SENECA FALLS, NY, 07/07/26 — The National Women’s Hall of Fame received a 2026 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS in recognition of the restoration and adaptive reuse of the historic Seneca Knitting Mill, the Hall’s permanent home in Seneca Falls. Since 1984, the League's annual Excellence Awards program has shined a light on the people who make positive change through preservation — including exemplary restoration projects, indispensable publications, individual action, and organizational distinction. This year’s Award winners will be recognized at a public reception in NYC on Monday, September 28. Event details can be found here: preservenys.org/excellence

"This award reflects years of thoughtful planning, partnership, and investment in preserving one of New York's most significant historic sites," said Dr. Kristen Oehlrich, CEO of the National Women's Hall of Fame. "The restoration of the Seneca Knitting Mill has created more than a permanent home for the Hall. It has transformed a nationally significant landmark into a place where visitors from around the world can engage with the stories of extraordinary American women while experiencing the history of Seneca Falls, where the women's rights movement began."

Founded in 1969 in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the American women’s rights movement, the National Women’s Hall of Fame celebrates the achievements of American women whose contributions have shaped history. Seneca Falls is where Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and 300 others gathered at the first American women’s rights convention in 1848 and adopted the Declaration of Sentiments, launching the organized movement for women’s rights in the United States.

The three-and-a-half story historic 1844 Seneca Knitting Mill, located on a branch of the Erie Canal system, has been adapted to become a permanent home for the National Women's Hall of Fame, creating a state-of-the art facility and vibrant educational venue. The building originally housed the Seneca Knitting Mill, which contributed to the development and history of the Village of Seneca Falls. The original trustees and owners of the Mill, Jacob Chamberlain and Charles Hoskins, signed the 1848 Declaration of Sentiments, and were also prominent local abolitionists who famously refused to process cotton picked by enslaved people.

Since acquiring the property in 2007, the Hall has led a long-term effort to preserve, rehabilitate, and reactivate the long-vacant mill. Extensive stabilization and restoration transformed the structure into a nationally recognized cultural destination that welcomes national and international visitors, scholars, tourists, and the community to discover, and be inspired by, the rich heritage centered around the stories of great American women throughout history. Completed in phases over nearly two decades, the rehabilitation balanced historic preservation with the creation of modern museum, exhibition, educational, and event spaces. The project preserved significant architectural features while ensuring the building could continue serving the public for generations to come.

“The National Women's Hall of Fame exemplifies the highest standards of historic preservation and adaptive reuse and reflects a phased implementation of a masterplan, spanning over ten years of committed and thoughtful work,” said Wayne Goodman, Executive Director of the Landmark Society of Western NY. “This project is an outstanding example of how preservation can serve as a catalyst for community revitalization, as well as historical interpretation.”

The project design/consulting team included:

CJS Architects – Architecture and Project Coordination (Craig Jensen AIA, Jon Genrich RA, Heather Landis, Karsten Solberg, Mariam Yakub, Blynn Nelson)

Jensen/BRV Engineering – Structural Engineering

Turner Engineering – MEP/FP Engineering

JFK&M Consulting Group – MEP/FP Engineering

Fisher Associates – Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture

Clinton Brown Company – Historic Consultant

Wishneff & Associates – Historic Tax Credit Consultant

Gilbane Building Company – Construction Manager

“This year’s Excellence Award winners truly represent what historic preservation is today,” said Preservation League President Jay DiLorenzo. “Our winners span the state from the urban centers of Buffalo and New York City to the rural communities of the Adirondacks. There are adaptive reuse projects, groups that have demonstrated long term stewardship and grassroots advocacy, and examples of truly exceptional craftsmanship. The League is honored to recognize their remarkable achievements and the contribution each has made to their communities and the state at large.”

2026 Awardees: The Van Ostrande-Radliff House, Albany, Albany County; American Lofts at Silo City, Buffalo, Erie County; Historic Saranac Lake Trudeau Building Rehabilitation, Saranac Lake, Franklin County; Eagle Island Camp, Franklin County; Friends of Abolitionist Place, Brooklyn Kings County; Alden Witham, Sharon Springs, Montgomery County; The Waldorf Astoria New York, Manhattan, New York County; Elmer Gardens, Schenectady, Schenectady County; National Women’s Hall of Fame, Seneca Falls, Seneca County; TRANSART & Cultural Service, Kingston, Ulster County

Recipients of the Excellence Award represent the very best of what the League stands for and supports in historic preservation. They exemplify best practices in the field and demonstrate how preservation is integral to building stronger neighborhoods, boosting local economies, tackling the affordable housing crisis, mitigating climate change, opening our eyes to overlooked history, and saving the places that are special to all of us. The Excellence Awards celebrate those who work so hard to protect that shared heritage.

About the Preservation League of New York State Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League of NYS has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The League empowers all New Yorkers to use historic preservation to enrich their communities, protect their heritage, and build a sustainable future. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state. Connect with us at preservenys.org, youtube.com/c/PreservationLeague and instagram.com/preservenys