Tom Frost. Tom continues to reside in the residence following the passing of Carole in 2015.
In addition, three magnificent homes on North Broadway will be featured on the tour: the 1885 Edgar T. Brackett House, 605 North Broadway; 1877 Southgate– Breslin– Green Cottage, 688 North Broadway; and 1886 Eli Clinton Clark House, 795 North Broadway.
This tour would not be possible without the generous support of our Honorary Co-Chairs, Tamie Ehinger and Alex Willard, and members of the Honorary Committee as well as our corporate sponsors, which includes our Doric level sponsors – Bonacio Construction, Curtis Lumber, DeCrescente Distributing Company, Miller Printing, the New York Racing Association, and Stewart’s Shops – and Tuscan level sponsors – Cudney’s Launderers & Dry Cleaners, deJonghe Original Jewelry, East & Lake, Explore Saratoga, Lemery Greisler, LISABATESDESIGN, Saratoga Builders Association, SpinMyAd, Teakwood Builders, The Saratoga Social, The Springwater Bed & Breakfast, Witt Construction, and WMHT.
The Porch Party is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 11. Tickets are limited and cost $100. The tour will take place Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance discounted tickets can be purchased for $30 SSPF members/$40 for non-members online at www.saratogapreservation.org or by phone (518) 587-5030. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event for $35 members/$45 non-members at Witt Construction, 563 North Broadway, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, the Foundation is hosting a “Lunch and Learn” the day of the tour at noon at Bethesda Episcopal Church, 41 Washington St., which will also be open during the tour. People can enjoy a boxed lunch compliments of The Barrelhouse and lecture on the history and architecture of the church. Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost $20 SSPF members/$25 nonmembers. Samantha Bosshart is executive director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a private, not-forprofit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs. To learn more or to join please visit www. saratogapreservation.org.