Lorenzo Mansion state historic site to reopen for tours on July 18

CAZENOVIA — Guided tours of the Lorenzo Mansion in Cazenovia are scheduled to resume on July 18, following the installation of a new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system at the period house.

That’s according to the New York State Department of Parks and Recreation, which issued a news release on the situation on Tuesday.

The $225,000 construction work is delaying the Lorenzo Mansion’s normal house-tour schedule, the department said.

The project to replace the mansion’s “outdated” HVAC will “improve the experience” for site visitors, the department contends. The new system also seeks to improve the climate controls in the structure to protect its historic collections.

The Lorenzo Mansion dates back to 1807.

The work also includes masonry restoration of both the western and eastern portions of the stone “ha ha wall” along Route 20, the news release said.

The upgrade is one of 279 capital-improvement projects that have started at state parks and historic sites across New York since 2012 under Gov. Cuomo’s New York Works initiative, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Tours will run until Oct. 13 on Wednesdays through Sundays, and Monday holidays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the last tour of the day beginning at 4 p.m., the department said.

Mansion management also schedules group tours year-round through prior arrangement.

The Lorenzo Mansion charges $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and admits children 12 and under for free. Friends of Lorenzo members are also admitted at no charge.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com