Ward Lumber makes history — again | Sun Community News JAY | When asked to nominate an honoree for New York State's first registry of historic businesses, Sen. Dan Stec immediately thought of Ward Lumber in Jay, partly due to its storied past, but also for the history it made just recently.

JAY | When asked to nominate an honoree for New York State's first registry of historic businesses, Sen. Dan Stec immediately thought of Ward Lumber in Jay, partly due to its storied past, but also for the history it made just recently. Ward Lumber, a fourth-generation company that's tightly intertwined in the community it serves, became an innovator in Adirondack commerce in 2020 when it negotiated the transfer of the business from family to employee ownership. Stec and other well-wishers gathered at the lumberyard Thursday May 12 to celebrate its inclusion in the registry. Stec said Ward has become a model for other Adirondack businesses whose owners are wanting to retire or relinquish some duties — but don't want to see their legacy shuttered or sold to a larger enterprise with no community connections. "The next generation doesn't always want to follow the family business, but the Ward family clearly wanted to see their business continue," Stec said. "Ward Lumber is going to survive and will be here for the community and its employees for many years to come." But Ward Lumber's 132-year past isn't too shabby, either. Established by Harvey Ward in 1890, the company originally used water power to saw logs into the boards that would build the community's homes, barns and businesses. Located on a back country road beneath the imposing profile of Jay Mountain, the mill, a sister company of Ward Lumber still hums, while across street Ward's sells construction materials, feed and supplies to residents who, without it, would have to drive for miles. Instead, it's the dignitaries who have been driving to Ward Lumber to pay tribute to its ground-breaking accomplishments. "There have been a lot (of ceremonies) over the past year and a half," said Ward's employee-owner C.J. Young. "It reinforces everything we've been talking about as we transitioned to a new business model." The new state registry "highlights businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their communities' history. At a time when many businesses face new and unique challenges, this registry allows us to recognize and honor historic businesses, while providing educational and promotional assistance to ensure their continued viability and success," according to the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The inaugural registry consists of 100 businesses across New York that were nominated by their state representatives. Dale Fredenburg was an employee representative on the steering committee that established the cooperative. He said his work ethic matched those of his fellow employees and the company itself, and made him optimistic about the future. "I feel pride, and I think from what I've witnessed in my fellow employees and owners, they feel it too," he said.

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Ward Lumber makes history — again

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