Historic Preservation Awards

The Society has created the Historic Preservation Awards program in order to:

• Recognize projects that represent the appropriate standards
  in the categories of preservation, restoration and rehabilitation.
• Acknowledge individuals and groups for initiatives, services
  or commitment to preservation values.
• Create an advocacy for historic preservation through a greater
  public awareness of the built environment.
• To enhance a county wide preservation ethic in both the public
  and private sectors.

Eligibility:

All buildings and structures in Erie County are eligible for Preservation Awards, including commercial, residential, industrial, public, religious and/or other properties. Buildings and structures must be at least 40 years old or of an endangered archetype. They need not qualify for “National Register” listing, but must be of recognized historical or architectural value in terms of format, detail and/or presence in the community. Interior and/or exterior work is eligible. Construction or enhancement projects must have been completed within the past five years.

Forms of Recognition:

All award recipients will receive a certificate suitably framed.

Definitions:

Preservation: Applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity and materials of a historic property through on-going maintenance or repair of historic materials and feature rather than replacement or new construction.

Restoration: Accurately depicting the historic form, features and character of a property by repair, removal of inappropriate features and reconstruction of features accurate to a particular period of time.

Rehabilitation: Providing a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving features of historical value.

Historic Preservation Award Categories

Preservation Stewardship

The Preservation Stewardship Award is given to an individual or group who has performed long-term care of a property that has been sensitive to the historic character and fabric of a significant historic or architectural resource.
2008 Recipient(s):
Thomas Butler for his ongoing support at the Battles Museums of Rural Life.

Preservation Initiative

The Preservation Initiative Award recognizes a non-construction activity, service or commitment promoting historic preservation including government support, media coverage, corporate leadership, publications, education programs, individual achievement, etc.
2008 Recipient(s):
Not Awarded

Rehabilitation or Restoration Construction Project Award

The Construction Project Award recognizes recent restoration/rehabilitation or substantial restoration/rehabilitation of a significant historic or architectural resource (see definitions for the difference between restoration and rehabilitation).

2008 Recipient(s):
Rehabilitation Award - George Lyons and Tom Calicchio for their work at Erie Window Glass building at 1229 State Street.

Restoration Award - The Dobler Hose Fire Truck Restoration Project for their restoration of Engine #1, an antique 1942 fire truck.

Enhancement Project Award

The Enhancement Project Award recognizes historically appropriate use of colors, signs, awnings and other exterior amenities which are sensitive to the historic character and fabric of the building; and restoration and rehabilitation of individual exterior elements in a manner sensitive to the historic character and fabric of the building.
2008 Recipient(s):
Not Awarded