The Otsego County Courthouse was part of a Historic Walking Tour led by Dr. Cynthia Falk as part of Glimmerglass Film Days
The Otsego region is part of the traditional homelands of the Haudenosaunee people. Known today by many as the home of baseball, Cooperstown and the Otsego Lake region were once the western frontier of the fledgling United States, and the home of the great American novelist, James Fenimore Cooper. The landscapes, hamlets, and villages Cooper celebrated in his writings are largely unchanged since the early 19th century, and contribute substantially to the unique character of the region. Cooper’s words, like “glimmerglass,” his name for Otsego Lake, still resonate today, with Otsego 2000’s film festival, Glimmerglass Film Days, as well as the renowned Glimmerglass Festival.
Otsego 2000’s Historic Preservation program focuses on protecting and preserving the historic homes, barns, commercial buildings, hamlets, and land use patterns while encouraging preservation-minded planning and development to build on these considerable assets.
Otsego 2000 provides free advice and technical assistance to home owners and business owners in Otsego County Historic Districts wanting to apply for New York State Tax Credits. We also offer support to people who are looking to apply for the NYS Historic Barn Rehabilitation Tax Credit (barns need to be built prior to 1946, but do not need to be in a Historic District).
To highlight excellent work being done in Otsego County and Schoharie County, Otsego 2000 confers Historic Preservation Awards. We also offer workshops and tours on the architectural and cultural history of the region and historic preservation best practices. Recent tours highlighted architecture and history in Sharon Springs, Cherry Valley, Richfield Springs, Cooperstown, and Morris.
Otsego County Historic Districts
The Major’s Inn, Gilbertsville, NY
Being listed on the National Historic Register can bring a range of opportunities to a community.
Once on the Register, municipalities may be eligible for a range of government grants.
Homeowners and commercial property owners with properties listed on the National Register or within an historic district may be eligible for New York State historic preservation tax credits to assist in the rehabilitation, maintenance and preservation of their historic properties.
Being listed on the National Register also means that towns have certain protections, without limiting development and activities consistent with the town zoning or comprehensive plan.
Otsego 2000 has worked with municipalities and citizens’ groups across the county to establish several National Historic Register districts, including the Lindesay Patent (Cherry Valley) and the Glimmerglass Historic District. Indeed, Otsego County arguably has the most acres designated as historic districts of any New York county, with over 36,000 acres either designated as historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places or deemed eligible to be listed. The links below provide maps of the districts in Otsego County, along with summaries of the districts’ histories. Take some time to explore the hamlets and landscapes of Otsego County.
Cherry Valley Historic District
Fly Creek Historic District
Village of Gilbertsville Historic District
Glimmerglass Historic District
Hartwick Hamlet Historic District
Lindesay Patent Historic District
Middlefield Hamlet Historic District
Village of Morris Historic District
Oneonta Downtown Historic District
Walnut Street Historic District, Oneonta
Richfield Springs Historic Districts
Roseboom Hamlet Historic District
South Worcester Historic District
Unadilla Historic District
Worcester Historic District
Want to know how to sponsor an historic district?
The New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) created a step-by-step guide to help you through the process. You will work with a National Register representative as your primary contact.
Awards
Since 1999, Otsego 2000 has conferred Historic Preservation Awards for excellent projects in Otsego and Schoharie counties. These awards recognize property owners, individuals, and craftspeople who have committed themselves to preserving our regional historic sites, landscapes, and communities for future use and enjoyment. An independent jury of preservation experts reviews nominations for their commitment to preserving our architectural heritage and cultural landscapes. Contact us for more information or to suggest someone be considered for the award.