Dozen Recipients of Buffalo Niagara Preservation Awards Announced
The Preservation Buffalo Niagara 2024 Awards have officially recognized a dozen recipients for their outstanding contributions to preservation efforts across the Buffalo Niagara region. These awards celebrate significant achievements in preserving the rich heritage and built environment of the area.
Highlighting Beacon Projects and Lifetime Achievements
One notable conservation effort includes the ‘Second Coming’ house in Niagara Falls, which has been meticulously conserved and donated. Liesl Testwuide, the art preservation manager at the Kohler Foundation, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “In that neighborhood and the entire City of Niagara Falls it’s a beloved site and a beacon of hope.”
In a special acknowledgment of individual contribution to the field, Ed Healy, who recently retired as vice president of marketing at Visit Buffalo Niagara, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor celebrated at the Buffalo History Museum.
Award-Winning Efforts Across Various Categories
The award recipients span a range of categories, recognizing efforts from neighborhood preservation to innovative leadership. Among the honorees:
- Scott Glasgow was honored with the Neighborhood Preservation Award for his dedication to the Black Rock neighborhood.
- The Winspear Extension Historic District in University Heights received the Neighborhood Preservation Award for its commendable preservation efforts.
- Nicole Gerber and Dave Reilly were awarded the Preservation Leadership Award for their work on preserving the 19th-century Alt Homestead in Grand Island.
- Rollin Hellner was distinguished with the Emerging Preservation Leader Award for his efforts in preserving and renovating several historic buildings in Western New York.
- WGRZ-TV’s “Daybreak” co-anchor Pete Gallivan earned the Preservation in Media Award for his weekly series “Unknown Stories of Western New York,” bringing attention to lesser-known historic tales.
- The Buffalo Mass Mob and The Women of Niagara both received the Preservation Advocacy Award for Erie and Niagara County, respectively, for their efforts in raising awareness about historical sites and local heritage.
- ReUse Action, a dedicated salvage non-profit on the East Side, and the Second Coming House by Prophet Isaiah Robertson in Niagara County were both recognized with the Preservation Craft Award for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to preservation.
- The prestigious Commercial Preservation Award was bestowed upon the Charles W. Goodyear Mansion and Residences for its outstanding contribution to commercial preservation.
- Lastly, Chris and Maria Podosek were honored with the Residential Restoration Award for their diligent restoration of their 1922 home on Norwalk Avenue, exemplifying the difference individual homeowners can make in the preservation landscape.
These awards not only highlight the dynamic preservation landscape in Buffalo Niagara but also celebrate the dedication of individuals and organizations committed to conserving the region’s heritage. The varied projects and efforts recognized this year demonstrate a wide range of passion, commitment, and creativity driving preservation forward in the area.
