2009 Connecticut Preservation Awards

The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation presented its annual Connecticut Preservation Awards on Monday, April 27, recognizing outstanding preservation projects and people who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Connecticut’s historic buildings and places.

This year, awards went to:

The Harlan H. Griswold Award in Historic Preservation

To Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven and the Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (NINA), of Hartford. In a year marked by economic troubles it is more than appropriate to honor these two organizations that are making a real difference in urban neighborhoods by rehabilitating historic houses for low- and moderate-income owners.

 Ken Johnson of NINA, Jim Paley of NHS, Helen Higgins of CT Trust and Karen Senich of CCT

During its 30-year history, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven has developed 385 units of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families (including both new construction and complete rehabilitation). The organization’s latest project is Fairlawn Manor, a cluster of 12 houses—all listed on the State Register of Historic Places—that had been abandoned by their previous owner. Each is now being restored to historic standards and specifications.

Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance of Hartford was founded in 2003 by six major institutions in the Asylum Hill neighborhood to foster community development by enhancing public safety, homeownership, economic development and education throughout the neighborhood, which is a National Register district. In addition to rehabbing abandoned or neglected properties for sale, NINA works with existing homeowners to improve their properties.

Both NHS and NINA firmly believe that historic architecture and quality construction are crucial to creating stable and liveable communities. To achieve their goals, they make extensive use of historic rehabilitation tax credits, a program whose future is in doubt as the General Assembly grapples with projected budget shortfalls. However, the work of these organizations demonstrates that the tax credits can be an effective stimulus to neighborhood revitalization and renovations. 

The Harlan Griswold Award, presented jointly by the Connecticut Trust and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, recognizes those individuals, corporations or organizations whose activities exemplify Harlan Griswold’s leadership, vision and selfless dedication to preserving Connecticut’s heritage and who by deed or example have made our state a better place for all of its citizens.

Connecticut Preservation Awards: Awards of Merit

To Trinity College, Hartford, for the restoration and renovation of the Long Walk (1881), the first three buildings on the college’s current campus. Trinity College has shown thought, care, and sensitivity in introducing programmatic and infrastructure upgrades while meticulously restoring these landmark High Victorian Gothic buildings.

To John and Diana Herzog and Gulick & Spradlin LLC, restoration contractors, for the rescue and restoration of the David Field house (c.1720), Madison. Despite its fine architecture and connections to prominent citizens, this early saltbox was threatened with demolition for a development of McMansions. Happily, it has been returned to usefulness, with restored exterior and interior and a harmonious new addition.

To Jim & Martha Alexander, for the restoration and renovation of the Elizabeth Hooker house, New Haven (1914). This elegant house, designed by t he New York firm of Delano and Aldrich easily could have been subjected to flashy “improvements” that wiped out much, if not all, its historic character. Instead, the Alexanders managed to update the house, and its landscape, while maintaining its appearance and character.

To Kim and Mike Ronemus, for the rescue, restoration and renovation of 113 Cross Highway, Westport. In what some call Connecticut’s teardown capital, this Greek Revival house dodged the bulldozers, thanks to neighbors who bought and restored it. Also restored on the property was Westport’s oldest gas station. The project had a broader legacy, as it inspired a revision of Westport’s zoning laws to encourage the preservation of historic outbuildings.

Connecticut Preservation Awards: Commendations
To Greenwich Adult Day Care, for the restoration and adaptive re-use of the former N.Y.N.H. & H. Railroad pump station, Cos Cob (1927), as River House.

To the University of Hartford Hartt School of Music, the restoration and adaptive re-use of the former Thomas Cadillac dealership (1928), in Hartford, as the Handel Performing Arts Center.

The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit, tax-exempt membership organization established by special act of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1975. The mission of the Trust is to preserve and protect Connecticut’s historically significant places. 

For more information, contact Christopher Wigren: (203) 562-6312 or cwigren@cttrust.org.