Series IV. Buildings Renovation and Restoration, 1966-2019, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series includes records related to the restoration work on the church and rectory, including Preservation Youth Project (PYP) administrative records, correspondence and other documents regarding suppliers and other service providers, proposals, and the like. There are extensive records related to the funding for these projects, including grant proposals, budgets, financial reports, fundraising solicitations, and the like. Governance and administration of the St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund is well documented with Fund trustee minutes, audit/financial reports, IRS Form 990s, investment account statements, and some detailed transactional accounting records. There are many photographs, including slides and albums, documenting the fire damage, Preservation Youth Project restoration efforts from the 1970s and forward, and events in the 1980s, such as the visit of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
Arrangement
The series includes two subseries of records that span the late 1960s to 2019 and encompass the interrelated initiatives underlying the restorations of St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery and its rectory building. The records are from mixed sources. Certain of the records were created by the St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund (1979-2019). To those over time were added records from former Fund officials during the 2010s, including presidents Georgia Delano, Nicholas Fish, and Stephen Facey. Facey, a former St. Mark's Parish Administrator was an organizer of the Preservation Youth Project and several of the files came from his office. By 2019 when the Landmark Fund closed, all these records were maintained in one set of files within that office. However, with the close and subsequent donation to New-York Historical, St. Mark's identified the appropriate split of records between those generated by the Landmark Fund and those more properly viewed as records of the church. This split is represented by the two subseries and the physical separation of the material, while retaining the close topical relationship here.
Subseries IV.A. St. Mark's Church Preservation Youth Project and Other Restoration Records
Subseries IV.B. St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund
Within each subseries, the files remain as arranged when they arrived at N-YHS. The office files remain in their original folders with original labeling. These original folders include references to drawer, box, and folder numbers; these refer to the files as they were found and inventoried in the Landmark Fund offices from 2015-19.
Biographical / Historical
This series includes records related to the late 20th century preservation of the St. Mark's church building and, after devastating fires, the restoration of the church and rectory into the early 21st century. Following is a sketch of this history as it relates to the content of the series:
The series generally starts in the late 1960s with the formation of the Preservation Youth Project (PYP) in 1968, initially as a summer jobs program and then an after-school work program for neighborhood youth. The project initially completed the restoration of the east and west graveyards before turning in 1975 to a long-range restoration of the interior and exterior of the church building itself. The Friends of St. Mark's was organized to financially support PYP, which in 1975 became a full-time work training program to work on the major renovation project, overseen by artisans and master craftspeople. This project was almost complete when on July 27, 1978, a fire broke out in the church, causing massive damage.
Immediately after the fire, the Friends of St. Mark's re-organized as the Citizen's Committee to Save St. Mark's in order to raise funds towards the Church's restoration. The following year, in 1979, the structure for the receipt and disbursement of monies was formalized as the St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund thanks to a seed gift from LuEsther T. Mertz. Nevertheless the Citizen's Committee name was in common use on solicitations until the work was eventually completed in the mid-1980s. With the work again done by members of the Preservation Youth Project, the church was rededicated in 1983 and the work was fully completed in 1987.
The Landmark Fund that was formed in 1979 had three goals: to restore the historic buildings and grounds of St. Mark's; to generate an endowment for its future care and preservation; and to strengthen the public use of St. Mark's by fostering its innovative arts and community projects. Not long after the completion of the church restoration, another fire ravaged the historic rectory in 1988. This building was a landmark, designed by architect Ernest Flagg in 1900. Again, the Landmark Fund and the PYP were engaged in the restoration. Work was completed on the exterior, but funding could not be obtained to restore the interior for its former use as a rectory. In 1997, the Landmark Fund secured a commitment from the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust to fund the interior restoration provided that the Fund could develop an appropriate, mission-related and financially sustainable adaptive re-use for the building. This resulted in the formation of the Neighborhood Preservation Center (NPC), which opened in 1999.
The NPC provided office space for the Landmark Fund, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, and the Historic Districts Council, as well as offering public meeting spaces, temporary office space to community organizations, and research resources for preservation efforts. The NPC was managed by the Landmark Fund under a 20 year agreement with St. Mark's. With the expiration of that agreement in 2019, management of the former rectory reverted to St. Mark's and the Landmark Fund closed down, turning its records over to the church. The NPC continues to exist, now as a standalone 501(c)3 organization.
(The above note was based on information from the websites of St. Mark's, the New York Preservation Archive Project, and the Neighborhood Preservation Center; documents in the collection; and notes from an earlier finding aid prepared at the Landmark Fund.)
Conditions Governing Access
The material in this series is stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact manuscripts@nyhistory.org prior to your research visit to coordinate access. Keep in mind that it will take between two (2) and five (5) business days for collections to arrive, and you should plan your research accordingly.
