OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Pictured is 21 Pearl Street in Forestville, the first home built in the town of Hanover. The home is on the National Historic Register, and stands in the newly approved Center-Pearl Streets Historic District.

FORESTVILLE — Imagine Forestville’s wish to establish a historic district in the heart of the former village of Forestville came true. Earlier this week, the Center and Pearl Streets Historic District received approval from the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. Forestville’s district is one of 19 properties and districts approved to be added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

The Center-Pearl Historic District includes 22 homes stretching from the heart of Center Street to 1 Pearl Street. The homes stand as a testament to the architectural beauty and community spirit that flourished during Forestville’s railroad era.

“The history of the people of New York is imprinted in the architecture and places around us,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “These nominations to the State and National Registers show our commitment to preserving New York’s rich and diverse story and making it accessible for future generations. By recognizing these landmarks and the people behind them, we are strengthening our communities, boosting local pride and ensuring that history remains a living part of New York’s future.”

Earlier this year, the first home in the Town of Hanover – 21 Pearl Street, Forestville – was placed on the National Historic Register. Guests visited the home this past summer for a celebration of the honor, commemorated with a plaque to recognize the site.

Imagine Forestville began working on establishing a historic district several years ago. Extensive research was done, including surveys of the entire former village of Forestville.

During the pandemic, Merv Fry and Nancy Adams Fry dedicated time to provide the necessary information at the state and national levels.

Nancy Adams Fry said Imagine Forestville was excited to discover the deep history of the region tied to the Erie Railroad. Completed in the mid-19th century, the Erie Railroad connected the entire state, from New York City to Dunkirk, including a stop in Forestville. The railroad connected the people of Forestville with larger markets statewide and beyond. That increased accessibility sparked a building boom that gave rise to the elegant homes and thriving businesses along Center and Pearl Streets.

“You could walk down the street in Forestville, get on a train, and end up in New York City,” Adams Fry said. “This completely changed the village. It meant that there suddenly was a way to get good from the farms into the cities. It really established prosperity.”

There are more than 128,000 historic properties throughout the state listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as components of historic districts. The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archaeology and culture of New York State and the nation.

State and National Register listings can assist owners in revitalizing properties, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits.

New York State leads the nation in the use of historic tax credits, with $7.17 billion in total rehabilitation costs from 2018-2024. Since 2009, the historic tax credit program has stimulated over $16.4 billion in project expenditures in New York State, creating significant investment and new jobs. Between 2019-2023, the credits in New York State generated 91,386 jobs and over $1.79 billion in local, state and federal taxes.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Identifying and nominating historic resources for the State and National Registers is a key step in preserving our shared past. As stewards for New York’s history, we recognize the positive impact listings in the registers have on communities throughout the state. From recording local history before it is lost to unlocking access to grants and incentive programs, the State and National Register programs create opportunities to inspire pride of place, encourage investment, and catalyze collaborations.”

More information, with photos of the nominations, is available on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.