Written By Samantha Bosshart,
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation
Photos by Randall Perry Photography
[From the 2026 Home & Garden Magazine]
“I have been attracted to historic homes ever since I was a little girl when my father took me to the Fenimore House in Cooperstown. I felt so compelled and drawn to it, a feeling of complete awe,” shared Karen Lazar Travis. “When my husband and I first saw 139 State Street, I had that same sense of awe and was inspired by the potential to turn it into a legacy home for our family. I was attracted to the home’s patina, character and unique features including unexpected nooks, multiple porches, and turrets,” she continued.
Karen and her husband Greg Travis purchased 139 State Street in 2012. Not long after, they began a thirteen-year renovation. “The more we got into it and the more we uncovered, the more we felt the responsibility of stewardship for the home and its rich history.”
On March 4, 1886, George C. Hammill acquired two lots on State Street, an attractive place to build a summer cottage as they were adjacent to the extensive 1300-acre estate owned by Judge Henry Hilton, Woodlawn Park. Several other grand homes were built along Clement Avenue and Clinton Street to take advantage of the magnificent views of the grounds of Hilton’s estate.
George Cadwalader Hamill was born in Philadelphia in 1840 into a highly prominent, wealthy family. His wife, Cordelia, otherwise known as Cordie, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1844. In 1870, the Hamills were living in Philadelphia with their two children, Blanche and George. By 1880, they had moved to New York City where George was employed by the US Customs Service.
The “American Architect and Building News” dated December 4, 1886, featured a rendering of the future George C. Hammill residence designed by Herbert Langford Warren. He designed the cottage in the Shingle Style, which was popular from 1880-1910. Warren was a Boston architect who was the Dean of Architecture of Harvard University and author of “The Foundation of American Architecture.” He designed the South End Grounds, a professional baseball park in Boston, and later the 1892 Grandstand that one sees today at the Saratoga Race Course.
The Hamill Cottage has many typical features of the Shingle style. It is clad with shingles that wrap around the building without interruption and often are flared. The style features a rusticated stone foundation and irregular steeply pitched roof lines. The facades are asymmetrical, often featuring towers and extensive porches with columns clad with shingles. There are several ribbons of multi-paned windows throughout the house.
The Hamills used their cottage until 1895 when they rented it to others for the summer months. In 1907, George and Cordelia moved abroad for health reasons. They and their daughter, Blanche Bigelow Bordini, took up residence in Siena, Italy. George died of bronchial pneumonia on February 26, 1919, and was buried in Siena.
Cordelia may have run into financial hardship following George’s passing. On April 19, 1923, The Saratogian gave notice that on April 24, 1923, at 10:00 at the front door of City Hall, the property at 139 State Street would be sold at public auction. It appears that she may have made good on her lien as she transferred 139 State Street to Mary E. Morin on December 23, 1923, only two days before Cordelia’s death in Siena, Italy. The conveyance included all personal property, furniture, and equipment located on the premises. Herman and Rae Cohen of Schenectady acquired 139 State Street six months later.
In 1925, Seth W. Morton and his wife Isabelle of Albany purchased 139 State Street to serve as the family’s summer cottage, which he named Blowing Park. Seth Morton worked in a coal business started by his grandfather, which he later expanded to include fuel oil. Morton was a longtime director of both the Saratoga Racing Association and the Saratoga Golf Club.
Following Seth’s passing on
July 25, 1952, Isabella continued to use the cottage until November 4, 1959, when she conveyed the property to Florence Palmataire, who resided at 649 North Broadway. According to city directories, Florence rented the property to Xavior “Sam” Mastrianni and his wife Beverly in 1962. In December 1968, the Mastriannis acquired the property. Sam was a psychiatrist and skilled clinician who was director of Saratoga County mental health services, director of Saratoga Hospital’s psychiatric inpatient unit, and co-founder and chief operating officer of Four Winds-Saratoga Psychiatric Health System. His wife, Beverly Mastrianni, who had an arts studio in the carriage house, is an alumna of Skidmore College, arts advocate, and artist whose work is in private and corporate collections in the United States, Canada and Europe. Beverly continued to reside at 139 State Street after Sam’s passing in 1995.
