Critical painting projects are in process at three partner Historic House Trust sites to care for New York City’s cultural treasures. This important effort is funded by Paint to Preserve founding supporter Benjamin Moore, and will be completed thanks to the partnership of the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks).

The Historic House Trust of New York City is thrilled to announce the launch of its Paint to Preserve Program, a momentous new initiative designed to complete critical painting projects at its 23 partner historic sites citywide. Painting is a critical preservation tool that prevents the exterior deterioration of historic wood structures. This program will proactively maintain historic house exteriors, preserving these sites and making them stronger and more sustainable pillars of their communities for years to come. 

With initial funding from Benjamin Moore and support from NYC Parks, the first three sites to benefit from this program are the Alice Austen House on Staten Island, the Hendrick I. Lott House in Brooklyn, and Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island. For these houses, some of which are over 325 years old, wood repairs will accompany this painting effort. Projects include the restoration of wood features such as trim, siding, walls, porch floors, shutters, roofs, and decorative details. 

“For much of our organization’s history, Benjamin Moore has been an invaluable supporter of our work. Their longstanding assistance has been instrumental in completing essential maintenance projects, as well as increasing the ability of our partner house museums to engage their communities” said Historic House Trust Executive Director Meredith Horsford. “We are so grateful to Benjamin Moore for believing in our work and helping envision a brighter world for New York City’s historic sites.”

“We believe in the transformative power of paint to help protect and preserve historic structures and are proud to support the Historic House Trust on this effort,” said Rachel Willard-Chang, senior manager, DE&I and social impact at Benjamin Moore. “Benjamin Moore remains committed to uplifting the communities we serve and together, we seek to restore and beautify spaces, while helping to create safer, more accessible and inclusive environments.”

About Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore, a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883 and remains one of the world’s leading paint, color and coatings brands. A manufacturer of premium quality residential and commercial coatings, Benjamin Moore maintains a relentless commitment to innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices. The portfolio spans the brand’s flagship paint lines including Aura®, Regal® Select, Ben®, Ultra Spec®, Advance®, Scuff-X®, Insl-X® and more. Benjamin Moore is renowned for its more than 3,500 unmatchable colors, and its design tools and expertise for consumers and professionals alike. Benjamin Moore products are available exclusively from more than 8,500 locally owned and operated paint, decorating and hardware retailers throughout the United States, Canada and another 74 countries globally. 

About the Alice Austen House
Alice Austen (1886 - 1952) was one of America’s earliest and most prolific female photographers. In 1975, the City purchased the historic cottage where she had lived, named Clear Comfort, and restored it and the grounds to their 19th-century appearance. Today, it features exhibits of Alice’s work, contemporary photography and period rooms that have been recreated based on Alice’s photographs. Alice Austen’s life and relationships with other women including her partner of 30 years, Gertrude Tate, are crucial to understanding her work. The museum is a nationally designated site of LGBTQ history.

About the Hendrick I. Lott House
Still standing in its original location on its original site, the Hendrick I. Lott House is a rare surviving Dutch-American house in New York City. In 1719, Colonel Johannes Lott purchased a farm in the rural town of Flatlands. Like most of the large farms in southern Brooklyn, the Lott family relied on enslaved labor to operate their homestead. Archaeologists have found artifacts that they believe belonged to enslaved Africans living on the farm, making this site important to the story of Black history, as well as agricultural development in America.

About Historic Richmond Town
The Town of Richmond, established in the 1690s, became Staten Island’s county seat in 1728. After Staten Island was incorporated into the City of New York in 1898, its government offices were moved to the town of St. George, and Richmond gradually became a quiet residential area. During the 1930s, the Staten Island Historical Society began the transformation of Richmond Town into a living history village. Today, the site includes historic buildings that exemplify a variety of architectural styles and create a physical journey through time. During the spring and summer months, the village comes alive with the daily trades and customs of old Richmond Town as period re-enactors fill its farmhouses, trade shops, and the county courthouse.

About the Historic House Trust of New York City
The Historic House Trust of New York City (HHT) partners with the New York City of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) to advocate for, promote, and provide expertise to preserve 23 publicly-owned historic house museums located across all five boroughs of New York City. HHT partners with independent non-profit organizations that operate the historic sites as museums, as well as NYC Parks and other City agencies, to assist in preservation and advocacy efforts. HHT manages restoration projects at its partner sites, coordinates daily maintenance needs, advises on best practices in historic preservation, and works to address the evolving needs of its partners and stakeholders.

Press Contact:
Giulietta Fiore
giulietta.fiore@historichousetrust.org
718-760-6598