Heritage Preservation Awards

Heritage Preservation Awards

Nominations Sought for Third Annual Rochester Heritage Preservation Awards

The Rochester Heritage Preservation Committee is seeking nominations for Heritage Preservation Awards to be presented during National Heritage Preservation Month in May of 2011.  Nominations will be considered for each of the following six categories:

  • HISTORIC RESTORATION OR REHABILITATION PROJECT:  Eligible projects are historic buildings, structures, objects or landscapes that have been restored to an earlier form or condition, while retaining their historic significance, character, and fabric.
  • ADAPTIVE REUSE PROJECT:  Eligible projects are buildings, structures, objects or landscapes that have been changed to suit different conditions or a new use, while retaining as much significant historic material as possible.
  • COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY:  Eligible candidates are individuals or organizations that have made an overall contribution to historic preservation, preservation-related education and outreach projects. 
  • INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT:  Eligible candidates are individuals who have displayed leadership, courage and dedication to heritage preservation in the course of their career or lifetime.  
  • STEWARDSHIP:  Eligible candidates are individuals or organizations who have maintained or stabilized a historic building, structure, object or landscape so that its character and useful life may be appreciated by future generations.
  • INFILL PROJECT:  Eligible projects incorporate a new building, landscape or feature into the existing historic fabric of a street, neighborhood or district in a way that is respectful of, and in harmony with, the surrounding historic fabric.

The deadline for submitting nominations is    March 1, 2011.  Please contact Kevin Blondo at kevin.blondo@hdrinc.com or (507) 535-8203 for a nomination form or for additional information.

Background Information
The National Trust for Historic Preservation created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts throughout the United States.  By 2005, the overwhelming popularity of Preservation Week events prompted the National Trust to declare the entire month of May as National Preservation Month. 

Preservation Month has now become a national celebration of local heritage that features architectural and historic tours, award ceremonies, fundraising events, educational programs, heritage travel opportunities, and other annual activities in towns and cities across the nation.  In this way, the observance of Preservation Month has increased awareness of local heritage, as well as the diverse architectural traditions of American cities and states, and has enabled more Americans to become involved in the growing historic preservation movement.

The Rochester Heritage Preservation Committee is a citizen advisory board whose volunteer members are appointed by Mayor Ardell Brede.  Its mission is to “foster an awareness of Rochester history so that the community can draw strength and perspective from the past and find purpose for the future.”  To this end, the committee advocates for the preservation of Rochester’s heritage resources, and encourages their collection and care.

Current members of the committee are:  Kevin Blondo (Chair), Justin Voss, Arleeta Messick, Eileen Zirbel, Jane Bisel, Mary Ellen Landwehr, Billy Sabin, Tim Schmitt, Cynthia Scott, Josh Seresse, Robert Tremain, and Stevenson Williams.

Have a comment? Join us on Facebook!