“The present is an egg laid by the past that has the future inside its shell”…Zora Neale Hurston.
That’s how I feel about Glens Falls. Our present is, of course, both our past and future…a continuum. And thanks to visionary leaders and developers, the city is moving forward with wonderful places & spaces to be valued by future generations.
As mentioned in a previous blog, Glens Falls has 161 places on the National and State Registry of Historic Places. Developers like the Hoffman’s, Mike Kaidas and even Bruce Levinsky are all taking it where we want it to be in terms of restoration, renovation, or even partial new construction. Master craftsman Tim Reed tackled 166 Glen Street and, after much painstaking love & labor, has transformed it into the beauty it is today. Now all he needs is the perfect tenant which I’m sure he’ll find.
We all know not to judge a book by its cover, but in the world of city-scapes that saying flyies out the window. Good first impressions are everything. It’s vital to have buildings reflect a high level of standards. Well-loved and cared for buildings stand the test of time and keep or, better yet, increase their value – aside from the irreplacable historic and architectural value.
As you walk around downtown and throughout the city, keep an eye out for the many wonderful detailing on the homes and buildings. Adding to the visual mix is a plethera of styles which seem incongruous but work in total: Art Nouveau, Tudor, Gothic, Renaissance Revival, Victorian, and even Roman Revival.
Should you want a crash course in Glens Falls architecture 101, there’s a nifty little pamphlet called “City of Glens Falls – Self Guided Historical Walking Tour” that offers up snippets of information on some of the more visible buildings downtown. Pick up one up at City Hall or the Chapman Historical Museum and see why the city is such “A Good Egg”.
Bye for now, Alice
PS. Spay or neuter your pets.