The Peru Gazette

Senator Stec and the men and women of Ward Lumber after receiving their official state Historic Business Preservation Registry Certificate 

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today presented Jay Ward and the workers of Ward Lumber with the official state certificate honoring the company for its addition to the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry. The registry launched earlier this year and Ward Lumber, Stec’s nominee, is one of the first 100 businesses selected for this honor.

“I’d like to congratulate Ward Lumber on being added to the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry,” said Stec. “Since its start in the AuSable Valley in 1890 through the present day, Ward Lumber has become a cornerstone of this region. Between its rare status as a worker-owned cooperative and history of volunteerism and contributions to Jay and Malone, Ward Lumber is more than deserving of this honor.”

“We are honored and humbled to be one of the first businesses in North Country to be recognized as a New York State historic business,” said Jay Ward. “After 132 years and four generations of Ward family ownership, I’m privileged to be able to continue to lead Ward Lumber now as CEO into the next chapter of our long history as a worker-owned cooperative. The goal is that Ward Lumber will carry on for at least another 130 years.”

To view Ward Lumber and the other businesses designated for the registry, visit the interactive map at https://parks.ny.gov/historic-preservation/business-registry/default.aspx.