Restoration Update as of September 2025

In October 2025, the project was re-bid to contractors. With a successful bid in hand, and we anticipate beginning work in the new year.  

The Gustav Stickley House Foundation (GSHF) is fully committed to the restoration of the the former home of Gustav Stickley at 438 Columbus Avenue in Syracuse, NY. Phase One, exterior restoration, was completed in 2018. Fundraising for Phase Two began in March 2020 with launch of a Capital Campaign on March 5th. Shortly after, as with many things, Covid-19 created a delay in our plans. While the Campaign took a hiatus as the world focused on more immediate needs, our commitment has not wavered. Following the pandemic we continue to worked with our project partners developing the design plan of the interior restoration and raising funds toward this goal.  

Over the past few summers, small constructions projects have occurred at the house in preparation for full restoration. In 2023, four areas of the house were opened up as part of per-construction investigations. These included the main staircase, the original kitchen floor, the second floor bedroom leading to the sleeping porch and third floor doorways. These revealed Stickley era details we were not aware of and helped inform our design plan. In 2025, two area were cleared out and made ready for construction. In the attic, old insulation was removed and the basement was really transformed. The old flooring, wall partitions, and defunct electrical, plumbing and heating systems have been removed and made ready for the next step. On the first floor, the Inglenook and entryway received some attention as well. New floor tiles have been created by Shenfield Studios to replace broken ones in the main entryway. The Inglenook’s fireplace mantel has been restored using salvaged American Chestnut as well as a nearby wall.  

The ultimate goal of Phase Two is to create a unique historic house museum that will include publicly accessible spaces for educational program, exhibits and events on Gustav Stickley, the Arts & Crafts Movement and the Central New York community. In addition, the house will convert the former upstairs apartment spaces that were created in the 1950-1970s into unique guestrooms with historic touches, where individuals can stay overnight and enjoy the house and its distinct environment. This model will serve to help sustain the museum and make it a vital part of the neighborhood and Syracuse community.

The design plan for the interior will restore the remaining historic details of the home which includes much of the first floor, it’s walls, floors, fireplaces, the main staircase, the breakfast room and interior fixtures as well as elements on the upper floors. In addition, a working kitchen will be created to support the house and museum functions. The upper floors will be converted into guest suites and the basement level will house a residential apartment. The building will be brought up to code and will include all required life safety and accessibility features. We are very excited about the future of the Stickley home and what this remarkable property will offer the public both locally and on a national scale.

At the end of 2022, the project received two significant grants from New York State towards the completion of Phase Two. The first was a $750,000 grant through the Environmental Protection Fund as part of the  XII Round of Projects  from the Regional Economic Development Corporation towards for Recreation and Historic Preservation. The second grant was awarded through Senator Rachel May as part of the CREST Grant program. This grant in the amount of $500,000  has given the project enough funding to begin the process of completing construction drawings and go to bid with anticipated construction beginning later this year. (for more details on funding go HERE)

Click Below to view a Video of the Exterior from Jan 2021.