A partnership between the Friends of Historic Kingston, Kingston Land Trust and City of Kingston.
Our Mission:
The Kingston Bluestone Committee aims to preserve and foster public appreciation for the historic bluestone sidewalks and other historic bluestone fabric of Kingston, New York through study, education, legislation, the creation of preservation guidelines, and all other necessary means.
Our Vision:
A distinct and defining characteristic of the historic city of Kingston, New York is its network of public and private sidewalks, walls, curbstones and other features composed of a remarkable form of sandstone, known as “bluestone,” originally brought to the city in the mid- and late-19th century from nearby quarries. Valuable to the city and region both in itself for its aesthetic and utilitarian qualities and as the reminder of a major mining and finishing industry, historic bluestone, originally transported through and shipped from Kingston, survives in many neighborhoods across America.
As the city most associated with this historic building material and where historic bluestone survives in daily use over a significant area, and as a city with a longstanding and present-day investment in its historic appearance, the collective wisdom of Kingston’s residents and its government will be to institute policies and procedures that will preserve this heritage, both for the city’s own enjoyment and for those who visit.
Our Goals:
1. To create an inventory of the city of Kingston’s bluestone sidewalks and other bluestone structures and features through methods that include GPS mapping in partnership with citizen and student volunteers, local government and advocacy groups.
2. Help to foster the city’s existing “bluestone bank”.
3. To improve existing legislative and administrative protection for bluestone by:
* Reviewing the city code and advocating necessary changes that would expand and strengthen the protection of historic bluestone throughout the city.
* Identifying an agency that could be the adminstrator of the code and guidelines for any city project that involves bluestone.
4. Devise an approach that will encourage homeowners to restore their bluestone sidewalks, structues and features through education and financial incentives.
Enjoy this song written about Kingston’s Bluestone by Mark Foley, founder of Volunteer Music
