Preservation Merit Awards

2022 Preservation Merit Awards

Call for Nominations!

Since 1976, Historic Albany Foundation has given annual awards for projects, individuals and organizations that demonstrate an excellence in and a commitment to preservation. We are thrilled to recognize these individuals and groups for their strong commitment to Albany’s historic architecture, often in the face of serious challenges. 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. You’re proud of the projects you pour your blood, sweat and tears into and so are we. We want to recognize those efforts - it’s people like you that truly preserve our historic city, one building at a time.

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. All projects must be within Albany County and fully complete by the application deadline. Self-nominations are accepted. Lifetime Achievement Awards, Certificates of Recognition and Preservation Leadership Awards are awarded at Historic Albany’s discretion.

How to Nominate

To nominate your labor of love or someone else’s, please click on the link to download the nomination form and email your completed form with photos to cmacri@historic-albany.org.

Nominations must be emailed to cmacri@historic-albany.org by Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at midnight and must include all supporting materials. Nominations are reviewed and awards determined by Historic Albany’s Preservation/Advocacy Committee. Not every category may have an award each year.

Award Categories

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 and 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 deliberately chose to use historic building materials and techniques, often more time-consuming/labour-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 acknowledge 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 Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the long-term efforts of someone who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany in general. Often having been involved in multiple preservation efforts through in-kind or pro-bono services, professional skills, leadership or 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 deeply 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.
*Historic Albany does not accept nominations for the Lifetime Achievement, Katherine Onufer, and Architectural Parts Warehouse Awards and gives this award at the Foundation’s discretion.

Past Preservation Merit Awardees

Click images to see detailed images of past Preservation Merit Award winning projects, organizations and individuals.

2021

2020

2017

2014

2011

2019

2016

2013

2010

2018

2015

2012

2009

The Environmental Benefits of Preservation

How Does Preservation Help the Environment? 

When it comes to being environmentally friendly, being preservation-minded is a large step in the right direction. By preserving existing materials (everything from the foundation to the floor and everything in between!) you are helping to save the planet in two ways:

1) Preventing Debris into Landfills 

Did you know that debris from demolitions makes up around 24 percent of waste in landfills! Historic Albany Foundation tries to save as much as we can (see info about our Parts Warehouse below) but unfortunately, our Warehouse isn’t big enough for houses (yet!).  Every time a building is demolished all of the materials that kept it standing are lost forever, and 99% of the time are taken to the dump. Not only are we losing valuable architecture, history, and a sense of place - all of the bricks, pipes, windows, siding, and doors, but are also sent to the already taxed landfills to rot. 

2) No Need for New 

Preservation also helps to conserve energy as no new material has to be made. Think about how much energy goes into making a house. Take wood for example- it needs to be grown, cut, transported, treated, transported again, etc. Now times that by how many ‘new’ things a house will need to be habitable. Everything in a new house has an impossibly large carbon footprint in comparison to something that already exists. 

Our warehouse full of salvaged items

You’ve probably heard the famous phrase “the greenest building is the one already built” and we couldn’t agree more! Learn about Historic Albany’s commitment to being greener below: 

Tool Lending Library

The Tool Lending Library will be launched this summer at our Warehouse, 89 Lexington Avenue Albany NY. But why did we want to start this program?  Libraries of ‘things’ have been growing in popularity as an antidote to waste, the excess of consumerism, and the issue of ongoing inequality. For a minimal annual fee of $20, all members will be able to borrow items as and when they need them. Tools are often expensive and for many people do not represent a meaningful investment, in that they may only be used a handful of times, are for one project, or are only used at certain times of the year. The Tool Library will not only promote a sharing economy but will also empower the residents of the Capital Region by showing them how to use the tools.  

A collection of single use tools that have been donated to our tool library

In short, our aim for the Tool Library is to:

> Provide tools to make home maintenance and preservation more accessible to all 

> Empower individuals by teaching them skills 

> Create an active sharing economy and community

> Help the environment

Single Function Tools
Oftentimes a single function tool is necessary for a project, only for it to no longer serve a purpose afterward. This causes an abundance of waste as the tool is typically discarded or sits in the garage year-round. Single function tools require a great deal of energy and resources to make and then can be discarded and end up in landfills. Thanks to the Tool Lending Library these tools can be donated, rather than them ending up in the trash, so someone else can borrow them.  

