Pine Hills Wellington on List of Americas 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

WASHINGTON – The National Trust for Historic Preservation today unveiled its annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, which includes a Catskills mainstay. 

Across the United States, compelling, meaningful historic sites are at risk, whether from natural disasters, underutilization, neglect, or lack of awareness,” said Carol Quillen, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Each site on this year’s list has inspired passionate supporters from their surrounding communities to work together to save these cherished landmarks and repurpose them for the public, now and into the future. Their leadership shows the power of preservation to create stronger communities, energized local economies, and a healthier environment for everyone.”    

Since first debuting in 1988, the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places has proven to be a highly effective tool for shining a light on the threats facing our nation’s greatest treasures. Due to the efforts of the National Trust and its passionate supporters, the 11 Most Endangered list has often provided the decisive force needed to preserve important cultural landmarks. Now in its 38th year, the ongoing initiative has galvanized public support behind more than 350 sites to date with only a handful lost.  

Built in 1882, The Wellington Hotel (first known as The Ulster House Hotel) is one of few surviving examples of the large-scale wood-frame resorts built in the Catskills region of New York in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hotels like the Wellington were significant to the development of tourism as a major resort industry in the Catskills. At one time, the Wellington was one of fourteen hotels in the hamlet of Pine Hill.

Today, Pine Hill still relies on tourism as its economic driver, but the Wellington’s condition has undermined its ability to serve visitors or the community. It has been deteriorating for years, and the foundation is in danger of collapse. Temporary stabilization measures are not projected to last more than a few years. Saving the Wellington will require foundation replacement, flood mitigation measures, and a fire suppression system, as well as major rehabilitation of the interior and exterior. Full restoration costs are estimated at around $7 million—an amount hard to reach for a small community of 339 people.

In 2022, the Wellington went up for sale. Twenty community members concerned about the building’s future banded together to raise funds to purchase the hotel, clean up the property, and begin investigating feasible reuses. A community-based multi-member LLC now called Wellington Blueberry is pursuing plans to rehabilitate the Wellington using Federal and State Historic Tax Credits. Based upon community needs, the Wellington will house a grocery store and café, with 10 workforce apartments. The project is supported by the Town of Shandaken, Ulster County, Restore NY, and nonprofit housing developer RUPCO, Inc. However, the coalition requires significant additional funding towards the $7 million needed to not only save an important historic property but also activate the Wellington Hotel to serve its community while providing a model for other projects in rural areas.

To learn more about the places on this year’s list and find out what you can do to help preserve them, go to www.SavingPlaces.org/11Most.