Projects
The Persistence Foundation’s Aricultural Heritage Program focuses on restoration, renovation, documentation and recycling of historic buildings. It seeks to stimulate interest in America’s agricultural heritage and emphasize the importance of saving America’s threatened agricultural resources.
The Nipmoose Farm was purchased by The Persistence Foundation (TPF) as part of its Agricultural Heritage Program. It is a farmstead located in Buskirk, NY which includes three historic barns, a farmhouse, a workshop barn and 123 acres of farmland. TPF’s most ambitious project has been the restoration of the three Historic Barns of Nipmoose (the Scottish Barn, German Barn and Corn Crib). These barns reflect the outstanding craftsmanship of 18th and 19th century timber framers.
TPF has provided advice, education and advocacy to individuals and organizations relating to land conservation and preservation of historic structures. TPF has also partnered with numerous organizations, local, national and governmental. These include Agricultural Stewardship Association, American Farmland Trust, Pittstown Historical Society, Civicure, Friends of the West Hoosick Hills, and the Townships of Pittstown and Hoosick.
TPF is currently partnering with the Pittstown Historical Society to nominate multiple historic farmsteads to the National Register of Historic Places. This project, which included the completion of Cultural Resource Surveys of 26 historic farmsteads, has been funded with grants provided by the Hudson River Valley Greenway of NYS and The Preserve New York Grant Program, which is administered by the Preservation League of NYS and the NYS Council on the Arts.
TPF has been actively documenting numerous historic agricultural resources. TPF photographed and kept detailed records of the restoration of the Historic Barns of Nipmoose. In addition, TPF has documented the historic farmsteads of Pittstown, the agricultural landscape of the West Hoosick Hills, and numerous historic barns and houses in northern Rensselaer County. TPF implemented the successful application of the Sherman Farm in Valley Falls, NY, to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The most extensive documentation initiative undertaken by TPF has been the study of the historic barns of Hoosick. The study includes close to 200 barns in the township of Hoosick, all of which were constructed by timber framers in the 18th and 19th centuries. The study is in progress, and it is anticipated that it will result in a book and an exhibit.
TPF has promoted land stewardship, including the reclamation of farmland. At the Nipmoose Farm, for example, TPF has initiated land clearing, restoration of soil viability, crop rotation and installation of drainage courses. Other practices involving stewardship of the land have also been instituted at the Nipmoose Farm, such as conservation of the wetlands. On a second farmstead owned by TPF (the Coons Farm), natural resource initiatives have been implemented. These include a forest management plan and the creation of wildlife habitat.
TPF now offers the Historic Barns of Nipmoose as a venue for Events. The barns may be rented for events and programs such as weddings, parties, tours, educational forums, exhibits and conferences. It is hoped that these extraordinary barns will impress visitors as to the beauty of America’s agricultural heritage and the importance of preserving it.