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October 22, 2026
NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF $1.25M BRICK TAVERN MUSEUM RENOVATION AND EXPANSION IN MONTOUR FALLS
Historic Landmark Receives Accessibility Upgrades and New Space to Preserve Schuyler County’s History
Project Supported by $792,000 Grant Through the Village’s $4.5 Million NY Forward Award
Video Available Here
New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley today announced the completion of the $1.25 million renovations and an expansion of the historic Brick Tavern Museum in downtown Montour Falls. The project includes a new annex for museum collections, interior and exterior improvements and accessibility upgrades. The project was supported by a $792,000 grant from the New York Department of State, through the Village’s $4.5 million NY Forward award received in the first round of the program.
“A community’s history is a foundational element of downtown revitalization, connecting the past with the promise of the future,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “The renovation and expansion of the Brick Tavern Museum will further showcase Montour Falls’ rich history, while opening the museum up to people of all abilities with its accessibility features. From its origins as a tavern to its later uses as a boys’ school, boarding house and private residence, this building reflects several important chapters in the Village’s history. With these improvements, it will continue to serve as a community asset for generations to come.”
The Brick Tavern Museum building was constructed in 1828, making it the oldest brick structure in Schuyler County, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It originally served as a tavern along the stagecoach route before being repurposed as a Select School for Boys, a boarding house and the private residence of Dr. Charles D. Clawson—then head of the Bethesda Sanitorium. The building was sold to the Schuyler County Historical Society in 1974 and subsequently became a museum.
Improvements to the Brick Tavern Museum include:
- Construction of a new 1,600 square foot annex
- Accessibility feature upgrades, such as a 3-stop elevator and an ADA-compliant entrance, doorways and restrooms
- New dedicated space to preserve the museum’s stored collection
Montour Falls was the Southern Tier region’s winner of a $4.5 million award in the first round of the NY Forward program. Other winners in the Southern Tier region include Village of Waverly, Village of Groton, Village of Hammondsport/Town of Urbana, Village of Bath, Village of Dryden, Village of Stamford and Village of Margaretville.
The Brick Tavern Museum is the first project completed under Montour Falls’ NY Forward award. Other projects awarded include:
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Enhance Walkability and Comfort on Main Street through Streetscape Improvements ($971,000): Improve walkability and pedestrian comfort along Main Street with enhanced crosswalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb bump-outs and sidewalk extensions, street trees, green infrastructure, benches, signage, public art installations and gateway arches.
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Build Townhomes on Vacant Lot in Downtown Montour Falls ($916,000): Construct new townhomes for long-term rentals in the heart of downtown Montour Falls.
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Build a New Dental Office and Apartments on Catharine Street ($685,000): Construct a new building on a vacant property that will house an established dental practice, space for a commercial business and new long-term apartments on Catharine Street. The building will include room to expand the dental practice.
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Develop a Small Project Fund to Help Local Businesses ($200,000): Implement a grant fund for small projects in the NY Forward boundary that will support building renovations, facades, interior build-outs, permanent equipment, awnings and signage.
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Improve Street Lighting on N Catharine Street ($936,000): Upgrade existing street lighting on Catharine Street to include infill pedestrian-level lighting to create a more comfortable environment for pedestrians at night.
Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Dr. Mary Bonderoff and Judy McKinney-Cherry said, "We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of this transformative project. As an inaugural recipient of a New York Forward award, Montour Falls is demonstrating how strategic investment can build upon the community’s climate-smart and sustainability efforts, strengthen its cultural assets, and position the Village for new investment and long-term economic vitality. We thank Governor Hochul for the creation of the New York Forward program—an initiative that recognizes the potential of smaller communities and provides the resources needed to make a significant and lasting impact, especially here in the Southern Tier."
Mayor of Montour Falls James Ryan said, "On behalf of the Village of Montour Falls, I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and Secretary of State Walter Mosley for their continued investment in our community. Cutting the ribbon on the Brick Tavern Museum — the first of our NY Forward projects to break ground and now the first to be completed — is a proud day for Montour Falls. It preserves the heritage that makes our village special, draws visitors to our Main Street, and shows what is possible when the state partners with a small community. With more NY Forward projects on the way, including new street lighting and downtown revitalization, Montour Falls is moving forward — and we are just getting started."
Schuyler County Historical Society Paul Bartow said, “The expansion of the Brick Tavern Museum represents more than an investment in a historic building; it is an investment in the cultural identity and collective memory of Schuyler County. By expanding access to historical resources, strengthening our capacity for preservation and stewardship, and creating new opportunities for education and community engagement, the Schuyler County Historical Society will be better positioned to connect our past with the generations who will shape our future."
Schuyler County Historical Society Executive Director Heather O'Grady-Evans said, "The Schuyler County Historical Society has worked tirelessly over the past 8 years to bring Uplifting History! Accessibility for All to fruition and completion. Thanks to the dedicated Board of Trustees and an extremely supportive membership and community, we are eternally grateful for all the support that helped make this project a reality."
About the NY Forward Program First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the Downtown revitalization Initiative, which launched in 2016. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.
NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through four rounds, the NY Forward program will have awarded a total of $340 million to 77 communities across every region of the State. The FY 2027 Enacted Budget provides $100 million in funding toward NY Forward.
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