Nominate
Connecticut Preservation Awards
Connecticut Preservation Awards honor outstanding efforts in the preservation and enhancement of historic places throughout Connecticut, with the goal of inspiring others to take similar action. You can see previous award winners here. Awards will be presented on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Nominations are due by 4:00pm on February 2, 2024. Submit your nomination at any time here for FREE.
Connecticut Preservation Awards recognize projects that:
- bring new life to distressed historic places—buildings, districts, neighborhoods, landscapes, cultural landscapes or other
- revitalize sites associated with the history of minority or overlooked communities
- make significant contributions to sustainability—environmental, economic, or social
- develop innovative new perspectives or methods to historic preservation
Projects that are primarily architectural in focus are referred to the Elizabeth Mills Brown awards, jointly presented by Preservation Connecticut and AIA Connecticut. Watch for an announcement in the summer.
Connecticut Preservation Awards are presented to:
- individuals
- commercial firms or nonprofit organizations
- public and private property owners
- municipalities or other governmental bodies
The Mimi Findlay Award for Young Preservationists recognizes:
- individuals aged 35 or younger, or groups whose members are predominantly 35 or younger;
- who have demonstrated interest, involvement, and achievement or potential achievement in the restoration, maintenance, preservation or adaptive use of historic buildings, structures, complexes, neighborhoods, communities, and cultural landscapes or landscape features in Connecticut.
General Instructions
Any individual, organization or project involving historic preservation is eligible to receive an award. Renovation or rehabilitation projects must have been completed after January 1, 2018.
Nominations may be made without the knowledge of the nominee. Nominations must be made by members of Preservation Connecticut. Become a member!
Trustees and staff of Preservation Connecticut are not eligible for Connecticut Preservation Awards during their terms of service or employment or for activities carried out during those times.
Requirements
Please submit all materials online (button below) or on a CD or thumb drive with copies of all documents in .pdf format and photographs in .jpg or .tiff format. Download the form here. Each nomination must include the following:
- A completed nomination form and release authorization.
- A very short summary, in 75 words or fewer, of the project, organization, or individual being nominated.
- A concise description, in 750 words or fewer, of the project, organization, or individual that is being nominated. The description should include the following information:
- Describe the project, including challenges, unique strategies and activities carried out, and the impact of these activities on the community. Digital copies of final reports or studies may be attached.
- Almost every preservation project is a team effort. Identify the people involved and their roles. All who made significant contributions to the success of the project should be listed. Project team lists do not count to the 750-word maximum.
- For preservation projects involving historic buildings, districts, cultural landscapes, or communities, explain the historic significance of the site and indicate if it is designated as a National Historic Landmark, in the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of Historic Places, or a Local Historic District.
- Most important, describe what makes the nominated project, person, or organization outstanding, as an achievement in itself and as a model for others.
- For Young Preservationist nominations, describe the nominee’s interest, involvement, achievements, or potential achievements in preservation. Please include a copy of the nominee’s CV.
4. At least five and not more than eight photographs illustrating the project or program. Photographs should show:
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- before and after images, including a general exterior view
- details or interiors from a variety of angles (if appropriate)
- photos showing human activity are strongly encouraged
- project site in the context of its surroundings
- for nominations of individuals or groups, include a head shot, plus photos to illustrate the work for which they are to be recognized
- For printed submissions, provide prints measuring at least 5 x 7 inches, labeled and with a credit line for publication. Prints may be printed on ordinary office paper and submitted two to a page.
- For all submissions, provide digital files in .jpg or .tiff format, on a CD or thumb drive.
- Each photograph should be a separate file, with no collages and no superimposed text.
- Photographs should measure at least 5 x 7 inches at a resolution of at least 300 dpi.
- No more than three supporting brochures or news clippings (optional) and no more than three letters of support (optional).
- Submit text materials in a Word document or PDF file, and photographs in .jpg or .tiff format.
- Submit nominations online, or mail or on a CD/flash drive to Connecticut Preservation Awards, Preservation Connecticut, 940 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut 06517.