In addition to maintaining two museums and conducting walking tours, members of the Friends of Historic Kingston carry on a number of active programs aimed at preserving and celebrating Kingston's history.

We advocate historic building preservation

In 1969, at our behest, the City's Common Council passed a Landmarks Ordinance that created the first locally designated historic district and established a seven-member Kingston Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Commission encourages historic preservation locally and reviews proposed changes to the exterior of properties within the City's historic districts.

For many years beginning in 1976, the Friends spearheaded efforts to restore Kingston 's 1875 City Hall, working with the Old City Hall Rehabilitation Committee. In 2002, through the efforts of our late Mayor T. R. Gallo, the newly and magnificently restored City Hall once again became the home of city government. We continue to provide advocacy for historic preservation issues.

We sponsor historic designations

Researched and sponsored by Friends' members, these districts have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and also designated as local historic districts:

• Clinton Avenue Historic District (1969)
  
• Kingston Stockade Historic District (1974)
  
• Rondout-West Strand Historic District (1978)
  
• Chestnut Street Historic District (1984)
  
  Individually designated buildings include: Senate House (1970), Kingston City Hall (1971), Community Theatre (UPAC - 1978); Kingston-Port Ewen Suspension Bridge (1979); Kingston/Rondout 2 Lighthouse (1980); Ponkhockie Union Chapel (1980); Cornell Steamboat Company Shops (1980); Kingston Carnegie Library (1995); seven houses on Albany Avenue (2002); and the Sharp Burying Ground (2002).

We save buildings by restoring them

Since 1972, the Friends of Historic Kingston has saved four buildings that were threatened with demolition or extreme neglect. Our group purchased, renovated, and resold these buildings to new owners.

• 95 John Street - "The Luke Kierstead House" (1972)
• 20 John Street (1977)
• 15 Hone Street (1979)
• 292 Clinton Avenue - "The Amelia Westbrook House" (1999)

We support and maintain...

Frog Alley...Located at the northwest corner of Kingston's 1658 stockade, this property houses the stone ruins of the Louw-Bogardus house and also is the site of an interpretative exhibit showing what a small section of the original stockade looked like.

Sharp Burying Ground...In agreement with the City, we are restoring and maintain this 19th century burial ground located on Albany Avenue. The family of John Sudam, who built the house at 63 Main Street and now the Fred J. Johnston Museum, is buried here.

We educate and celebrate

Annual Community Service Awards Program. Each year, we honor one or more members of the community for restorations to their properties or other preservation efforts.

Publications. In addition to brochures about Kingston's history, historic districts and historic preservation guidelines, the Friends have an on-going commitment to publishing books and pamphlets related to local history and heritage. See Publications