Southtowns Record

HPC.04.01.2026.AgendaPacket

Government
Town of West Seneca
Board
Historical Preservation Commission
Meeting
Apr 1, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Posted by publisher
Mar 29, 2026
Kind
Agenda packet
Topics
Budget and taxes, Zoning and land use

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 4 of 12

Criteria for Designa on Compliance:
78C-11 A. Individual Landmark. The Commission may delineate an individual property as an individual
landmark if it:

  1. Exemplifies or possesses special character, or historic of aesthe$c interest of value as part of the
  poli$cal, economic, or social history of the Town:
  a. The structure is one of the few remaining, and most intact, examples of Ebenezer
  Society residen al architecture in the Town of West Seneca. It embodies the social
  values and planning of their unique communal society that played a founda onal role in
  the town’s early development. Its survival provides a tangible link to this first phase of
  se9lement, offering rare insight into mid-19th century communal life in Western New
  York.
  2. Is iden$fied with persons or events significant in local, state, or na$onal history;
  a. The property is directly associated with the Community of True Inspira on, one of the
  most historically significant utopian communal socie es in the United States. This
  group’s ideals and built environment were precursors to their eventual migra on to
  Iowa, where they founded the na onally recognized Amana Colonies. The preserva on
  of this house contributes to the broader understanding of these communi es at both
  state and na onal levels.
  3. Embodies the dis$nguishing characteris$cs of a type, period or method of construc$on or design
  style, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or cra+smanship or is
  representa$ve of the work of a designer, architect or builder
  a. The design, both in plan and eleva on of the residence is a prime example of the
  communal living philosophy of the Ebenezer’s. Con nued, accidentally sensi ve
  u litarian altera on to the building reflec ve of the changing needs and percep ons of
  occupants is clearly understood by rear addi ons making understanding the evolu on of
  the building readily understandable, yet reflec ve of the evolu on of the larger town
  simultaneously.
  4. Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the community by virtue of its unique
  loca$ons or singular physical characteris$c, represents an established and familiar visual feature
  of the community; or
  a. Despite it’s reloca$on, the Lower Ebenezer Society Home has gained local recogni$on in
  it’s current 919 Mill St. loca$on, nestled within a predominately residen$al neighborhood
  but s$ll in close proximity to other remaining ( altered ) Ebenezer proper$es
  complimen$ng and anchoring the historic nature of it’s new, current, historic
  surrounding.
  5. Has yielded or may be likely to yield informa$on important in prehistory or history
  a. N/A While archaeological poten al is not the focus of this nomina on, the building’s
  documented and layered evolu on through oral history, physical fabric, and associated
  materials con nues to provide important educa onal value to scholars and the public
  alike.