Patrick Tavern Restoration Process

The Guiding Assumption in Patrick Tavern Restoration: the use of this building must be economically sustainable.

The Village acquired Patrick Tavern in 1992, and sought a review by preservation architects Crawford and Stearns, with the original plan of making this building a Village Hall. However, its small floor area and lack of accessibility to the second floor made this plan impractical.

In 2001, a grant from the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation to the Village of Aurora began essential repairs with a new roof and (after removal of the porch) a double-staircase entry. In 2014, the Village of Aurora received a Technical Assistance Grant from the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts for a code compliance study, carried out by Bero Architecture. In the grant’s narrative, the “pop-up museum” events of earlier that year served as proof-of-concept for an educational component. Seasonal meeting spaces for local clubs and showcases for local small businesses would also fit with the open plan proposed.

In 2016, the Cayuga County Community Fund provided a grant to the Village of Aurora Historical Society to begin Phase 1 of repairs toward code compliance, and in 2019 provided a second grant to complete Phase 1. These grants were accompanied by numerous private donations.

In 2020, the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation granted $50,000 to complete Phase 2, with Certificate of Occupancy awarded 10/22/2020. The proposal narrative continued to focus on three-season use as the most sustainable format, with the added advantage of exposing the building’s historic construction for its educational interest. An extended-season farmers’ market that would reflect village history while meeting a community need provided an “anchor” use allowing regular public access. This was the origin of the Patrick Tavern Tuesday Market. Since May 2020 it has met weekly in the late afternoon from late May through early December, and once a month February through early May.

This market, an essential service during COVID restrictions, struck a favorable balance for local small businesses (farms, market gardens, home businesses, catering, and fair trade) and customers, especially in the fall and winter. It worked well with the popular local event “Christmas in Aurora,” while leaving room for community events with local clubs and fundraisers.

Meanwhile, Phase 3 of the project continued work on the interior. During this time, several special events as well as the weekly markets made use of the building and property. Museum shows returned in 2023 and have continued since then.

In 2026, another grant ($60,000) from the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation allowed reconstruction of the ca. 1900 porch, still well remembered by many residents.

Future Work: Considerations Related to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards:

For a building with a 231-year history and more than one era of significance, the question “what era is ‘right’?” has more than one answer. The plain west front of the settlement era didn’t make sense with a raised foundation. The porch of the second era of significance (a workers’ neighborhood) allowed visible access, protected the west façade against prevailing winds, fit with neighboring houses, and offered some additional space for community use. These factors made its restoration an appropriate choice. It is a close replica of the 19th century design, but with a higher railing or balustrade to conform to modern Code requirements.

For the east side, the possibilities of appropriate treatments can run the gamut of the building’s eras. However, any design must avoid false historicity, that is, creating the impression of something historic that never was. Simplicity and flexibility are both historically accurate and key to varied community uses. For example, rebuilding the one-story extension for authenticity does not have advantages over an open-sided but roofed structure that draws attention to the original building footprint, which is outlined by the remaining foundation. Modern requirements for a fire escape, easy and direct handicapped access, and railings around the foundation must be met but should not be obtrusive.

Flexibility for the open space (tent/tailgate/parking/events etc.) means keeping that area as large as possible. The present surface is well up to the demands of use, as tested over decades, and fulfills modern ideas of sustainability as well as easy maintenance.

In 2025, a second very early building (appearing on the 1795 map), the Walter Wood Law Office/Post Office, was acquired. Though in very serious decline, it is capable of restoration, and is now in storage. Reconstruction is planned for a corner of this site, in the approximate location of another early law office (Daniel Shepard). Its story is found elsewhere on this site.

By Linda S. Schwab, Ph.D., Village Historian of Aurora