Letter From The CHAIR

November 2025

Thursday October 9th marked our 2025 “Lunch at a Landmark” featuring Craig Dykers, Founding partner of Snøhetta with introduction by Ted Roosevelt V.  Craig spoke of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library project in Billings County, North Dakota.  Craig spoke of the importance of the “land” in the meaning of landmarks and the significance of understanding the environment in its relationship to architecture.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Law.  In 1965, the New York City Landmarks Law was enacted to protect historic landmarks and neighborhoods from precipitate decisions to destroy or fundamentally alter their character. The law also established the creation of a permanent New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Commission is authorized to designate a building to be a “landmark” on a particular “landmark site,” or to designate an area as a “historic district.” The legal definition of a landmark stipulates that the building must be at least 30 years old, and have either historical or architectural merit, as determined by the Commission.

On Thursday November 13th in the Belmont section of the Bronx, an individual landmark plaque was dedicated at the Firehouse Engine Company 88 / Ladder 38, built in 1907 and designed in the Prairie Style featuring Roman brick and a deep-set limestone corbeled window enframement.  The plaque dedication ceremony included a welcome with bagpipes from the FDNY Pipes and Drums and convocation from the NYC Fire Department Chaplain.

We look forward to 2026 when we will hold a Spring Forum – date, location and speakers to be announced at the beginning of the year.

Have a safe and healthy holiday season and New Year.

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Landmarks Preservation Foundation.

Tom Krizmanic, AIA

Board Chair, NYLPF