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Preservation Awards Program

2024 Nominations now open!

The Landmark Society Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Preservation Awards program. Nominations are due by Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Please use the link below to submit a nomination (an online form and a downloadable PDF are available). 

Each fall, The Landmark Society presents awards to projects, individuals, and organizations who, through their dedication and hard work, have contributed to historic preservation in our nine-county area.

The Landmark Society’s Awards Committee presented the 2023 Preservation Awards at the Rochester Academy of Medicine on Sunday, November 12th.  Click here to read about the 2023 awardees.

Below is a list of the award categories, along with descriptions and criteria for each award. 

If you have any questions about this year’s program, please contact Becky Timmons by email at btimmons@landmarksociety.org or phone at 585-537-5962.

Barber Conable Award
Holley Gardens, at 1 Wright Street in the Village of Holley, Orleans County, received the 2021 Barber Conable Award
Barber Conable Award

Recognizes a large-scale rehabilitation of a historic building in our region completed within the last two years, possibly using the Federal Investment Tax Credit program. Old fabric should be sympathetically maintained and carefully rehabilitated. New construction, if any, should be compatible and of high authentic quality. This award was created to honor Congressman Barber Conable of Alexander, Genesee County, who supported the establishment of the Federal Investment Tax Credit Program for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings. Private residences are not eligible for this award.

Award of Merit
The Jefferson Wollensak Apartments (Wollensak Building) received a 2022 Award of Merit and is located in the City of Rochester, Monroe County
Award of Merit

Applies to projects similar to those eligible for the Barber Conable Award, but of more modest scope. The award is given for a sympathetic rehabilitation of an architecturally significant building, structure, object, or site in our nine-county region completed within the past two years. Candidacy may be enhanced if the project is historically significant or if it strengthens its neighborhood. Private residences are not eligible for this award.

Stewardship Award
The H.G. Hotchkiss Essential Oil Peppermint Museum received one of five 2021 Stewardship Awards, and is located at 95 Water Street in the Village of Lyons, Wayne County
Stewardship Award

Recognizes an individual or organization that has provided continued care of and commitment to the preservation of an architecturally and/or historically significant public property over a period of years. “Care” can include appropriate changes to the building fabric. Eligible properties include religious, educational, not-for-profit, commercial or government buildings, structures, objects, or sites.

Historic Home Award
Matthew Clingerman and Joseph O'Toole received a 2021 Historic Home Award for their home at 412 East Avenue in the Village of Newark, Wayne County
Historic Home Award

Recognizes owners of private residences for their continued care of and commitment to the preservation of an architecturally significant house over a minimum of seven (7) years. “Care” may include appropriate rehabilitation and/or sympathetic new additions according to need. Thoughtful rehabilitation/restoration of the interior and/or significant features of a historical landscape may enhance the quality of the nomination. The seven-year criteria may be waived in special circumstances as deemed appropriate by the awards committee.

Historic Landscape Award
JoEllen Tufano and Steve Schantz received a 2019 Historic Landscape Award for their Sunken Gardens at 959 Winona Boulevard in the Town of Irondequoit, Monroe County. There was no 2021 award recipient.
Historic Landscape Award

Recognizes and encourages the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and stewardship of historically significant landscapes in The Landmark Society’s nine-county region. The recipient may be either individual(s) or an organization.

Special Citation
Maureen Kingston, retired Town and Village Avon Historian received one of three 2021 Special Citations for her preservation work in the Town and Village of Avon, Livingston County
Special Citation

Provides recognition for projects that do not fit into other categories or recognizes the accomplishments in the field of historic preservation of an outstanding individual or group.

Traditional Trades
Donald and the late Lenore Cooper received one of two 2021 Traditional Trades awards for work in leaded glass in the Town of Brighton, Monroe County
Traditional Trades

Recognizes an individual working in the traditional trades for his/her exceptional knowledge of historic preservation techniques and advocacy for historic buildings. These trades include, but are not limited to: stained glass, woodworking, pipe organ building, windows, masonry, roofing, and plaster.

Paul Malo Preservation Advocacy Award
Stacy Grinsfelder received a 2022 Paul Malo Preservation Advocacy Award for her preservation advocacy work in Western New York and beyond
Paul Malo Preservation Advocacy Award

Recognizes an individual who has been an outstanding advocate for historic preservation in their community. Established in honor of the late Paul Malo, Syracuse University professor, architect, historian, award-winning author, and preservation advocate, whose passionate advocacy for New York’s historic resources extended over six decades.

Jean France Special Achievement Award
Bill Lattin, recipient of the 2021 Special Achievement Award for his work in and around the Town of Gaines, Orleans County
Jean France Special Achievement Award

Recognizes accomplishments of an individual that have occurred over a lengthy period of time. The award was recently renamed in honor of Jean R. France, Landmark Society trustee, accomplished architectural historian, passionate preservationist, community advocate, and long-time member and chair of the Preservation Awards Committee. She passed away in early 2021.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears Award
Paul and Patricia Naliwajek received a Blood, Sweat, and Tears award in 2022 for the restoration of their 1850 Italianate farmhouse in the Town of Williamson (Wayne County)
Blood, Sweat, and Tears Award

Recognizes building owners who have physically engaged in the preservation and restoration of their property through self-education and countless hours of do-it-yourself work. The work on the building does not have to be complete but should be mindful of the “Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation” and demonstrate substantial self-performed long-term care.

Small Business Award
The Avon Inn received one of five 2021 Small Business Awards, and is located at 50 East Main Street, Village of Avon, Livingston County
Small Business Award

Recognizes small businesses that occupy historic commercial buildings and have demonstrated their commitment to preservation via the care, repair, and/or long-term operation at these sites.