CAZENOVIA — This summer, Nelson Preservation Associates, Inc. (NPA) is seeking donations to help improve the exterior appearance of the Old Drovers Tavern at the northeast corner of the Nelson four corners (3307 US Rt. 20).
NPA was formed in 2019 to revitalize the Nelson Corners area by restoring historic buildings, creating economic outlets for new business, and rebuilding community spaces.
The members of NPA’s all-volunteer board of directors are Nancy Demyttenaere, Carl Stearns, Patricia Groff, Laine Gilmore, Tracy Carman, Rosalyn Bandy, and Amy Spring.
The nonprofit organization’s first major initiative is to preserve the historic Old Drovers Tavern building, and to rehabilitate the entire property to create economic and community-use opportunities.
NPA purchased and renamed the former Magee antique shop and auction house in Nov. 2020.
Originally known as The Sickle and Sheath Drover’s Tavern, the building was constructed around 1804 as a tavern for cattle drovers on the Cherry Valley Turnpike (US Rt. 20), which opened a few years earlier.
Since then, the building has served as a general store, the village post office, a feed store, and an antiques store. In the 1970s, former Assemblyman Bill Magee purchased the property, which continued to function as an antiques store and auction house until recently.
According to NPA, the building retains a high degree of historic architectural integrity.
The existing structure is a six-bay, side-gabled, clapboard-sided building with multiple windows at different levels on the second story. The first story includes a full-length canopy and three historic storefronts, two of which have center doors and flanking multi-light windows.
NPA’s long-term goals for the property involve working with skilled craftsmen, the community, and local experts to return it to a modern-day version of its original purpose.
“The Old Drovers Tavern has served as a focal point of the Town of Nelson for over 200 years,” said Demyttenaere, who is NPA’s president and CEO. “It was not only a gathering place for locals to enjoy food, drink, and entertainment, it was the source of news, transportation, mail delivery, labor, goods and other services. It was the community gathering place that bound townsfolk together in their day to day lives.”
Part of NPA’s work will involve building a replica of the original two-story English barn to replace the modern auction barn. The new structure will be outfitted to accommodate studio apartments that are currently in the main building, as well as a small commercial section in the end facing Rt. 20.
The organization will be conducting a community survey to gain input on potential commercial uses for both the historic tavern and old barn.
While long-term restoration plans are in progress, NPA is also pursuing the following short-term goals: working with the community to learn more about the building’s history by soliciting stories and pictures, bringing the main structure up to code and fixing immediate safety and maintenance issues, staining the main building exterior to better protect the structure until renovations begin, creating measured architectural drawings of the historic tavern to document its construction and evolution, cleaning up and maintaining the property grounds; regrading and improving drainage, working with state officials to get the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and developing documentation and plans to drive grant applications.
NPA is asking the public to assist with its goal of enhancing the appearance of the building by donating funds towards the purchase of paint.
The overall goal is to raise $2,000 by mid-summer; volunteers will start painting by late summer.
“Maintaining the exterior of any building is critical to its general preservation [and] ability to withstand the elements over time, and it provides a neighborly appearance,” said Demyttenaere. “We’ve lived here for over 20 years and I don’t ever remember the tavern’s exterior being painted. Protecting the siding, mending gaps, caulking around the windows, repairing the shutters, and all the other prep that goes into stabilizing the exterior will help preserve it, lower our heating bills and contribute to the upgrades seen in Nelson Flatts these last seven years.”
To donate, visit the Old Drovers Tavern GoFundMe page, or send a check, made payable to Nelson Preservation Associates, to PO Box 452, Cazenovia, NY 13035.
Donors are encouraged to consider asking their companies for matching funds.
All donors will receive a tax-exempt donation receipt and will be listed on the Old Drovers Tavern social media sponsor pages.
Individuals interested in volunteering their time to paint, should email their contact information to [email protected].
NPA is hosting a community bonfire at the Old Drovers Tavern on June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m.
For updates on upcoming events, or to follow the fundraising progress, search The Old Drovers Tavern at Nelson on Facebook or visit olddroverstavern.com.
