Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry

Local businesses are the backbone of villages, towns, and cities across New York State and have helped shape the history, heritage, and identity of the communities they serve.

The Historic Business Preservation Registry highlights New York businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their community’s history.

At a time when many businesses face new and unique challenges, this registry allows us to recognize and honor historic businesses, while providing educational and promotional assistance to ensure their continued viability and success.

Explore the Registry

Find out more about the businesses featured in the Historic Business Preservation Registry by using the program’s Interactive Map.

About the Program

The New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry (HBPR) was established by Chapter 241 of the Laws of 2020, sponsored by Senator Jose Serrano and Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell. The HBPR was enhanced by Chapter 146 of the Laws of 2023 by legislation sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner.

The program is administered by the Division for Historic Preservation at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).

The HBPR is an honorific program only and inclusion in the registry does not subject businesses to regulatory oversight by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Nomination Process

Nominations to the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry must be sponsored by an elected state official (the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and members of the Senate or Assembly). Anyone interested in having a qualified business added to the registry should reach out to their state representative and request to be nominated.

• Each elected official may nominate up to 10 businesses (per term)
• Program is non-competitive; if nomination criteria are met, the business will be added to the registry
• Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis
• Updates to the registry’s interactive map are made quarterly
• All businesses included in the registry are provided with an official registry certificate and window decal

Eligibility Criteria

Businesses nominated for inclusion in the New York State Business Preservation Registry must be proposed by a state elected official and meet the following criteria:

• The business shall have operated in the state for 50 or more years with no break in operations exceeding two years. The business may have operated in more than one location, but shall have operated in the same municipality for a minimum of 50 years.
  • Business should have a verifiable founding date with appropriate supporting documentation. Acceptable documentation includes material that dates from within five years of the business’ founding.
  • If the business is a franchise or has multiple locations, the first building location or corporate headquarters may be eligible for inclusion in the registry if that location has remained unchanged within the 50-year operation period. A business that has moved from one municipality to another during its operation period must be located within the current municipality for a minimum of 50 years.
  • Note: Inclusion in the Historic Business Preservation Registry shall be tied to the business entity within a given municipality and not to a specific building or location. For example:
    • a business occupying a new structure located in the same municipality where it was founded may qualify for the registry
    • a business that is less than 50 years old or does not meet the full criteria but is housed in a building older than 50 years old does not qualify.
• The business shall demonstrate a contribution to the municipality’s history and/or identity.
  • A business must be able to document their impact on and contribution to the community. A written narrative should be supported with documentation such as (but not limited to): awards, newspaper articles, interviews, letters of support from local officials, testimonials from patrons/customers, etc.
• The business is committed to maintaining the physical features and traditions that define such businesses, including – but not limited to – craft, culinary, or art forms.
  • Changes that reflect broad historic trends within a specific industry (example: a carriage company turned automobile manufacturer) are permissible, but businesses that have shifted from one industry to another during their operation period do not qualify.

The following factors DO NOT impact a business’s eligibility for inclusion in the registry:

• Age and/or historic status of the business’s building
  • A business in the HBPR is not required to continuously occupy the same building if all other eligibility criteria are met
  • A business’s building is not required to reflect any specific historic period
  • A business’s building it not required to be designated a historic landmark or to be determined eligible for inclusion in the State or National Registers of Historic Places
• Ownership
  • It is not required for a business to be owned by the same entity (example: family) for the entire required 50-year operation period
• Business’s size
  • Business size (example: the largest employer or part of the largest industry in a specific municipality) does not automatically constitute eligibility for inclusion in the registry
• Name/brand
  • If a business name or brand shifts or changes over the 50-year operation period – but the core business remains the same – the business may qualify for inclusion in the Registry if all other eligibility criteria are met

Program Contact

For questions about the program or the status of a nomination, contact Kristian Price at Kristian.Price@parks.ny.gov