CAZENOVIA — Cazenovia Heritage, a new nonprofit aimed at protecting the community’s past and preserving its future, is set to launch this spring.

The organization, which received approval as a tax-exempt, non-profit in January, is dedicated to the preservation of historical architecture, sites and objects within the Town and Village of Cazenovia.

Cazenovia Heritage will begin operating with two architectural tours in May, which is National Preservation Month.

The organization will present a tour of the village business district on Saturday, May 15 at 10 a.m. A walking tour focused on the evolving architecture of a village neighborhood is scheduled for Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m.

“Cazenovia is fortunate to have many people and organizations that care about Cazenovia’s historic architecture and community character,” said Anne Ferguson, president of Cazenovia Heritage. “In that respect, [our organization] is complementary to those efforts. Cazenovia Heritage, however, has three key differences. The first is our intended advocacy efforts. We intend to pro-actively identify preservation issues of concern to the public and local governments. The second is in providing professional and financial support to property owners. And the third is that we are concerned only with historical preservation in the town and village.”

Cazenovia Heritage was established following a series of focus groups in fall 2020. The response from the Cazenovians in the groups indicated a strong desire for an organization that could focus exclusively on preservation and could provide education and professional expertise to property owners considering changes to their homes.

“Folks in older homes do care about what is a historically appropriate window or molding, or how to save a porch, and where to look for clues when undergoing restoration,” said Ted Bartlett, Cazenovia Heritage vice president. “Often folks don’t know where to turn for guidance, and we stand ready to help in those decisions.”

To increase awareness of local historical resources, the organization has scheduled a series of programs focused on Cazenovia’s historic architecture, neighborhoods, sites, cultural objects, and people.

Cazenovia Heritage Treasurer Carl Stearns noted that although many of Cazenovia’s historic resources are not on listed on the National Register of Historic Places, they are locally significant and contribute to Cazenovia’s character and unique sense of place.

“Our programs seek to foster a culture of caring and stewardship of these resources for future generations,” Stearns said. “The organization’s quarterly newsletter, The Advocate, has already garnered over 200 subscribers, reflecting this interest.”

Cazenovia Heritage plans to identify historic resources that are in danger of being lost due to neglect, demolition, radical alteration, or development. By bringing such places to the public’s attention, the organization seeks to identify solutions, encourage adaptive re-use, and/or generate increased care.

“We want to be the voice for our neighborhoods, farmhouses, homes, and cultural resources that can neither speak nor defend themselves,” said Stearns.

Cazenovia Heritage welcomes new members and additional volunteers.

For 2021-2022, the organization is offering Charter Memberships at $250 for those who are among the first to support its founding.

Other memberships are available for students, individuals, households and businesses.

“We look forward to all Cazenovians taking part in preserving our future,” said Ferguson.

To sign-up for the May walking tours or for additional information on Cazenovia Heritage, its newsletter, and memberships, visit cazheritage.org.