The Landis Arboretum has seen many changes since its humble beginnings as founder Fred Lape’s family homestead, Oak Nose Farm. Those years marked the expansion of the Van Loveland Perennial Gardens, the development of comprehensive nature and educational programming, and a host of unique events: the plant sales, the 5K Forest Run, and the Full Moon Music Series.
But the years have also included the demise of the 500-year-old Great Oak, the gradual decay of the Lape Lilac Collection, and the battle against invasive species. They have taken their toll on the Arboretum’s infrastructure, sited in the rural Northeast, a sometimes harsh environment for aging buildings.
As stewards of Landis, we are determined to preserve its natural and manmade beauty for current and future generations. Within the past year, a very generous native son of Schoharie County has made that possible.
Nicholas J. Juried grew up in Gilboa. The son of Russian immigrants John and Anna Juried, “two of the most wonderful parents any child could ever hope for,” he enjoyed a successful and storied career that has allowed him to share the fruits of his labor with the small local communities he has never forgotten.
Multiple nonprofits throughout Schoharie County have been the grateful recipients of Mr. Juried’s largesse. The Landis Arboretum cannot overemphasize its appreciation for the invaluable gifts he has provided us.
Generosity and giving are contagious in the Arboretum family. Now we are honored to welcome Mr. Juried and his family to ours.
With grants from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, Landis has been able to address critical structural projects in the historic Lape Farmhouse, currently in disrepair. The Meeting House, home of everything from nature programming to musical performances and community gatherings, has been renovated inside and out. A new pavilion and other features will enhance our ability to attract new visitors and to vastly increase our capability to generate rental income from catered events such as weddings, memorials, and conferences.
The million-dollar view still impresses and costs us nothing, but Mr. Juried’s grants open up many new possibilities. New windows and doors sharpen that view. New siding and insulation protect the building’s integrity from the elements and align it with the attached Schoharie County emergency shelter. Brides and grooms, celebration of life and memorial attendees, and hikers and birders – all will be delighted by a stunning open-air pavilion, larger pond, landscaping, walking path, and expansive parking lot at the Meeting House.
The work on the 1840’s Farmhouse truly embodies preservation at its finest. This includes excavation, parging (applying a thin coat of plaster or mortar to masonry to seal it from moisture or smooth a rough surface), and drains to stop the leaks which threaten the building’s foundation. The surrounding stonework on the patio, steps, and walkways is being repaired, replaced, or upgraded for safety. A new HVAC system, floor, and drainage system, all essential elements, will be installed in the cellar. Preliminary planning for solar energy and EV charging stations on the grounds has begun. Even the Farmhouse’s Conference Room, our own “think tank” for Board meetings and other such pursuits, has gotten a facelift.
Outside the Farmhouse, you will see a new roof, exterior repairs, and new paint. The Welcome Center, adjacent to the Farmhouse, is the gateway to Landis for every visitor, whether new or returning. Rain or shine, it’s a place to gather, find Arboretum or community resources, briefly escape a wind or snow squall, or participate in a class or workshop. It now has new doors and trim. The Farmhouse’s antiquated kitchen and bathroom have been totally renovated by the skilled team at Ed Anderson & Son Carpentry, Inc. The kitchen is the home of meal preparation for the lunches we provide for our special family, the Landis Volunteers, those tireless folks who make so much happen at our plant sales and beyond, on-site and through outreach in the community.
To learn more about the remarkable life and contributions of Nicholas Juried, take a ride to the Gilboa Historical Society Museum and Nicholas J. Juried History Center, where you can pick up a copy of his book “As I Remember Things”. It’s a treasure trove of information about the Juried family and its tremendous impact – historical, archival, cultural, and financial – throughout Schoharie County.
The museum has seasonal hours but can be visited by appointment year-round. Go to gilboahistoricalsociety.com or call (607) 652-2665.
With profound respect and gratitude, Mr. Juried, welcome to the Landis Arboretum family. As Gerry Stoner of the Gilboa Historical Society said of Nicholas Juried, “He definitely makes possible big steps.”
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