The Tool Lending Library is a great way to save money and help preserve the environment by avoiding overproduction and creating a sharing economy! 

Warehouse

 Historic Albany Foundation’s ever-popular Parts Warehouse is a physical embodiment of our commitment to preservation and the environment. At the Warehouse, salvaged items such as bathtubs, windows, doors, and furniture are available for purchase. When someone is in search of something for their home/new project, the Warehouse provides them with an environmentally safer option than purchasing a brand new item. This adds historic character to your home, has a smaller carbon footprint, and members even get a 20% discount on all items! It also negates the need for the production of a new product.

The team at the Warehouse operates completely on donations and will even pick items up to save them from the landfill! So next time you’re thinking about throwing out an old door, contact us and see if we can take it.  This helps to end the cycle of mass production and the accumulation of items in landfills. 

Want to find out more about any of the above? Contact Kim Parker kparker@historic-albany.org or call 5184650876 X110

a beautiful sink that was donated to the warehouse

#WhereinAlbany - 21 Elk Street

This week's #WhereinAlbany is the beautiful 21 Elk Street! This property was originally built in 1845 as a residence for Henry C. Wheaton, a lawyer who worked for the United States Supreme Court and who later was the United States minister for Denmark and Prussia. Sometime between 1908 and 1932, the building was turned into apartments. In 1973 it was owned by a Mr. Ted Yund who turned the lower portion into a restaurant that later became 21 Elk Street Cafe. The building faces Lafayette Park, a historic plot of land in Albany that houses the State Capitol building. Like several other mid-19th-century historic buildings in the area, it contains gothic decorative elements. The Tudor archway framing the door and the Tudor drip molds surrounding the windows make it a pair with #17. 

17 Elk Street was also built for residential use for Henry C. Wheaton in 1845. However, in 1851 the building was bought by John V. L. Pruyn,a prominent lawyer at the time. Pruyn and his wife added a large dining room and a pantry that overlooked the neighboring garden. By 1973 the building had been made into law offices and the first floor had been completely remodeled. 

Feast 2022

If it’s spring, it’s time for Historic Albany Foundation to start planning for Feast, and as a past supporter of the event, we wanted you to be the first to know our plans for this year!

This year, we are planning for a brand new iteration of our popular spring fundraiser, Feast 2022, which will be taking place in person on Saturday, June 18th at the Shaker Heritage Society (just across the road from Albany International Airport in Colonie).

How can you get involved? 

SPONSORSHIP:

HAF has sponsorship levels for every budget!  Check out the corporate benefits and promotional opportunities here. 

HONORARY COMMITTEE:

This year we are thrilled to be honoring Jack and Diana Waite who have been long-time supporters of HAF, as well as each being a leader in preservation in their respective fields.  Jack being the owner of John G. Waite Associates architect firm, and Diana being the owner of Mt. Ida Press.  Join the Honorary Committee here. 

YOUR OWN TABLE:

Have you hosted Feast in the past in your home, or have you always wanted to?  This year you can “host” your own table at the event!  To host a table of 8 or 10 people with your name on it, you just need to confirm your guests who will be assigned to sit with you for the evening.  You will also be listed as a Table Host in the evening’s program.  The more the merrier and it’s a great way to sit with your family, friends or co-workers, and introduce new people to Historic Albany Foundation and our mission.  Message us here for more details.

AUCTION:

One of the most anticipated aspects of Feast every year is our wonderful silent auction.  The auction consists of donated goods and services such as gift baskets of every variety, tickets, gift certificates, experiences, food, jewelry, artwork, handmade items, and more!  Please consider donating a unique and festive prize.  This year’s auction bidding will be online, with the prizes on view at the event.  Please go here for the auction donation form.

Please know that all proceeds from Feast 2022 help to support our mission of preserving and protecting Albany's architectural heritage. Please feel free to contact us on the below number if you would like to chat more about the event, donating, or our mission.

518 465 0876 X110 Kparker@historic-albany.org