Meet Kate.
Kate Wood grew up criss-crossing the country with her educator parents and two brothers (now an architect and a National Park ranger) in the family’s Volkswagen Bus, visiting house museums, battlefields, Main Streets, and wildlife sanctuaries.
Today, Kate Wood is an award-winning preservationist, real estate broker and principal of the full-service historic rehabilitation firm, Worth Preserving. Whether house hunting or rehabbing, she partners with clients to unlock the potential of old buildings, applying decades of hands-on experience and her extensive network of trusted resources.
Photo by Em McCann Zauder
Best Preservationist ~ Hudson Valley Magazine
There is no historic preservation project I have worked on that would not have benefitted from Kate’s involvement. Her enthusiasm for protecting each historic resource, attention to detail and schedule, and ease of engagement with the range of individuals and entities required for the success of any project—from jurisdictional boards and staff to design professionals and contractors— are attributes that can only improve the quality and viability of even the most challenging projects.
~ Marilyn Kaplan, RA, FAPT, founder of Preservation Architecture
I couldn’t do this project without Kate. The team she’s built is incredible. Kate is so patient and considerate in how we deal with the different agencies involved and everyone who has to come together for a project like this. ~ Stephanie S.
As a preservation and restoration expert, [Kate] is able to spot both potential AND problems, flagging things that may not be obvious and highlighting opportunities you may otherwise miss. We HIGHLY recommend working with her! ~ Pippa B.
[Kate] is incredibly passionate, knowledgeable, honest, and professional.
~ Fred T.
…unfailingly patient, thoughtful, and knowledgeable… ~ Sara D.
Preservation is Kate’s passion, rooted in her childhood spent exploring historic sites, her education in archaeology and anthropology, and over 15 years’ experience as the CEO of a major organization advocating for New York City landmarks. She taught preservation planning, advocacy and law at Columbia University and co-authored the book, Interior Landmarks: Treasures of New York, published in two editions by Monacelli Press.
Kate believes in the essential value of old-building stewardship to sustain community character. For her, each property is a cause and each client a fellow advocate. She specializes in matching people with properties, skilled contractors, historic tax credits and other benefits to support top-tier rehabilitation projects.
In 2017, Kate joined the team of respected pros at Hudson Valley real estate firm Patricia A. Hinkein Realty. With her expertise in properties eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, she brings hands-on preservation experience to every buyer search and seller listing.
Kate and her husband, New York School of Interior Design President David Sprouls, began rescuing, rehabilitating and reimagining Hudson Valley heritage properties for use as distinctive luxury escapes in 2007, ahead of the “AirBnB” curve. When not sourcing vintage fixtures or swooning over original windows, Kate relishes travel, reading, period dramas, cooking, growing vegetables, and being Patrick’s mom. She studied archaeology and anthropology at Washington & Lee University and Oxford University and holds two M.S. degrees in Historic Preservation and Urban Planning from Columbia University.
Memberships & Engagement:
CIRCA Old Houses guest blogger
Columbia Land Conservancy
Friends of Clermont (Board Member 2018-2021)
Friends of Historic Germantown
Friends of Mills at Staatsburgh
National Association of REALTORS®
New York State Association of REALTORS®
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The Olana Partnership
Preservation League of New York State
Friends & Collaborators.
We rely on a core team of contractors and all-around wonderful people whose indispensable carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, roofing, finishing, and other skills bring joy to our work and, with each project, fresh life to our community.