Subseries IV.A. St. Mark's Church Preservation Youth Project and Other Restoration Records, 1966-2012, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The subseries includes office files and photographs primarily related to the Preservation Youth Project (PYP) from its earliest formation in the late 1960s through its restoration work into the 1990s. These files include grant proposals, work plans and budgets, fundraising efforts, and participant records. There are also publicity materials about the PYP and its work, as well as the major fires that led to continued restoration work by the PYP. Supplier and contractor estimates and proposals for various aspects of the churchyard and later church work are in these files.
These files also hold various other photographs from the 1970s-2004, related both to some events at St. Mark's and the renovation of the rectory and re-opening as the Neighborhood Preservation Center, as well as some files related to the Landmark Fund's efforts, though these are principally in the following subseries.
Arrangement
With perhaps only minor changes, the files are arranged as delivered to N-YHS, which is generally with office files followed by photographs and other graphic material.
Files: Publicity; Repairs, 1970s-1999, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Publicity files include brochures, newsletters, news articles and clippings, especially regarding the 1978 fire and need for renovations. Files on repairs and renovations include work budgets, work plans, some blueline prints of detail work, contractor/supplier estimates, and some funding requests.
Files: Repairs, 1975-1987, inclusive
Scope and Contents
These files include proposals, estimates, product brochures, billings, etc. from contractors and suppliers for various aspects of the renovation work (e.g., carpets, chairs, etc., including a new organ and stained glass windows)
Files: Funding; Preservation Youth Project, 1969-1993, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes benefit solicitations, donor support, and insurance claims. Also includes permits, including from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Much of this box holds records related to PYP participants; those are restricted pending curatorial review.
Files: Preservation Youth Project, 1968-1986, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes files related to the PYP, primarily for the program and work through the mid-1970s (i.e., pre-1978 fire), though there are some documents into the early 1980s. These files primarily concern budgets and workplan proposals for the grounds and church restoration in connection with funding needs. Several files relate to fundraising efforts by the Friends of St. Mark's for the PYP work.
Files: Publicity; Repairs, 1966-2008, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Publicity files primarily about the Preservation Youth Program; program brochures from the church re-opening and other such celebratory milestone events; files of Landmark Fund budgets, estimates from contractors, and plans for repairs on the church and rectory/Neighborhood Preservation Center (mostly 1990s-2000s); file concerning the graveyard collapse (2006).
Files: Repairs; Flag, 1969-2008, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Half the box holds a flag made for St. Mark's by Anders Holmquist. the other half holds miscellaneous folders, most of which relate to the Landmark Fund (some trustee minutes and meeting materials) and the rectory renovation and later repairs, including 1997 specifications from the architect Edelman Partnership, use assessments, tenancy, and funding. A few folders from 2006 concern negotiations between St. Mark's and Danspace, and the departure of Reverend Julio Torres.
Photographs, 1970s-2003, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes files of images used in brochures; binder of slides re: graveyards (1976), re-building (1976-86), and stained glass windows (1981-86); envelopes of various photographs and graphics, including photos on church interiors and exteriors and of presentation drawings for the renovation; and a folder of estimates and designs for furniture in the rectory building (2003).
Photographs, 1974-2004, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes slides, many explicitly related to the Preservation Youth Program, though many are unidentified (1974-79). Some slides relate to the Landmark Fund's 25th anniversary presentation and to the Neighborhood Preservation Center.
Photographs, 1975-1991, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two carousels of slides re: Preservation Youth Project work.
Photographs, 1970s-2001, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes 4 albums relating to Preservation Youth Project work, the rectory/Neighborhood Preservation Center renovation and opening; and miscellaneous events at St. Mark's, including the ordination of David Garcia.
Photographs, 1967-1990, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes one box of negatives, most identified (1967-82), an album of photographs of church and rectory damage; and images of Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale re: its rebuilding after a fire (1990).
Photographs. 4 albums re: Preservation Youth Project, 1970s, inclusive
Photographs., 1970s-1983, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Binders of photographs re: Preservation Youth Project; Various events; Queen Beatrix of Netherlands Visit, "Africa Trip." Also print-outs of images, likely from the slides in the collection.
Photographs., 1970s-2001, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Album of photographs re: rectory fire & reconstruction, and Neighborhood Preservation Center; miscellaneous contact sheets (1974-81); and a scrapbook of brochures, clippings, etc. (1995-99).
Files: Funding, 1980s-2002, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Most of the files relate to attempts at funding for the rectory renovation. Includes grant proposals, donations to the Landmark Fund by foundations, financial notes on the Rebuilding Fund, etc. Also includes a report from the architect of an existing conditions survey of the church (2002).
Files: Rectory history project, 1990s-2012, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes binders tracing the history of the rectory and its residents, and photographs and other material re: the Neighborhood Preservation Center.
Rectory history project. Oversize, 2012, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Oversize boards with historical images for display.
