2010 Preservation Achievement Award Winners Announced

One of the city’s most recognized ballrooms, 450 acres of sprawling suburban farmland, a historic Quaker landmark, a legendary department store converted to offices and a former office building converted to a luxury boutique hotel are among the diverse winners of the 2010 Preservation Achievement Awards, recognized annually by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
 
The Alliance will present its Grand Jury Awards to an astonishing 21 regional restoration and revitalization projects at the 17th annual Preservation Achievement Awards luncheon on May 12 at the Hyatt at the Bellevue.  Complete Grand Jury Award list here, and below. 
 
“Despite what we thought might be a difficult year for awards nominations due to the economy, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a large number of submissions. Selecting this year’s winners was again a challenge due to the increasingly high quality of historic preservation work completed in 2009,” said Alliance Executive Director John Andrew Gallery. “The 2010 awardees again exemplify the depth, breadth and range of historic preservation activity throughout the region. The winners, from large multi-million-dollar restorations to smaller residential based projects, all demonstrate excellence in the field.”
 
The Alliance also presents Special Recognition Awards at the Awards luncheon to individuals and organizations whose extraordinary accomplishments in preservation contribute to the region’s unique character and sense of place.
 
The 2010 Special Recognition Award winners:
 
Richard Moe, President (1993-2010) of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will receive the James Biddle Award, recognizing lifetime achievement in historic preservation.  As the leader of America’s vigorous and growing historic preservation movement, the National Trust is the nation’s leading nonprofit preservation organization, more than 250,000 members strong with six regional offices and 29 historic sites from coast to coast. Under Mr. Moe’s direction, the National Trust has strengthened its financial base, reaffirmed its commitment to expanding and diversifying the organized preservation movement, become an outspoken and effective advocate of controlling sprawl and encouraging smart growth, and launched innovative initiatives to demonstrate preservation’s effectiveness as a tool for community revitalization and for sustainable development.
 
Councilman Bill Green, Philadelphia City Councilman at Large, in recognition of his leadership in securing approval of an amendment to the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance to allow for the designation of historic interiors, will receive the Public Service Award.
 
Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust, for its exceptional stewardship of the historic buildings and structures located within Fairmount Park, will receive the Board of Directors Award.
 
The Whitemarsh Foundation; Edith Dixon and Ellin Miller; and Peter & Bonnie McCausland and other partners, for the preservation of the 450 acre Erdenheim Farm, will receive the Community Action Award for achievement by community organizations.
 
Lower Merion Conservancy and the Friends of La Ronda, for advocacy efforts to preserve the La Ronda estate in Lower Merion Township, will receive the Community Action Award for achievement by community organizations.
 
ARC Wheeler, in honor of Hal Wheeler and in appreciation for his dedication to historic preservation and his exceptional efforts of behalf of historic districts and landmarks in Philadelphia, will receive the Special Recognition Award.
 
 
The 2010 Grand Jury Awards, determined by a distinguished panel of historic preservation experts, are:
 
814 Pine Street   Restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Academy of Music Ballroom   Interior restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Clark Residence   Restoration
Haverford, PA
 
Fleischer Art Memorial Window Project   Restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Franklin Institute – Franklin and Jordan Hall   Restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Friends Center   Renovation
Philadelphia, PA
 
Germantown White House (Deshler-Morris House)   Restoration and adaptive use
Philadelphia, PA
 
Girard Estate Warehouses   Adaptive use
Philadelphia, PA
 
Hammers & Pen: Craft a New Nation! (An educational program by Phila. Society for the Preservation of Landmarks)   Education
Philadelphia, PA
 
Kimpton Hotel Palomar   Adaptive use
Philadelphia, PA
 
Little Abington Meeting House   Restoration and adaptive use
Jenkintown, PA
 
Mask and Wig Club   Restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Music Building at the University of Pennsylvania   Restoration and new construction
Philadelphia, PA
 
Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity House   Restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Ride! Philadelphia Bus Shelter Sign System   Education
Philadelphia, PA
 
Rittenhouse Plaza Arch and Gate   Reconstruction
Philadelphia, PA
 
Rodin Museum Meudon Monument   Restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Rose Valley Farm   Restoration
Rose Valley, PA
 
Spring Garden Community Revitalization – Phase 2   Rehabilitation and new construction
Philadelphia, PA
 
St. Luke and The Epiphany   Restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
Strawbridge & Clothier Department Store   Interior restoration
Philadelphia, PA
 
 
Information about the Preservation Awards luncheon, including sponsorship opportunities and online ticket sales, is available at http://preservationalliance.com/events/luncheon/luncheon.php.
 
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia actively promotes the appreciation, protection and revitalization of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities and landscapes. A 501c3 non-profit membership organization, the Alliance leads in setting the agenda for preservation issues of regional importance and advocates strong public preservation policies.
 
www.PreservationAlliance.com