Historic Saranac Lake receives Excellence in Historic Preservation Award

SARANAC LAKE | The Trudeau Building Rehabilitation has received a 2026 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of New York State. Since 1984, the League's annual Excellence Awards program has shined a light on the people who make positive change through preservation — including exemplary restoration projects, indispensable publications, individual action, and organizational distinction. This year's Award winners will be recognized at a public reception in NYC on Monday, September 28. Event details can be found here: preservenys.org/excellence. "We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award," said Historic Saranac Lake Executive Director Amy Catania. "This project has been a labor of love, with contributions of time and talent and resources from countless community members. The historic building is once again a beautiful centerpiece of historic downtown Saranac Lake." "The rehabilitation project was an exercise in carefully peeling back nearly 100 years' worth of modern layers to reveal the character of the late Victorian era home and first medical office of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau. The elegant yet simple interiors can now serve as a perfect backdrop for Historic Saranac Lake's regionally significant exhibits and collections, while the restored grandeur of the home's exterior helps to draw the attention of visitors to this expanded museum campus," said Kimberly Konrad Alvarez, Principal Preservation Consultant at Landmark Consulting, LLC. "Landmark Consulting has been honored to have had a hand in this grand transformation, and its role in strengthening this historic significance and character of the Village of Saranac Lake." Erin Tobin, Executive Director of Adirondack Architectural Heritage, said, "The historic Trudeau building has been brought back to life with care and attention to history and architectural detail. Historic Saranac Lake's rehabilitation has brought new life to this central corner of downtown Saranac Lake and their work contributes to telling a more complete history of our region." 118 Main St. was the home and medical office of Dr. E. L. Trudeau, internationally renowned physician and scientist. Built in 1894, the building helps tell the story of Saranac Lake as a global center of tuberculosis research and treatment. Historic Saranac Lake spent five years carefully bringing the building back to life as it existed during Dr. Trudeau's lifetime, before his death in 1915. The building is now repurposed as a museum, serving to preserve and present the history and architecture of the region. Benefiting the culture and economy of the Saranac Lake region, the new museum serves as a model for other rural communities of revitalization through historic preservation. Under the leadership of Kim and Jack Alvarez of Landmark Consulting, the rehabilitation was meticulously planned and carried out to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The history of the building was carefully researched and documented with historic photos and other written materials. Work included extensive, careful removals to reestablish the original layout of the home, removal of vinyl siding and installation of new cedar clapboards, installation of wood exterior storm windows, masonry repairs, new HVAC and electrical systems, the addition of insulation, the rebuilding of the front portico, restoration of Trudeau's cure porch, and installation of a handicap lift to make all levels of the building accessible for all visitors and staff. Project team included: Architect Jack Alvarez and historic preservation consultant Kim Alvarez of Landmark Consulting; Construction Manager Bishop Beaudry Construction; site/civil and structural engineering by North Woods Engineering; Mechanical Engineers Quantum Engineering; and Historic Preservation Tax Credit consultant Wishneff and Associates. This project was funded in part by: More than 10 government grants totaling over $2 million, including a Downtown Revitalization grant, a NY Main Street grant, a grant from the NY State Council on the Arts, and an Environmental Protection Fund grant. A Northeast Heritage Economy Program grant from the Preservation League funded wood storm windows and an Adirondack Rural Revitalization Program grant through Adirondack Architectural Heritage supported the reconstruction of the portico. Over $2 million was raised in private support. Historic Preservation Tax Credits brought in $1.4 million in financing. "Having worked on hundreds of Historic Tax Credit projects for nearly 20 years now, the Trudeau Building has been among the most rewarding revitalizations I've had the opportunity to help. Amy is on a short list of the savviest clients I've worked with, and without her abilities and Landmark Consulting's expertise, this project would not have been the success it now is," said Adam Markwood, Managing Director at Brian Wishneff & Associates. "Other museums, theaters, nonprofits and for-profits alike should look to HSL's example of how to leverage Historic Tax Credits as part of a funding package to get ambitious capital projects implemented." "This year's Excellence Award winners truly represent what historic preservation is today," said Preservation League President Jay DiLorenzo. "Our winners span the state from the urban centers of Buffalo and New York City to the rural communities of the Adirondacks. There are adaptive reuse projects, groups that have demonstrated long term stewardship and grassroots advocacy, and examples of truly exceptional craftsmanship. The League is honored to recognize their remarkable achievements and the contribution each has made to their communities and the state at large."

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Historic Saranac Lake receives Excellence in Historic Preservation Award

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