New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has selected 23 historic sites for inclusion on the state and national registers of historic places.
The Democratic governor says the designation will help property owners obtain tax credits for preservation while boosting arts, culture and tourism.
The sites announced Friday include an early black community along the Hudson Valley that served as a refuge for freed and escaped slaves, a commercial district in Utica with roots stretching back nearly 200 years, and a Catskills retreat that belonged to a 19th century businessman who made his money in soda fountains.
The state's historic preservation officer must formally approve the nominations for the state register and will then recommend them for the national register.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press
