Walking Tour to Highlight History and Architecture of Toddsville

Otsego 2000’s historic preservation walking tour series continues on Sunday, August 16 at 3 pm with “Toddsville Architectural Refinements.” The tour will be led by Dr. Cindy Falk, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at SUNY Oneonta and Professor of Material Culture at the University’s Cooperstown Graduate Program.

“Visiting Toddsville gives us a chance to tour an incredibly historic hamlet in Otsego County that has yet to be officially recognized on the State and National Registers of Historic Places,” said Dr. Falk. “It reminds us that history is all around us and does not rely on plaques or certifications.” Dr. Falk served as co-editor of Buildings & Landscapes: The Journal of the Vernacular Architecture Forum for five years and is the author of Barns of New York: Rural Architecture of the Empire State.

“We are so fortunate to have someone in our community like Cindy Falk, with such a depth of knowledge of vernacular architectural history, styles, and materials throughout Otsego County,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000. “Cindy’s tours are a summer highlight for many, and we are excited to venture into areas that are not designated historic districts but are historic in their own right.”

In addition to organizing the historic preservation series, Otsego 2000 offers free technical assistance for homeowners who want to apply for the Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit. New York State offers eligible owners of historic homes a 20% income tax credit for repairs and rehabilitations. Call 607/547-8881 to set up an appointment.

The walking tour will begin in the parking lot of Community Bible Chapel at 577 Greenough Road in Cooperstown. The cost for the tour is $10 per person. Register in advance at otsego2000.org or by calling 607/547-8881. The Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Series will continue with walking tours in Milford on September 13 and in Cooperstown on November 15, as part of Glimmerglass Film Days.