Brentwood Property To Be Considered For Historic Registry

BRENTWOOD, NY - A 120-year-old Brentwood property might be added to the National Registers of Historic Places.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that the New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended adding 20 properties, resources and districts to the national registry including Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse.

The Catholic religious order of nuns acquired the former hotel property, currently located 1725 Brentwood Road, in 1896.

The property was then developed into a convent, chapel, schools and a college.

It is also associated with Mother Mary Louis (Catherine Crummey, 1848-1932), General Superior of the Congregation of the Sister of St. Joseph for forty years, an exceptional female leader of her generation.

She founded over 32 schools, two colleges, two hospitals, and guided the development of the 211-acre motherhouse property.

Other nominees include a covert FBI radio transmission station, a landmark in aviation history now used as a community college, and a facility used in the transmission of electricity from Niagara Falls to Buffalo in the early 1900s.

"This administration is committed to helping communities preserve the storied history of this great state," Cuomo said. "By designating these landmarks, New York is encouraging economic and community development, while supporting local businesses and preserving the rich character of the Empire State."

Properties on the list will be provided assistance to the property owners to revitalizing buildings and make them eligible for preservation programs and services.

"Listing on the State and National Historic Registers is an important step in helping to preserve and improve these assets," Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said. "Protecting these distinctive places can help bolster economic growth and quality of life across New York State."

Photos: US Department of the Interior National Park Service