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Historic Sites:
Outstanding Achievements in Historic Preservation to be Honored
The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) is pleased to announce that 9 individuals and organizations have been named as recipients of the State Historic Preservation Officer’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation. The awards program, in its 19th year, recognizes persons, organizations, and projects that have achieved distinction in the field of historic preservation in Washington. This awards program provides Washington State Historic Preservation Officer, Dr. Allyson Brooks, the opportunity to recognize persons, organizations, and projects that have achieved distinction in the field of historic preservation during National Historic Preservation Month in May.
This year’s winners exemplify the spirit, motivation, and determination necessary to preserve our state’s heritage for future generations. Recognized for their special achievements is the international effort of Archaeologists Dr. Randall Schalk (Seattle); Dr. Michael Wilson (New Westminster, BC); and Stephen Kenady (Sedro-Woolley). It was through the diligence of these individuals, that we now have a clearer picture of what life in the Pacific Northwest was like during the retreat of the last ice-age. Discover magazine recognized their findings as one of the most important scientific discoveries of 2008.
Meanwhile, a group of local preservationists are making a difference in the small Eastern Washington community of Dayton. Members of the Dayton Historical Depot Society are recognized for their dedication and hard work restoring a charming 1880 Victorian residence bequeathed to the society by the Boldman family in 1999. In addition to preserving the house itself, society members have dedicated themselves to documenting and cataloguing the vast collection of heirlooms left by the Boldman estate.
Another group with a long-standing effort of preservation stewardship is the Blue Mouse Theater Associates in Tacoma. A group of more than a dozen friends and neighbors, living in Tacoma’s Proctor neighborhood, put up their own money, talents, and elbow grease to keep the Blue Mouse Theater alive and well, when so many other single-screen community theaters have long since closed. The Blue Mouse Theater was first built during the silent movie era and is believed to be longest-continuously operating movie theater in the state. Tacoma is well-represented in this year’s awards. The second winner from there is TV-Tacoma, the local community broadcast channel. To highlight the city’s rich heritage and architectural landmarks, TV-Tacoma has produced nearly two-dozen feature length historical programs; many of these with an appreciation for preserving local landmarks such as the colorful Java Jive.
The career of US Army Corps of Engineers Historic Architect, Horace Foxall Jr. of Seattle will be recognized at this year’s awards. Foxall’s contributions to historic preservation are significant nationally as well as locally. Trained as an Architectural planner, Foxall is honored upon his retirement of over thirty years of service with the US Army Corps of Engineers. At the Corps, Foxall has compiled a distinguished career as leader of the National Center of Expertise for the Preservation of Historic Structures and Buildings. In addition to his role at the center, he is nationally recognized for his skill in preservation technology and training.
In the Education category, kudos are in order for the Everett Public Library and Evergreen Cemetery, in Everett. Through painstaking research the two have developed an innovative and interesting interpretive program that allows visitors to Everett’s Evergreen Cemetery to take a pod-cast journey of the grounds while learning the history of persons who were significant to Everett’s past.
In the building rehabilitation category, 2009 award winners fill the spectrum from urban to rural to ecclesiastic. The first award winner in this category belongs to the magnificent Arctic Club Hotel in Seattle. Built upon the fortunes of the city’s elite, the one time office building, known for its whimsical terra cotta walrus heads, has been adaptively reused to become a splendid destination boutique hotel.
It has become increasingly difficult for religious congregations to cope with expenses associated with maintaining their historic churches. That did not stop the devoted parishioners of Saint James Catholic Church in Vancouver, who raised the necessary funds to restore this 1884 Gothic masterpiece. As a result of their efforts, the edifice has been brought back to its original splendor. This amazing congregation, of less than a thousand, pulled off a miraculous effort to restore the cathedral at the heart of Vancouver.
In north central Washington’s Okanogan region is the Olson-Long Ranch near Conconnully. Recently, the Long family, nominated their historic barn to the Washington Heritage Barn register. The Long’s did not stop there but have continued their preservation work by rehabilitating the rustic barn using the same techniques that ranchers used 100-years ago. In rescuing the barn for future generations, the Long family completely re-built the log and stone crib foundation walls.
The efforts of these preservationists epitomize the spirit that can still be seen in the work of the late Valerie Sivinski, a Tacoma-area architect of noteworthy skill who became Washington State’s First Capitol Conservator. Sivinski’s lifework is celebrated in the restorations that she performed (not only in every corner of Washington State) but as far away as New Mexico, Washington, D.C. and London.
Award recipients will be recognized during a special ceremony held in the Legislative Building on the historic State Capitol Campus, on May 5, 2009. State Historic Preservation Officer, Dr. Allyson Brooks will preside over the awards ceremony. The awards coincide with National Historic Preservation Month, an annual celebration occurring every May.
For information about past award winners for the last 10 years click here. For a look at previous Preservation Month Posters click here. If you would like to learn more about the awards, contact Russell Holter at (360)586-3533 or email Russell.Holter@dahp.wa.gov
2009 SHPO Award Recipients
- Award PowerPoint Presentation
- Award Speech given by Dr. Brooks
- Award Ceremony Images (courtesy of Everett Public Library)
Valerie Sivinski Award for Outstanding Rehabilitation
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Arctic Club Hotel Seattle |
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Saint James Catholic Church Vancouver |
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Olson Long Ranch Conconnully |
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Resource Stewardship
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Dayton Historical Depot Society Dayton |
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Blue Mouse Theater Associates Tacoma |
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Career Achievement
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Horace Foxall Jr. Seattle |
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Dr. Randall Shalk, Dr. Michael Wilson and Stephen Kenady Various |
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Media Award |
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TV Tacoma Tacoma |
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Planning |
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Not Awarded |
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Education |
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Everett Public Library and Evergreen Cemetery Everett |
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Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
1063 South Capitol Way, Suite 106
Olympia WA 98501
Phone: 360-586-3065
Fax: 360-586-3067