In 1998, she sold the property to Lenise Dolan, a psychologist/gerontologist and a pioneer in the field of eldercare. She and her husband, Michael, resided in the house until Benjamin and Marcy Serotta acquired it in 2004. Ben Serotta was a legendary frame builder who founded Serotta Bicycles in 1972, which was known for its proprietary tube and revolutionary titanium designs.
Shortly after Karen and Greg purchased the house from the Serottas, they began renovating the upper two floors. They slowly and thoughtfully undertook the extensive project that also included the main floor with patience and determination. “As we got further into the renovation, the levels of appreciation for what we were doing grew deeper,” said Karen.
The central living spaces still appear much like Warren’s 1886 architectural renderings, showing the massive fireplace at the center of the room, the grand staircase, paneling, and beamed ceiling. “As an interior designer and renovation consultant, it is a humbling experience to be in these spaces and think about all the hands and lives that have touched and shaped them over time. I honored that sense of responsibility by studying and considering the original architect’s intentions while designing our home so it would be both appealing and livable for generations to come,” shared Karen.
Karen approached the renovations to her home with dedication and attention to detail.
“I took care to use historic glass, timeless materials, original hardware, doors and millwork wherever possible,” said Karen. Glass removed from windows was meticulously saved and repurposed into cabinet doors. “You simply can’t replace the beautiful wavy quality and clarity of authentic historic glass,” Karen added. Materials were often supplemented by salvage purchased from Historic Albany Foundation’s Parts Warehouse.
The fireplace detail is George and Cordelia Hamill's initials.
In 2015, Karen and Greg undertook a significant kitchen renovation. “I wanted to set the stage for gracious Saratoga style entertaining,” shared Karen. The new kitchen has expansive windows that invite sunlight and views of the rear gardens and original stone walls.
In 2019, Karen and Greg began the exterior of the main house, carefully integrating new shingles while restoring original trim, windows, and doors. In 2024, they removed a garage that was not original to the house to construct a new addition and garage. “We again took care to incorporate elements that Warren favored such as porches and towers, in the design of the new addition,” said Karen. “We introduced those elements in a thoughtful way to give the home a unified appearance and create new moments of appreciation for the property,” explained Karen.
The renovation inspired Karen to launch Dovecote Home, (for more information, on her curated home décor and furnishings line, as well as services offered, visit dovecotehome.com). Karen received her undergraduate degree and MBA from Cornell University, where she also met her husband, Greg. She began her career in finance. “Between raising our three children and my volunteer work, I always found time to grow and fuel my lifelong passion for design. I’m grateful for this second chapter in my career to be doing work I love,” beamed Karen.
The house is illustrative of Karen’s work – featuring careful attention to color, composition, finishes, and both aesthetic and functional detail throughout. The addition is where she has created a comfortable space for not only her family, but for her clients. “I view my role as guiding my clients to create a renovation vision and to translate that into reality by navigating decisions efficiently, incorporating multiple perspectives, identifying solutions to challenges that inevitably arise, understanding investment implications and coordinating project contributors,” shared Karen. “I speak renovation language in a way all parties understand and can align around. In addition to expertise, I aim to bring joy and calm to what can be a very stressful process,” she added.
Karen and Greg are appreciative of everyone who went on their journey to make their home what it is today. “I see everyone’s work as I move through the house. I’m grateful for their enthusiasm and energy,” said Karen.
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation thanks Karen and Greg for their investment and commitment to being stewards of the 1886 George and Cordelia Hamill Cottage.
The second floor sundeck creates a particularly unique space to pause and appreciate the home’s dramatic roof lines, traditional pebbled horseshoe driveway and garden views.
