As Ogdensburg has painfully learned, newer is not always better. Decades ago, the Urban Renewal Project promised to revitalize our city by removing blighted properties and replacing them with modern, clean edifices. Instead, historic buildings were demolished with little oversight, leaving permanent scars on our community. Among our most tragic losses was the magnificent Averell Mansion on Ford Street. Today, as we look to the future of our downtown, we stand at a crossroads where we can learn from our local history. The E.A. Newell House presents a great opportunity for adaptive reuse that both honors our past and serves our future.
The Newell House is a cornerstone of the Library Park National Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Spanning seven acres in downtown Ogdensburg, this district celebrates our city’s prominent 19th- and early 20th-century settlement. It includes seven contributing historic buildings, one historic site (Library Park itself), and Sally James Farnham’s “Spirit of Liberty” sculpture. The Newell House is one of the few remaining historic residences left in our downtown, making it an essential part of our community.
The home's architectural changes reflect the shifting tastes of American history. Originally designed as a Queen Anne home, the structure was extensively remodeled in 1931 into the Tudor style that stands today. This style became extremely popular in the early 20th century. The Newell House proudly exhibits the prominent features of the movement: steeply pitched roofs, half-timbered wall surfaces, decorative chimneys, stucco, brickwork, and distinct diamond-shaped casement windows. Its architectural craftsmanship is rarely seen today.
Beyond its architectural value, the Newell House is directly connected to the people who shaped Ogdensburg's early development. It was constructed for Ogdensburg native Edgar A. Newell. Born in 1853, Newell was a leader of our regional economy and a four-time mayor of our city. His foray into business began in 1877 at H.F. Lawrance’s bookshop, which he eventually bought into and expanded into the Edgar A. Newell Company in 1908. He went on to form the Newell Manufacturing Company, producing brass goods, while also serving as president of the Board of Trade and director of the National Bank. He was also active in public and community affairs, serving on the State Prison Commission, the Masons, the Odd Fellows, and the First Baptist Church until his death in 1920.
For generations of Ogdensburg families, the Newell Manufacturing Company was a major part of the local economy and one of the city's largest, most reliable employers. Even during the Great Depression, Newell’s focus on high-demand housewares kept its production lines running, providing steady wages when local families needed them most. During its peak employment years, it employed multiple generations of the same families. As a result, the Newell name became a symbol of financial stability.
The Newell family legacy is also one of philanthropy. Edgar’s wife, Addie Priest Newell, an early graduate of the Potsdam Normal School, was important in providing care for those in need. She was a founder and vice president of the United Helpers Home, a long-time trustee of the Ogdensburg Public Library, and a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church until she passed away in 1926. Their sons, Albert (an attorney) and William Allen (joint owner of Newell Manufacturing), carried this legacy forward.
Following the Newell family, other owners of the home were also closely involved in Ogdensburg’s business and civic affairs. From 1930 to 1953, the house was owned by Lawrence and Helen Roger Cuthbert. Lawrence rose to become the president of the Newell Manufacturing Company, served as a city alderman, and represented the region as a delegate to state and national conventions. Later, the home belonged to local dentist Dr. John Mahoney, followed by the Fred and Nadia Sirotek family. The Sirotek sons, Norman and Robert, developed the popular Wizardry video game series during the 1980s. Today, the home is owned by the Frederic Remington Art Museum and serves as the Eva Caten Remington Education Center. The building's inclusion on the National Register provides the exact tools needed to ensure its long-term preservation.
Listing a property on the National Register of Historic Places offers practical benefits beyond historical recognition. From an environmental standpoint, adaptive reuse reduces demolition waste and minimizes the need for new construction materials. Culturally, historic districts provide a connection to a city's past, fostering community pride and attracting heritage tourism that benefits the local economy.
Choosing preservation over demolition is a good financial decision. An adaptive reuse plan can unlock millions of dollars in capital funding. Stabilization can begin immediately, and restoration can be executed in phases, much like the successful model utilized at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where historic structures—including a 19th-century residential property—were stabilized and repurposed into modern spaces.
By leveraging New York State’s powerful preservation incentives, partners can access a 20% Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit matched by a 20% to 30% New York State Historic Tax Credit. Together, these credits can cover nearly half of the qualified rehabilitation expenses, making stabilization and renovation a financially viable alternative to the wrecking ball.
While the Newell House is currently part of the Remington Art Museum, a thoughtful, creative mixed-use plan can successfully honor its history while serving the museum's future needs. By working together as a community, we can successfully balance the preservation of our history and our downtown's future needs.
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