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Calendar of Events

Events in April 2025

  • Preservation School – Restoration of the Flatiron Building

    Preservation School – Restoration of the Flatiron Building

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    Apr 9, 2025

    April 9, 2025
    12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
    Via Zoom

    Join Alexei Tajzler from HLZAE as he describes the meticulous façade restoration of the Flatiron Building. The project involved the installation of full-height pipe scaffolding and suspended scaffolding on all facades. This enabled HLZAE’s team of 15 experts—spanning architectural, structural, and special inspection divisions—to conduct comprehensive, up-close inspections of the entire façade.

    Participants will learn about how HLZAE overcame the challenge to restore such an iconic building and maintain the historical integrity of the building, particularly its terracotta ornamentation. The project called for the replacement of nearly 3,200 terracotta units, repointing 25,000 linear feet of masonry joints, and 2,000 linear feet of crack repair. This process required the hand-pressing, glazing, and kiln firing of terracotta units, a complex and time-consuming task. Additionally, HLZAE conducted a thorough inspection of the building’s 6-foot-tall, 467-foot-wide cornice, consisting of over 2,500 terracotta stones.

    General Admission $5 / AIA Credit $25

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  • Six to Celebrate – Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

    Six to Celebrate – Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour

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    Apr 12, 2025

    Saturday, April 12, 2025
    11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

    Join the Historic Districts Council (HDC) and Garifuna Coalition USA for a poignant and insightful walking tour commemorating the Happy Land Social Club fire.

    This 90-minute, half-mile tour delves into the historical and cultural significance of West Farms, highlighting the devastating 1990 Happy Land Social Club fire – the deadliest in New York City since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 – and its profound impact on the Garifuna community.

    Led by Licensed Bilingual Spanish/English tour guide José Francisco Avila (The Garifuna Experience in NYC and HDC Board Adviser), the tour will provide historical context, share compelling stories, and illuminate the Garifuna community’s contributions and experiences in this neighborhood. Discover significant locations that have shaped the history of the Garifuna community in New York City.

    Friend of HDC / Senior $15; General Admission $20

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  • Preservation School- The Renovation of the Renwick Lighthouse

    Preservation School- The Renovation of the Renwick Lighthouse

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    Apr 23, 2025

    Wednesday, April 23, 2025
    6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    Via Zoom

    The historic lighthouse on the northern tip of Roosevelt Island was designed by James Renwick, Jr. and built in 1872. Over the years the lighthouse was significantly modified and was then decommissioned in 1940. Join architect Tom Fenniman, AIA, as he walks through the process of analyzing this unique historic structure and the many steps required to bring the project to completion. Tom’s presentation will discuss the building’s history, the state of disrepair found in 2011 when he first surveyed the building, and the various decisions made in recreating the lantern that both pays homage to the original Renwick design while utilizing modern materials and methods to reduce future maintenance.

    Completed in 2022 the renovation Team included the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and ICC Commonwealth Contractors. The project was recognized with a Lucy G. Moses Award from the NY Landmarks Conservancy and Friends of the Upper East Side Preservation Award for excellence in historic preservation in 2023.

    General Admission $5 / AIA Credit $25

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  • Preservation School – Reproducing Historic Block Printed Wallpapers

    Preservation School – Reproducing Historic Block Printed Wallpapers

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    Apr 29, 2025

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025
    12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    Via Zoom

    In this class, participants will learn about the process of creating historically accurate block printed wallpapers for restoration projects.  Led by Michele Farwell, a printer for 25 years at Adelphi Paper Hangings in Sharon Springs, NY, the class will touch on the tradition and techniques of block printed wallpapers in the 18-20th centuries and provide an explanation of the work that Adelphi does to recreate historic designs. Adelphi wallpapers are hand-printed using the same methods and materials employed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Michele will also cover the steps involved – from original document to finished product - when a museum, institution or historic home engages with the company for a custom project. 

    General Admission $5 / AIA Credit $25

     

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