53 Pioneer Restoration Announced; Fundraising Goal Set at $2M

By WRILEY NELSON
COOPERSTOWN

The Cooperstown Art Association and The Smithy Gallery announced a major renovation and restoration project of the historic 53 Pioneer Street building in a joint statement in October. The $2 million project will encompass the entire three-story interior and the exterior facade, and will ultimately make the building adjacent to The Smithy available for year-round use. It will feature exhibition space, retail space, flexible use classrooms, a commissary kitchen for culinary teaching, and an indoor-outdoor event venue for the benefit of residents and tourists alike.

53 Pioneer is the southern half of a stone Federal-style building and faces The Smithy’s main building across an alley. A Cooperstown Graduate Program history report published by Peyton Tracy and Peter Glogovsky in 2016 notes that it was built in 1826 by William Wilson and Richard Cooley. Cooley’s family held the property until 1920. The Cooper family purchased it in 1929 and sold it to Smithy-Pioneer Gallery Inc. in 1987.

Altonview Architects, the Cooperstown firm known for the Brookwood School, Brewery Ommegang and the Farm Credit East building, has been retained to design the new facility. Their plan combines energy-efficient updates and preservation of historic architectural features with a flexible, modern, and multipurpose interior. Carmen Busch will partner with the firm to plan outdoor spaces, including the garden patio that connects 53 Pioneer with the Smithy.

“We are thrilled to be embarking on this capital campaign to further invest in the rich artistic culture of this incredible region,” said CAA and Smithy Executive Director Janet G. Erway. “Not only will we strengthen our offerings to artists and art enthusiasts, but we will continue to uphold the arts as a cornerstone and benchmark of a thriving community.”

The Smithy and CAA formed an affiliation in 2014 after years of parallel work and now share governance, leadership, and strategic planning. Combined, they have about 500 members and attract more than 5,000 visitors each year. 53 Pioneer will be operated jointly by both organizations.
To date, the project has raised more than $600,000.00 through a NY Forward grant. It seeks commitments of financial support over five years from businesses, individuals, foundations and government agencies by the end of 2026. The fundraising goal of $2 million will support construction, furnishings, equipment and staffing.

CAA’s announcement noted that job growth in the arts and culture sector outpaced overall job growth in Upstate New York by a factor of nearly 10 from 2009 to 2019. An ongoing migration of working artists to the state’s rural areas has partially mitigated overall population decline. In addition to new residents, arts projects contribute to increased tourism by providing a more diverse set of attractions.

For more information, contact (607) 547-9777 or gallery@cooperstownart.com.