Restoration Progress Reports

Restoration Update 2026 – Phase Two Interior Restoration Begins

The Gustav Stickley House Foundation is fully committed to the restoration of Gustav Stickley’s former home at 438 Columbus Avenue in Syracuse, NY.

The restoration of the Gustav Stickley House,  Stickley’s former house at 438 Columbus Avenue in Syracuse, NY, was divided into two parts or Phases. Phase One, exterior restoration, was completed in 2018. Fundraising for Phase Two, restoration of the home’s interior, began in March 2020 with the launch of a Capital Campaign.  Covid-19 created a significant delay in our plans and the Campaign was paused. In preparation for Phase Two, ongoing interior mini-projects took place in 2023 and 2025, which you can read about below.  Work to secure a contractor for Phase Two began in late 2025 and in September of 2026, the project went to bid. We are very please to share that Casper Construction and Preservation, LLC was awarded the interior restoration project. For the full announcement CLICK HERE  We look forward to providing ongoing updates so we invite you to check back regularly.

Restoration Update Fall 2025

Phase One, the exterior restoration, was completed in 2018. A Capital Campaign for Phase Two, the interior restoration, launched on March 5th but shortly after, Covid-19 created a delay in our plans. The Campaign took a hiatus as the world focused on more immediate needs. 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.

Restoration Update Fall 2018 – Phase One Complete

Work to restore the exterior and stabilize the foundation of the Columbus Avenue house began in July of 2017 and was completed in the following summer. Beyond structural stabilization, the work included masonry repair, asbestos abatement, new roofing, window preservation, wood trim repair & replication, completing a historically accurate paint scheme, and reconstruction of the period front porch which had been missing for decades. A celebration of the completion of Phase One was held at the house in June of 2018. You can read more about that event HERE.