GUILDERLAND — The Albany County Legislature has awarded the Friends of the Schoolcraft House a $5,000 grant to perform interior work at the John L. Schoolcraft House, a historic home owned by the Town of Guilderland. The work will include painting and staining base and crown moldings, and installing historically accurate hardware for doors and windows.
The award was provided at the recent 2017 County Legislative Grant ceremony on Wednesday, June 7, and was accepted by Town Historian Ann Wemple-Person, former Town Historian Alice Begley, as well as Susan Lord, Graham Lord, and Sally Lovering, members of the Friends of the Schoolcraft House, an organization devoted to the care of the house.

This award was sponsored by Albany County Legislator Dennis Feeney (D-28), who represents the district where the house is located.“I am very familiar with the Town’s efforts to complete the restoration of this historic home,” he said, “and I was pleased to provide this assistance.”
Town Historian Ann Wemple-Person commented that she “is thrilled that the grant will immediately fund work to largely complete the careful and beautiful restoration of the house’s first floor.”
The award complements a grant provided by Assemblywoman Pat Fahy for exterior painting and roof replacement that should be completed this year.
The John L. Schoolcraft House is located at 2299 Western Avenue and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in the 1840s as a summer retreat by John L. Schoolcraft, a Congressman and successful businessman. Currently, the Schoolcraft House is used for historical and educational events, music ensembles, lectures, and classes.
The Town also owns the Mynderse-Frederick House, a historic home at 461 Main Street in Guilderland Center, which was built in 1802 and is listed on the National Register. On Saturday, June 17, from 1 – 4 p.m., the Frederick House is hosting an open house with guided tours of the house and its award winning gardens.