Executive Speeches

Remarks of Eugene W. Zeltmann, president & chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority, at the reopening of Lansing Manor, North Blenheim, New York.

June 8, 2002

Good morning and thanks to everyone for joining us on this very exciting day.

Today, we reclaim the beautiful 183-year-old Lansing Manor House. And, with it, an important part of Schoharie County’s history.

When I first saw this house a couple of years ago, I thought, “What a remarkable place!”  But the signs of wear and tear had me worried. So, I made it a personal priority to get it fixed up while keeping all the historical flavor and authenticity. That’s exactly what this ambitious renovation—carried out with Governor Pataki’s strong interest and encouragement—has accomplished.

We also appreciate the support of Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman John Faso, of Chairman Richard Hanson and the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors and of our “hometown” Supervisors—Robert Mann of Blenheim and James Brown of Gilboa.

Credit goes to a number of other people as well. To name just a few: Tom Antenucci and Jim Brunetti of the Power Authority’s project management staff. Jim McCarthy and Steve Ramsey here at Blenheim-Gilboa.

Bernard Taylor, an Englishman who gave so much to restoring this jewel of American Federal architecture. And, of course, Michael Breen and his colleagues at the Schoharie County Historical Society—our partners in operating the Lansing Manor Museum in the house for the past quarter-century.

So now we have new, historically correct roofs for the house and its three main porches. Other structural improvements. Central air-conditioning for the first time—with the ducts as unobtrusive as possible. An upgraded heating system that will prevent damage to the furniture and other artifacts.

Storm windows, insulation and other energy conservation features reflecting the Power Authority’s expertise.  Fresh paint jobs, inside and out. New wallpaper and rugs, matching as closely as we could the taste of families who lived in the house.

We made every effort, in all that we did, to use the materials and skills that were available when the house was built and to blend the new with the old. Fortunately, we were able to draw on a group of skilled tradesmen and artisans—many from Central New York.

Inside, the furnishings—back from storage or from temporary display in a nearby manor building—are much as they were.

We now give back to the Schoharie community a house that is again a worthy centerpiece of the educational and recreational complex the Power Authority developed when it built the Blenheim-Gilboa power project. And certainly a landmark worthy of its listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

I trust that John Lansing, the great New Yorker who built this house for his daughter and son-in-law, would approve of what we’ve done. And that all who owned the house or lived in it over the years would concur.

Bernie Taylor assures me that the house is strong and sturdy and that no additional major work will be needed for another 25 years. We look forward in that time to welcoming visitors from all over the world. But you can be among the very first. The house will be open for tours after the program and we hope you’ll come on in.

Thanks again for being with us today.

TOP