MEET OUR 2026 SITES

Across Western New York and the Southern Tier, communities are breathing new life into historic places, public spaces, and downtowns. As part of the 2026 Chusid Symposium on Place, we recognize seven sites that reflect the power of preservation, community investment, cultural heritage, and adaptive reuse.

Explore the featured sites below to see how communities across the region are preserving the past while creating space for what comes next.

Jamestown, Chautauqua County

Robert H. Jackson Center

Housed in a historic Jamestown mansion, the Robert H. Jackson Center carries Justice Jackson’s legacy forward through civic education and public programming.

Learn About Robert H. Jackson Center

Wellsville, Allegany County

Fassett GreenSpace

Built on the former Fassett House site, this community greenspace has transformed a vacant Main Street lot into a shared garden and gathering place.

Learn About Fassett GreenSpace

Cuba, Allegany County

Palmer Opera House‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Saved from demolition, the restored Palmer Opera House has become a renewed Main Street anchor for arts and community life.

Learn About Palmer Opera House

Olean, Cattaraugus County

St Stephen’s Episcopal Church & Watson Ministry Center

St. Stephen’s transformed its underused Watson building into a community center for mental health care and victim support.

Learn About Watson Ministry Center

Olean, Cattaraugus County

Tri-County Arts Council

Tri-County Arts Council brought a long-vacant downtown building back to life as a home for local artists and creative activity.

Learn About Tri-County Arts Council

Olean, Cattaraugus County

Olean Downtown

Through the Walkable Olean initiative, the city reshaped its historic downtown to support safer transportation and renewed investment.

Learn About Olean

Bolivar, Allegany County

Pioneer Oil Museum

Founded by local oil producers, the Pioneer Oil Museum preserves the industry that shaped Bolivar and the surrounding region.

Learn About Pioneer Oil Museum