Call for Nominations for 2026 Preservation Merit Awards!

Historic Albany Foundation loves celebrating the amazing preservation projects happening throughout Albany!

If you have a preservation project that has been finished within the last year, we want to hear all about it.

Nominations must be emailed to cmacri@historic-albany.org by Friday, May 1, 2026 at midnight

Each year, HAF recognizes the best of the best with awards honoring everything from facade facelifts to multi-million-dollar school reuse projects—and everything in between.

How do we find these incredible projects? We hear about them from you! If you’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears into restoring your home, or watched your neighbor transform their house from a sad vinyl box into the colorful Craftsman bungalow it was meant to be, submit a nomination today.

Not sure if your project qualifies? Email Cara at cmacri@historic-albany.org with any questions. All nominations must be emailed to Cara by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 30, to be considered. So don’t wait— start snapping those photos, and show us the hard work you’re proud of. We can’t wait to hear about your project and see what you’ve accomplished!

Since 1976, Historic Albany Foundation has given annual awards for projects, individuals and organizations that demonstrate excellence in and a commitment to preservation techniques and initiatives. All awardees have acted as examples of best practices for preservation within the City of Albany and surrounding Albany County. Historic Albany Foundation proudly recognizes these projects, individuals, and organizations who have demonstrated a strong commitment to Albany’s historic architecture, often in the face of serious challenges. Award winning projects exemplify the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Properties or guidelines for adaptive reuse; and have inspired other preservation efforts. We recognize a variety of projects and people each year, from large vacant building restorations to smaller projects that made the choice to repair and restore rather than gut and replace. 

Categories of Awards

Preservation Merit Award winning projects are outstanding examples of restoration, rehabilitation or adaptive reuse that inspire other preservation efforts and serve as a model for best practices. These projects often utilize incentives the New York State and Federal Rehabilitation tax credits. Most must overcome several challenges such as vacancy, severe deterioration, development or demolition pressure, or financial hardship.  

Preservation Initiative Award winning projects are commendable preservation efforts in which property owners consistently chose to use historic building materials and techniques which are often more time-consuming/labor intensive methods, or to spend more money to be true to the historic character and maintain the architectural integrity of the property.

The Stewardship Award provides recognition typically to an organization for continued efforts in maintaining and restoring a historic structure or landscape (i.e. cemetery, park conservancy) through financial, organizational or physical challenges.  

The Main Street Award gives recognition for downtown or “Main Street” revitalization efforts.  These projects “bucks the trend” of commercial activities moving to the suburbs and takes the perceived substantial risk of (re)locating in the city core or at the key Main Street locations in struggling neighborhoods. 

Certificates of Recognition acknowledges individuals, organizations or businesses who have made a noteworthy contribution to local preservation efforts.

The Sustainable Cities Award applauds the implementation of important urban planning concepts such as successful building reuse, maintaining/recreating density in downtown, and sustainable/green efforts which are not restoration or rehabilitation projects, but are clearly in line with preservation ideals and Historic Albany’s advocacy efforts.

The Katherine Onufer Young Preservationist Award recognizes the efforts of a person 40 or younger who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany in general.  

The Architectural Parts Warehouse Award recognizes an individual who is dedicated to reusing salvaged architectural parts in restoration and reuse projects. They take the time and effort required to restore, rework, and retrofit old house parts into new uses. Their dedication to retaining the charm, style and workmanship of these old pieces is to be applauded. This person is an exemplary role model for architectural restoration and the use of salvaged materials and Historic Albany Foundation commends their work in this area.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the long-term efforts of an individual who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany.

Class of 2025

Preservation Merit Awards
These projects are outstanding examples of rehabilitation or adaptive reuse that inspire other preservation efforts and serve as a model for best practices. They have overcome many challenges to be completed and include a variety of funding methods including state grants or the NY Homeowner Rehabilitation Tax Credits.   

290 & 292 Clinton Avenue, for Rehabilitation 
2 First Street, for Tax Credit Rehabilitation

Preservation Initiative Awards
These projects are commendable preservation efforts in which the owners consistently chose to use historic building materials and techniques which are often more time-consuming/labor intensive methods, or to spend more money to be true to the historic character and maintain the architectural integrity of the property. 

209 Lancaster Street, for Renovation
145 South Lake Avenue, for Tax Credit Oriel Restoration

Certificates of Recognition 
These projects have made a noteworthy contribution to local preservation efforts.

247 Lenox Avenue for Entry Restoration

Van Deusen House, 246 Van Dyke Road, Delmar, for Research & Adaptive Reuse

Katherine Onufer Young Preservationist Award 
This award recognizes the efforts of a person 40 or younger who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany in general.  

Charles Straney

Architectural Parts Warehouse Award
This award recognizes an individual who is dedicated to reusing salvaged architectural parts in restoration and reuse projects.

Samantha Sonnier

Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes the long-term efforts of an individual who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany. 

Lee Pinckney

Check back in May 2026 for the call for nominations for the Class of 2026!