Excellence Award Spotlight: Claudette Brady

Claudette Brady has been a staunch advocate for her Brooklyn community for decades. Spearheading the campaign for historic district designation of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Claudette rallied her neighbors and made historic preservation meaningful for the people of the neighborhood. In the years since that successful campaign, Claudette has continued advocating for historic preservation, uplifting the history of traditionally underrepresented people, and centering them in the conversation about what we preserve and for whom.

Announcing the 2023 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award Winners

“The 2023 Excellence Award winners span the state, from Olean to Brooklyn,” said Preservation League President Jay DiLorenzo. “They represent how historic preservation addresses critical issues, from climate action to affordable housing, from spurring economic development to uplifting underrepresented histories. We are honored to recognize the incredible work each Award winner has done for their communities and beyond”

ICYMI: The 2022 Excellence Awards Program

On Monday, November 7, we were thrilled to announce the winners of the 2022 Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards live on Zoom. If you missed it live, or just feel like watching again, here’s a recording of the full program.

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 9, 20222022 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: Cochecton Pump House

“The response from the community was incredible,” said Cochecton Pump House Co-Owner Dave Lieber. “We had so many compliments from all ages. It was as popular with the Instagram crowd as it was with the octogenarian. It quickly became a place to meet and see a show, it created jobs, and lifted other local businesses.”

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 8, 20222022 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: El Barrio Cultural Resource Survey

“We are thrilled that the East Harlem South / El Barrio Reconnaissance-Level Historic Resource Survey has been recognized by the Preservation League with this award,” said Chris Cirillo, Executive Director/President of Ascendant Neighborhood Development (AND) and Member of Landmark East Harlem (LEH), which co-sponsored the project. “The extraordinary work of our preservation consultant, Marissa Marvelli, has raised the bar on historic resources surveys. Focusing on culture and community, the survey prioritizes people over buildings.”

Excellence Awards, GrantsKaty PeaceNovember 8, 20222022 Excellence Awards, BIPOC

Excellence Award Spotlight: Steve Jordan

When asked what he hopes his legacy will be, Steve Jordan said, “I hope my legacy will be of someone dedicated to historic preservation and its ability to lift and highlight worthy neighborhoods, districts, and properties for the betterment and education of future citizens. I hope my legacy endures through my books, magazine, and journal articles written over 40 years. And I hope I’ve passed a few skills to others who will carry on a preservation trade tradition.”

Excellence Award Spotlight: The Little Theatre

“We are honored to have the diligent and collaborative efforts of our client and the project team so recognized,” said Christopher Brandt, project architect with Bero Architecture. “It is a rare privilege to have guided the rejuvenation of such a unique and beloved building that has meant so much to so many Rochesterians over the decades.”

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 8, 2022Rochester, 2022 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: Edgemere Development

“Edgemere is honored to be recognized for its commitment to preserving important historic landmarks,” said Charlie Oster, Partner of Edgemere Development. “Every building has a story as unique as the people who will eventually live there.”

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 8, 2022Affordable Housing, Rochester, 2022 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: Church of St. Luke & St. Matthew Exterior Restoration

“We are very grateful to receive this award from the Preservation League of New York State in recognition of an exceptional team effort to initiate this project and bring it to completion,” said Rev. Andrew Durbidge, Rector of St Luke & St Matthew. “This parish church has existed on this site since 1841. The building represents the hard work and faithful contributions of many parishioners over these many years. It is a magnificent building and a tribute to past parishioners’ faithfulness in God. We carry on their legacy in caring for this landmark in Clinton Hill, to benefit future parishioners and the local community.”

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 8, 20222022 Excellence Awards, NYC, Sacred Sites

Excellence Award Spotlight: The Pavilion at Fort Ticonderoga

“The Pavilion restoration project saved a national treasure while expanding Fort Ticonderoga's capacity as a major cultural destination,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “The completed Pavilion includes expanded visitor amenities, conference center and private rental capacity, and new educational and exhibition space.”

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 8, 2022Adirondacks, 2022 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: Art's Cafe

“This project has meant so much to Springville,” said Martin Timm, Springville Center for the Arts Board President. “This award celebrates the many years our team, along with so many dedicated volunteers, have contributed to preserving this piece of our history.”

Excellence Awards, People Saving PlacesKaty PeaceNovember 8, 20222022 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: Opendore

“What once seemed like a lost treasure has become a wonderful community asset,” said Guy Garnsey, President of Howland Stone Store Museum and project manager. “The vision of those who conceived the building’s restoration and the enormous volunteer effort in management and construction labor has been extraordinary.”

Excellence Awards, People Saving PlacesKaty PeaceNovember 8, 2022Finger Lakes, 2022 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: Gowanda Hollywood Theater

“Flynn Battaglia Architects has been very proud to be a part of this important community effort,” said Nancy Redeye, Senior Project Manager at Flynn Battaglia. “A small town, cultural asset has been brought back to life after 14 years of committed efforts by Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater organization and the preservation design team, to provide continued use by the Southern Tier region, as its founder originally intended almost 100 years ago.”

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 8, 20222022 Excellence Awards

Announcing the 2022 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award Winners

New York is a big state, and this year’s winners show us that great preservation work is happening all over.

Take a Tour of Universal Preservation Hall

For one of our final site visits of 2021, we drove up to Saratoga Springs to see the Excellence Award-winning Universal Preservation Hall for ourselves. UPH Director Teddy Foster and LTRW Architect Mark Thaler showed us around — and we took some video so you can check it out too!

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceJanuary 7, 20222021 Excellence Awards

Tour Great Camp Santanoni with Steven Engelhart

If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Great Camp Santanoni, we’ll let this video with Steven convince you to start planning your trip!

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 18, 20212021 Excellence Awards, Adirondacks

A Few Words About Steven Engelhart, A Great Leader and Mentor

In this guest blog post, Adirondack Architectural Heritage Education Programs Director Nolan Cool shares some thoughts on his colleague and mentor Steven Engelhart. Steven is one of this year’s Excellence in Historic Preservation Award winners and will be retiring from AARCH at the end of 2021.

ICYMI: The 2021 Excellence Awards Program

For the second year, the League brought our Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards online. Our 10 honorees were announced during a Zoom livestream on Tuesday, November 16. League President Jay DiLorenzo, League Board Chair Frank Sanchis, and League Board Member/Awards Committee Chair Charlotte Worthy hosted the program, which you can watch below if you missed it live!

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 18, 20212021 Excellence Awards

Excellence Award Spotlight: Central Presbyterian Church

What began as a triage approach to repairs ultimately became a comprehensive restoration effort.

Excellence AwardsKaty PeaceNovember 17, 20212021 Excellence Awards, NYC, Houses of Worship

Excellence Award Spotlight: @syracusehistory

“I’m thankful for all those who have trusted me with their stories and those who have opened their doors to my following – allowing access into places we would never see otherwise,” said David Haas. “With an engaged following whose love for Syracuse matches mine, I can truly say we are making a difference.”

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Celebrating 50 years // 1974-2024