SCHUMER: BLAUVELT-CROPSEY FARM SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES; SENATOR URGES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO EXPEDITE APPROVAL PROCESS SO THAT VITAL FEDERAL HISTORIC TAX CREDITS CAN BE USED TO PRESERVE THIS HISTORIC SYMBOL OF ROCKLAND’S HERITAGE
Senator Says Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm Is A Regional Landmark, And Represents An Often Forgotten Part Of Rockland’s Agricultural History
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the National Park Service (NPS) to immediately add the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm, one of Rockland County’s last remaining agricultural properties, to the National Register of Historic Places. Schumer said this historic designation is the key to unlocking vital federal Historic Tax Credits to protect one of the last remaining remnants of Rockland’s proud agricultural past.
“Adding the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm to the National Register of Historic Places would be a tremendous step forward to appropriately honor the Rockland’s often-forgotten rural roots – it preserves our past and also helps attract tourists,” said Senator Schumer. “This designation would be a win-win for Rockland County while also protecting our agricultural industry. That’s why I am urging the feds to quickly approve this application to add this Rockland County treasure to the register, so it can be preserved for future generations to come.”
“Thank you to Senator Schumer for recognizing Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm as a historic symbol for both the Town of Clarkstown and Rockland County. Now that this historic jewel has earned a spot on the New York State Register of Historic Places, it seems only fitting that we work together to get it officially recognized on a national level. We are proud to have Senator Schumer’s support in our effort to advance the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm onto the National Register of Historic Places,” said Supervisor George Hoehmann.
This past week, the New York State Board of Historic Preservation approved the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm to be added to the New York State Register of Historic Places. According to Clarkstown, the town also submitted an application to the National Parks Service to add the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm to the National Register of Historic Places.
A copy of Schumer’s letter is below:
Dear Mr. Loether,
I am pleased to write today in support of placing the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm, located in Clarkstown, New York on the National Register of Historic Places through the National Park Service (NPS). This prestigious designation would not only help to protect the historical integrity of this site and all of its components, but most importantly, would help draw much deserved attention to this historically significant property for generations to come.
As you may know, the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm in Clarkstown, New York was purchased in 1893 by the Cropsey family, when Rockland County was home to over 500 farms. The Cropsey family then worked for years to make it the regional landmark it became towards the end of the 20th century. As Rockland County’s development began to come to fruition, the Cropsey family chose to sell the farm and retire in 1999. In 2006, the Town of Clarkstown purchased the 24 acres of Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm through Rockland County’s Open Space Program. Rockland Farm Alliance then signed a commitment to keep the land as a functioning farm, which later became the Cropsey Community Farm.
The Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm contains multiple structures that are unique and present high historical value. The Blauvelt-Cropsey house, which was built between the late 1700s and early 1800s, still has original Federal-style interior finishing that is over 200 years old, while also displaying attributes from later periods. Additionally, the Blauvelt-Cropsey Barn has features that illustrate New World Dutch Building practices, which were prevalent hundreds of years ago, but are now very rare in Rockland County and must be preserved for generations to come. Finally, the continued agricultural use of the 24 acre Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm is vital for a community that’s roots were once based in agriculture, but has now become more developed over the years.
Again, I urge you to place the Blauvelt-Cropsey Farm on the National Register of Historic Places in order to maintain the historical integrity of this important site, while also ensuring that the farm remains a functioning part of the community for generations to come. I look forward to working with you on this important issue.
###
