Railfan.net Railway Station Historical Society E-Mail List Photo rshsdepot-photo/rshsdepot-03-11-14/Utica.jpg

1914 -- 2014

The year 2014 marks the 100^th anniversary of the opening of Utica’s magnificent Union Station. Originally constructed by and as a monument to the New York Central Railroad in a Beaux Arts style, it was very nearly lost in the 1970s due to neglect, apathy, and misguided thinking. It is hard to imagine Utica without its glorious railroad station, as it has become the epitome of what one considers to be a Utica landmark.

In fact, it was the imposing and very real threat to the station that brought the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica into existence. Chartered in 1974 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit historic preservation and educational all-volunteer organization, the Landmarks Society has been the leading voice for historic preservation in the Greater Utica area for the past forty years.

It was the fledgling Landmarks Society that took on the difficult, uphill challenge to save our station from those forces that considered it to be too old, too

decrepit, and too much of a “white elephant” to remain. It was the first major effort by the “new” Society and was ultimately one of the largest, most important and most dramatic historic preservation saves in our forty-year history.

Today it is known as The

Boehlert Center at Union Station and is owned and lovingly cared for by the County of Oneida. It is one of only a handful of stations in New York State that has remained an active train station throughout its lifespan. It serves as a multi-modal transportation center and is a true “union station” as it is used by both Amtrak and the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.

Therefore, it is only fitting that the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica will be capping off the end of a week-long celebration of the 100^th anniversary of our train station with a nostalgic “Steam Engine Dance” Gala Ball at Union Station on Saturday, May 31^st, 2014. Among our major sponsors so far are Oneida County, the

Trackside Restaurant, the Steve Falvo Easy Money Big Band, the Stanley Center for the Performing Arts, Utica College, P.J. Green, Fudge by Angels, Roser Communications and the Radisson Hotel Utica Centre.

The celebration begins with a Pre-Party at the Trackside Restaurant from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. featuring the music of Anthony LaBarbera Live! The “Steam Engine Dance” will be held in the Great Hall (the main waiting room) from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. We will be dancing the night away with the Steve Falvo Easy Money Big Band to the songs of Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and many more. Dress for this event is semi-formal/business attire.

Tickets for the event are $50 per person ($60 at the door). The tickets can be purchased at the Stanley Theatre Box Office Monday – Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased from the Stanley by telephone (315-724-4000) using a credit card ($3.50 service fee) and waiting for you at the door when you arrive at the train station on the night of the event. Admission includes one complimentary beverage, multiple food and dessert stations, cash bar (beer/wine/soft drinks), music, dancing, prizes and surprises! All proceeds will benefit the Landmarks Society in its ongoing effort to preserve and restore the historic mansions at #1 & #3 Rutger Park that were purchased in 2008 by the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.

If you have questions or want more information, please contact (315) 724-0733 or info@uticalandmarks.org.

“Save the Date” -- Saturday, May 31^st, 2014!