Files: St. Mark's historical notes, 1990s-2006, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes binder of photocopies of correspondence and other documents re: "The Netherlands and St. Mark's" (1981-82) and a binder of "St. Mark's History" with clippings, articles, historical notes, etc.
Subseries IV.B. St Mark's Historic Landmark Fund, 1967-2019, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The subseries includes records primarily of the St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund, including those related to its formation, governance (e.g., trustee meeting minutes), fundraising activities (e.g., benefits, solicitations, grant proposals), finances (e.g., financial statements, investment account statements, budgets, Form 990s), and management activities in relation to the restoration of the St. Mark's rectory building and its repurposing as the Neighborhood Preservation Center (NPC), including minutes of the NPC's advisory steering committee. Some files relate to fundraising efforts carried out under the name of the Citizen's Committee to Save St. Mark's.
Arrangement
With perhaps only minor changes, the files are arranged as delivered to N-YHS.
Fundraising, 1978-1999, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes solicitation letters, proposals, and budgets, primarily to individuals and corporate donors, with some foundations. Bulk dates are the 1980s.
Fundraising, 1971-2001, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Continues from box 32 above. This box holds primarily foundation fundraising files.
Save St. Mark's budgets, financial statements and reports, 1977-1987, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Also includes samples of letterhead for the various names used over time for solicitations.
Landmark Fund financial matters and governance, 1979-1990, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes incorporation, by-laws, budgets, reports, financials, trustee minutes, tax exemption status, rectory insurance claims, and some fundraising.
Publicity, benefits, trustee minutes and reports, 1979-1999, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Benefits include the Peter Stuyvesant Balls (1981-82) and a joint benefit with the Dutch West India House in Amsterdam. Files also on funding and planning for rectory rebuilding, some Fund trustee minutes, and church rededication program material.
Budgets, fundraising, trustee minutes, 1988-2001, inclusive
Fundraising, Smith Barney accounts (financial), 1989-2010, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes some rectory rebuilding reports.
Financial reports, events, publicity, rectory restoration, 1980s-2002, inclusive
Fund investments, Form 990 reports, financial reports, trustee meetings, 1979-2000, inclusive
Neighborhood Preservation Center fundraising, budget, proposal, steering committee, legal matters, 1974-2000, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Some of the files in this box date to the 1970s-80s and relate to fundraising for the church restoration.
Neighborhood Preservation Center fundraising, 1978-2007, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Primarily NPC/rectory-related, but also some publicity and arts-related agreements with St. Mark's.
Fund by-laws, incorporation, Form 990s; Rectory restoration contracts, supplier/vendor material, publicity, etc., 1979-1999, inclusive
Rectory restoration: Preservation Youth Project personnel, daily report logs, budgets, 1988-1993, inclusive
Fund trustee minutes and materials, financial statements, 1982-2012, inclusive
Fund corporate seal stamps (2); Neighborhood Preservation Center publicity, 1999-2006, inclusive
Fund president/officer files, 1990s-2010s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes various files from Georgia Delano, Stephen Facey, and Nicholas Fish, including trustee minutes, various agreements, concept paper for Neighborhood Preservation Center, advisory/steering committee minutes, etc.
Fund trustee and Neighborhood Preservation Center advisory committee minutes and meeting files, 1999-2008, inclusive
Five Dutch Days event files, 2004-2011, inclusive
Scope and Contents
In addition to the files for the events (a Neighborhood Preservation Center program), there is a corporate seal stamp for the related corporate entity.
Five Dutch Days posters (oversize), 2008, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two laminated posters for events on November 14-15, 2008
Neighborhood Preservation Center event files, 2001-2016, inclusive
Recognitions and awards (oversize), 2004-2014, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes: mayoral proclamation of October 25, 2004 as "St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund Day"; certificate, Annual Village Award from Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, 2004; certificate, award for organizational excellence from The Preservation League of New York State, 2014; and symbolic cheque on foam board presented by the Dutch National Fund for Cultural Heritage for restoration of the church archway/gate/fence, 2009.
Fund financial records, 1990-2005, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes form 990s, payroll taxes, audit reports/financial statements, workers compensation/insurance policies, investment account statements.
Fund financial records, 2006-2018, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Continues from box 51: Includes form 990s, payroll taxes, audit reports/financial statements, workers compensation/insurance policies, investment account statements.
Financial transaction records, 2017, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Bank deposits, reconcilations, bill payments/Paypal, grant cost shares, Neighborhood Preservation Center billings, office administration
Financial transaction records, 2018, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Bank deposits, reconcilations, bill payments/Paypal, grant cost shares, Neighborhood Preservation Center billings, office administration
Financial transaction records, 2019, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Bank deposits, reconcilations, bill payments/Paypal, grant cost shares, Neighborhood Preservation Center billings, office administration. Some Fund trustee minutes and investment account statements also.