CORTLAND — A corset factory in Cortland is one of 19 properties that Governor Cuomo has recommended to be added as a historic site.
The Crescent Corset Company was built in 1923, and was the manufacturing site for J.C. Penny’s private label, “Lady Lyke” corsets. At the time, the majority of workers in the factory were female immigrants from Italy.
Mindy Leisenring, Director of the Cortland County Historical Society, says the factory was a big part of the local economy before, and up to, World War II.
“The corset industry was actually huge in Cortland County,” she said. “There was Crescent, there was Cortland Corset, and there was another one in McGraw. It was a big industry, and it provided a lot of work for women. It wasn’t necessarily that common for women to work, but the corset company was always someplace employing women because they could sew and cut patterns.”
Leisenring says preserving these buildings can help provide a place for local business.
“It’s great to rehab these buildings to promote business and especially small local businesses, and anything that can be done to protect the building before it gets lost is of the utmost importance,” she said.
Once the governor’s recommendations are approved and added to the New York State Register of Historic Places, they can be nominated for the national register.
