Announcing the 2022 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award Winners
This annual award from the Preservation League of NYS recognizes the best in the field of historic preservation
Since 1984, the League's annual Excellence Awards program has allowed us to shine a light on the people who are using historic preservation to make all our lives better —through exemplary restoration projects, indispensable publications, individual action, and organizational distinction.
For more about all of this year’s winners, please click here.
2022 Awardees
Gowanda Hollywood Theater | Gowanda, Cattaraugus County | Press Release
Vacant for decades and badly deteriorated, this historic theater was brought back to life over the course of 14 years thanks to the dedication of community volunteers. Guided by project architect Flynn Battaglia, the restored Hollywood Theater is once again a community anchor — and a potential major economic driver for the small town of Gowanda.
Opendore Restoration | Sherwood, Cayuga County | Press Release
Opendore had stood vacant for three decades before it was purchased by the Howland Stone Store Museum in 2008 for back taxes, saving it from certain demolition. Originally built in 1837, the historic home of William, Hannah, and Isabel Howland, national leaders in the women's suffrage movement, is an important contributing property to the Sherwood Equal Rights Historic District.
Art’s Cafe | Springville, Erie County | Press Release
A collapsed building, rescued by a group of passionate citizens—this is the home of Art's Café in Springville. Three floors, steeped in history, feature an artisan bakery and café with a connected arts workshop, performance venue, fully accessible green roof, and artist residences. Led by the nonprofit Springville Center for the Arts, the effort to save this building also saved the cohesive streetscape of downtown Springville.
Photo credit: Anna Wesolowska
The Pavilion at Fort Ticonderoga | Ticonderoga, Essex County | Press Release
A later addition to the sprawling Fort Ticonderoga historic site, the Pavilion was deemed expendable after falling into disrepair. Thankfully, new leadership at Fort Ticonderoga recognized the potential of the 1826-building to become an integral part of the visitor experience, bolstering the offerings of Fort Ticonderoga for visitors now and in the future. The thorough restoration was led by project architect John G. Waite Associates, Architects.
The Church of St. Luke & St. Matthew Exterior Restoration | Brooklyn, Kings County | Press Release
A major undertaking for a small congregation, the exterior restoration of this Cobble Hill landmark was made possible thanks to New York City’s 74-711 Special Permit process. By selling some of their air rights, the parish has ensured their 1888 church will continue to exist as a beacon to their community for many years to come. The restoration work was led by project architect Li/Saltzman Architects.
Edgemere Development | Rochester, Monroe County | Press Release
Edgemere has been tackling challenging adaptive reuse projects for over 20 years. In addition to new development, the rehabilitation of historic properties is integral to their work, often becoming much-needed affordable housing. Since its founding in 2000, Edgemere has received over $83 million in State and Federal Historic Tax Credits on 19 projects. Deteriorating structures are seen as creative challenges rather than project hindrances.
Rehabilitation of the Little Theatre | Rochester, Monroe County | Press Release
America’s oldest art house cinema has been brought firmly into the 21st Century thanks to a thoughtful rehabilitation led by Bero Architecture. The iconic Art Deco aesthetic has been restored and enhanced, with upgrades to make the space more functional for contemporary audiences — including a seamless connection to the theatre’s additional screens behind the original 1929 building.
Steve Jordan | Rochester, Monroe County | Press Release
A leader in the preservation field for over 30 years, Steve Jordan has become one of the most important voices for the preservation and restoration of wood windows. He has mentored many fellow tradespeople and shared his expertise through countless workshops. His books, The Window Sash Bible: A Guide to Maintaining and Restoring Old Wood Windows and Storm Windows: A Comprehensive Guide to Wood, Wood Combination, Aluminum, and Interior Storm Windows are indispensable resources, highly regarded in the window restoration and preservation communities throughout the nation.
East Harlem South / El Barrio Reconnaissance-Level Historic Resource Survey | Manhattan, New York County | Press Release
Co-sponsored by Ascendant Neighborhood Development and Landmark East Harlem, this survey provides a new way of thinking about Cultural Resource Surveys. Written by Historic Preservation Specialist Marissa Marvelli, the El Barrio Survey is driven by pertinent social themes rather than architectural expression, providing a more holistic look at the significance of the neighborhood. The East Harlem South / El Barrio Reconnaissance-Level Historic Resource Survey was funded in part by a 2021 NYS Council on the Arts-funded Preserve New York grant from the Preservation League of NYS.
Cochecton Pump House | Cochecton, Sullivan County | Press Release
The Cochecton Pump House, built in 1881, sat decaying along the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreation River for decades. Saved as a stabilized ruin in 2021, the revitalized Cochecton Pump House keeps the history alive in a thoroughly unique restaurant, bar, and open-air event space. This historic property could never have been “restored” in a traditional sense. But by being stabilized, it has found new life and is once again an asset to the community.
Recipients of the Excellence Award represent the very best of what the League stands for and supports in historic preservation. They exemplify best practices in the field and demonstrate how preservation is integral to building stronger neighborhoods, boosting local economies, tackling the affordable housing crisis, mitigating climate change, opening our eyes to overlooked history, and saving the places that are special to all of us. Our shared cultural heritage grounds us and unites us. The Excellence Awards celebrate those who work so hard to protect that shared heritage.
The 2022 Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards were sponsored in part by Mr. Robert A.M. Stern, FAIA | Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP.