Roosevelt Island Landmark Structures On National Register Of Historic Places Receive Historic Roadside Markers From William G Pomeroy Foundation - New Signage For Good Shepherd, The Lighthouse, Strecker Lab, Smallpox Hospital & Blackwell House

Image From William G Pomeroy Foundation

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) reports:

Historic Markers Come to Roosevelt Island

Walking by the Chapel of the Good Shepherd,

Image From RIHS

the Lighthouse,

Image From RIHS

Strecker Laboratory,

Image From RIHS

Smallpox Hospital

Image From RIHS

and Blackwell House

you will notice signs indicating the these landmark properties are registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the National Register? The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archaeological resources. All of our 6 historic structures are on the National Register along with the New York State Register and are designated New York City Landmarks.

How did the signs get here and who donated them to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society to place the signs. Here is the unique story.

On October 19, 2004, William G. “Bill” Pomeroy was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Working with a wonderful team of doctors at both Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, NY and Dana Farber in Boston, MA, Bill received a stem cell transplant on May 26, 2005. Three years later, he had the privilege of meeting his donor, a 28 year-old gentleman from Texas. Bill developed a close friendship with his donor. In May 2011, Bill was invited as a guest of honor at his donor’s wedding.

After his diagnosis, Bill established The William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a private foundation that focuses on Bill’s greatest passions.

Bill’s passion is historic research, preservation and historic tourism. The William G. Pomeroy Foundation launched the Historic Roadside Marker Grant Program in 2006 to erect markers at historically important locations in towns and villages within Onondaga County, New York.

In 2010, the program was expanded to also include the New York counties of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, and Oswego as eligible grant recipients. The program then added Erie and Genesee County in 2011.  In April 2012, The William G. Pomeroy Foundation expanded the program to include all municipalities and 501c (3) organizations as eligible grant recipients.

The participation and enthusiasm for the Historic Roadside Marker Program has enabled The William G. Pomeroy Foundation to play a vital role in helping communities preserve their local history. Since the program’s inception, The William G. Pomeroy Foundation has funded almost over 240 historic markers in 43 counties within New York State.

“The RIHS is proud to participate in this program and focus attention on our five National Register, New York City and New York State designated landmarks”, said Judith Berdy, President of the RIHS. (The Octagon has the same status but is not eligible for the signage since it is now a residential building.

Here's more on the National Register Of Historic Places



and the William G Pomeroy Foundation Historic Markers program.