We want to help everyone buy & restore historic houses in Albany, preserving architecture, preventing vacancy, and empowering our residents
This year we are combining two great HAF events, the annual Restoration Faire and Repair Cafe. During this special, one-day event you can get the help you need maintaining and repairing your historic home and/or get that item, piece of jewelry, or clothing you love repaired free of charge!
Sunday, June 8 2025
Elks Lodge No. 49,
25 South Allen Street, behind Madison Ave
1 - 4pm
Restoration Help Tabling & Demonstrations
Item Repairs
Salvaged Themed Carnival Games & Ice Cream from Stewart’s Shops
RSVPs appreciated so we can make sure to have enough ice cream!
Repair Cafe
Last it will be taken in for repair at 4pm.
If your item needs a specific part (such as a belt for a particular model) please bring the replacement. We have general parts available for free (such as wires)and we have items available to purchase (like switches) at cost price.
It will be first come, first served and we will try and get through as many people as possible. We will not be taking in any items to repair after 1pm.
What is a Repair Cafe?
Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things together. You’ll find expert volunteers with repair skills in all kinds of fields who will help repair your items (and teach you how to!)
Visitors bring their broken items from home. Together with the specialists they start making their repairs in the Café. The Repair Cafe works on donations, you can donate before, during, or after the cafe if you're able to.
What Kind of Items Can We Fix?
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of what we can work on.
- Lamps
- Clothes
- Knit Items (Crocheted Blankets, Sweaters, etc.)
- Toys
- Jewelry
- Tools
- Small Furniture
- Bicycles
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Small appliances
- Tools that need sharpening
- Wooden Items
Rules: You are welcome to bring several items, but must go to the end of the line after each is fixed. No microwaves please.
Parts: We have a variety of different parts, but if your item needs a specific part to be fixed, please purchase it before an bring it with you as we may not have the part you need. We charge a cost for the parts we provide. We can take cards, cash, or checks.
Waiting Times: We can't predict how long it may take to fix an item, so please be patient. Ask questions of our home restoration experts under the tent, have fun trying to glaze a sash or run a plaster moulding, chat with fellow attendees, watch a fix, and learn some new skills perhaps! Make sure you keep tabs on the wait list and listen for your number to be called when it is your turn!
Restoration Faire
1:00pm-4:00pm
Speak to over 20 experts to get answers to your questions about maintaining and restoring historic homes, buying a historic home, funding a restoration project and more!
Tabling Organizations
Architectural Parts Warehouse
Restoring an old house and need a doorknob that matches the others, a custom sized door, a clawfoot bathtub, or a radiator? The Architectural Parts Warehouse is the Capital Region’s salvage shop all of the historic house parts you need to repair and take care of your old house.
Affordable Housing Partnership
Learn about what first time home buyer programs are coming up, what home repair grants are available, and how to get help with energy efficiency incentives!
City of Albany, Buildings & Regulatory Compliance
Learn about the building permit process, what needs a permit, and how to apply for one
City of Albany, Historic Resources Commission/Planning Department
Learn about the Certificate of Appropriateness process if you own a home in a historic district. What is a CoA, when you do need to apply for one, and how to apply for one.
City of Albany Neighborhood & Community Services
Learn about how to connect with the city services you need from information about trash pick up and snow emergencies to questions about different city programs.
Albany Community Development Agency
Learn how to apply for grants for home repairs.
Love Your Block Grant Program
Learn how to apply for a grant to beautify your neighborhood!
Homestead Funding
Learn about mortgage products that can help you finance your home restoration project!
NYS Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation
Learn about the NYS Rehabilitation Tax Credit for Homeowners and learn how to get 20% of your rehabilitation costs back if you are doing work on your historic home.
Learn about the Federal and NYS Rehabilitation Tax Credit for Income Producing Properties and how to get 40% of your rehabilitation costs back rehabbing on your rental property. Or combine the two if you have a rental unit in your home.
Interested in becoming eligible for the rehabilitation tax credits? Talk to representatives from the State Historic Preservation Office about the benefits of National Register Listing and the Pine Hills survey to see what areas might be eligible for listing and tax credits
Old Albany Real Estate
Looking to sell or buy a historic home in the Capital Region? Speak to one of the preservation friendly realtors to get started.
Pine Hills Neighborhood Association
Connect with neighbors, get in touch with what’s going on in the neighborhood, get support from the neighborhood, and find out what ways to connect with neighborhood residents and businesses are coming up in Pine Hills!
Tool Lending Library
Need tools, but don’t want to invest in tons of single use tools? The Tool Lending Library lends a wide variety of tools from yard tools to hammers and screw drivers to masonry repointing kits.
Water Department (Lead Pipe Replacement Program)
Find out if you have lead water pipes leading to your historic home and learn about the City’s lead pipe replacement program.
West Branch Engineering
Bring your structural questions! Got cracks in your foundation, rot in your porch columns, or more than a little roof sag? Talk to engineer Darren Tracy to get a bit of guidance and put on the right track!
Demonstrations
Plaster Molding Creation, Jim Post
Window Sash Glazing, Ed Smyth, Smyth Sash Revival & Window Restoration
Sash Painting, Pine Hills resident and HAF Board Member, Julie Lundgren
Window Screen Repair, Erin Johanns & Love Your Block Grant Program
