Wilbur Local (2024), State, and National Register Historic District (2026)

In 2021, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) awarded the City a Certified Local Government Grant (CLG) to survey the historic and cultural resources in Wilbur and Ponckhockie. The City engaged the firm, Archaeology & Historic Resource Services, LLC (AHRS), to study both neighborhoods and produce a report for residents, the City, and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) by the fall of 2023. In December 2023, SHPO's determination of eligibility (DOE) an area within lower Wilbur as eligible for Local, State, and National Historic District recognition. SHPO’s determination identified Wilbur:

“… as a relatively intact example of a small port community developed in the second half of the nineteenth century around the local bluestone industry. The proposed district’s-built resources reflect the Federal, Italianate, and Gothic Revival styles and include residences, commercial buildings, a firehouse, and a church. The preliminary period of significance for the district extends from 1836 to 1890, reflecting the period during which the community as it exists today was developed and its distinctive buildings constructed.”

On September 11, 2024, the Kingston Common Council voted unanimously to establish the Wilbur Local Landmark District (Common Council Resolution 147 of 2024). Support from Wilbur residents was instrumental in this landmark designation which ensures that the area’s special history and architectural resources is preserved in perpetuity pursuant to ss405.26.L (HLPC) of the Form Based Zoning Code. At the end of September 2024, NNYS OPRHP awarded Kingston a $15,000 CLG grant to hire another historic preservation consultant to prepare the National & State Register Nomination paperwork for Wilbur. Once listed on both Registers, property owners seeking to rehab their structures may take advantage of the following Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Programs:

• For Income Producing Properties:The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit Incentives program provides a 20% federal tax credit to property owners who undertake a substantial rehabilitation of a historic income-producing property. For projects approved for the federal credit, the property owner may be eligible for an additional 20-30% New York State credit. There is one application for both programs.The New York SHPO is the first point of contact and primary coordinator to gain approvals for both programs for projects based in New York State. Partners include the National Park Service, the Internal Revenue Service, and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
  • Commercial (Income-Producing) Historic Preservation Tax Credit Programs
• For Owner-Occupied Historic residences: The New York SHPO administers the application process for the approval of the use of the New York State Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. This partnership program with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance offers a 20% New York State tax credit for the rehabilitation of owner-occupied historic properties.
  • New York State Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program
• For Historic Barns: The New York SHPO administers the application process for the approval of the use of the New York State Historic Barn Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. This partnership program with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance offers a 25% New York State tax credit for the rehabilitation of barns constructed prior to 1946.
  • New York State Historic Barn Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program

National & State Historic Districts formally celebrate an area’s significant historical contributions to the community, state, and nation, while offering protection and financial assistance to property owners to maintain their older homes. Wilbur residents participated in this project to preserve the neighborhood’s character and to gain access to local, federal, and state rehabilitation tax programs.

On November 12, 2025, the City awarded Gregory Dietrich Preservation (36CRF61 qualified) the contract to research and prepare the State & National District Nomination paperwork. Work is underway. An informational meeting for the Wilbur State & National Historic District Nomination is set for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, between 5:30-7:30pm, at 23 Fitch Street - for more information please see the attached flyer: https://engagekingston.com/27697/widgets/94955/documents/78109 On June 4th, 2026, the New York State Review Board endorsed the Wilbur District's Nomination, which resulted in the district being listed on the State Register of Historic Places on July 23, 2026. National Park Service officially listed the Wilbur Historic District on the National Registry of Historic Places on September 2, 2026.

Historic Property owners are also eligible for the city’s 10-Year Graduated Rehabilitation Tax Abatement Program (Chapter 360, Article 5).

NOTE: If you are a property owner with questions and/or seeking these benefits, please reach out to the Historic Preservation Administrator (edickerman@kingston-ny.gov; 845-334-3931) to learn how to support the project.

Disclaimer and Acknowledgement: “This material was produced with assistance from the Certified Local Government Grant Program, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.”