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National Historic Landmarks are significant historic places that help illustrate or interpret the heritage of the United States. To be designated as one of these landmarks, the building, land or property must have been involved in a historical event that was significant to our culture, contribute to our country’s historical culture or impact us historically.
While Yaddo’s application for National Historic Landmark designation took into consideration the property, the buildings and the historic artifacts, the decision to give it such a status was the essential role it has played in fostering and encouraging thousands of creative artists over the years. The majority of those artists helped to define our American culture.
“One of the elements used by [the National Parks System] was the role Yaddo played in America’s cultural history,” said Lesley Leduc, public affairs coordinator for Yaddo.
Yaddo offers, at no charge, residency stays for professional creative artists so that they can work unencumbered and uninterrupted on new pieces. Artists from all mediums including photography, writing and painting have spent time on the 400 acre retreat.
Artists such as Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote and Saul Bellow have had a residency there. Of all the artists who have stayed at Yaddo, 68 have won Pulitzer Prizes, 27 MacArthur Fellowships and 61 have received National Book Awards. American writer Saul Bellow, who also spent a residency at Yaddo, won, among dozens of other awards, a Pulitzer, the National Medal of Arts and the Nobel Prize for Literature.
“We are extremely pleased and honored to receive this designation in recognition of Yaddo’s essential role in shaping American culture for the past century,” said Yaddo president, Elaina H. Richardson.
Yaddo is soon opening a new state-of-the-art studio facility.
"This honor is a fitting tribute to the place which is an important part of American history and to the significant role Yaddo has played, and continues to play, in our culture as the support of artistic creativity redounds to the benefit of us all," said Yaddo Board of Directors Chair Peter C. Gould.
Properties designated as National Historic Landmarks are automatically listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Yaddo is part of an historic district that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but was not listed individually.
The National Historic Landmarks Program, established in 1935, is administered by the National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior. The agency works with preservation officials and other partners interested in nominating a landmark. Completed applications are reviewed by the National Park System Advisory Board, which makes recommendations for designation to the Secretary of the Interior. If selected, property ownership remains intact but each site receives a designation letter, a plaque, and technical preservation advice. National Historic Landmark status does not in any way restrict Yaddo in managing or maintaining their property.
