Staff Report / June 27, 2025
In a rare and comprehensive move, the National Park Service officially expanded the Hammondsport Historic District on December 13, 2024, encompassing nearly the entire village—a remarkable recognition of its rich architectural and cultural heritage.
The modified district now stretches from Wheeler Avenue down to Davis Avenue, and from Water Street to Pulteney Street, bringing virtually every street and contributing structure within the nomination’s fold. This village‑wide inclusion is highly unusual: most historic districts focus on one or two blocks, but Hammondsport’s listing acknowledges its cohesive, historically significant fabric, with nearly 450 buildings spanning from the early 19th century through 1975.
This village-wide historic district carries a host of advantages:
- Tax incentives: Homeowners and business owners within the district can qualify for state and federal historic preservation tax credits and grant programs.
- Revitalization opportunities: The designation encourages sensitive restoration and adaptive reuse of historic structures, boosting property values and preserving the village’s classical charm.
- Tourism potential: With its preserved architecture, wine-tasting venues, the Curtiss Museum, and annual events like “Wings & Wheels,” Hammondsport is poised for enhanced heritage tourism.
With a compact footprint of just 0.37 square miles and under 600 residents as of 2020 , Hammondsport’s sweeping historic district captures the essence of its past—from the earliest steamboat commerce and lake trade in the 1800s to its pioneering role in aviation and viticulture.
