NH Preservation Alliance recognized eleven Preservation Achievement Awards

CONCORD — Nine rescue, rehabilitation, and revitalization projects and two outstanding leaders of the preservation movement were honored in the NH Preservation Alliance’s annual awards on May 3. The 2022 slate includes the preservation of rare and iconic properties, stewardship of community assets and gathering places, and community development successes.

Award winners include:

The Belknap Economic Development Commission and City of Laconia for the outstanding revitalization and rehabilitation of the Colonial Theatre Block. The $14.4 million redevelopment project revived a community performing space, four commercial storefronts, and new apartments in the heart of downtown Laconia.

The Town of Bradford for restoring and rehabilitating the Bement Covered Bridge. This award recognizes the commitment of the small town of Bradford, population 1,650, to save a rare resource, develop a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, and implement creative engineering solutions to meet 21st century needs.

The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness for rehabilitating 10 Green Street for apartments to house people exiting homelessness. Enhancing the character and features of a notable property not only adds significant value to the community but to the lives of some of its most vulnerable residents, said reviewers.

The Woman’s Club of Concord for rehabilitation and stewardship of the Chamberlin House. This award recognizes the work of a small, highly committed Board of Directors who revived the Queen Anne style home that serves as their headquarters and provides housing.

The Lower Gilmanton Community Club and Gilmanton School for rehabilitating the Kelly Corner School in a five-year, volunteer-led effort to save and repurpose Gilmanton's last remaining publicly owned one-room schoolhouse.

The Northern Forest Center for revitalizing and rehabilitating the Parker J. Noyes Block, Lancaster. The $3.2 million rehabilitation of this 11,000 square foot building into six market rate apartments and first floor retail use is an outstanding example of redevelopment in a rural community. This project has attracted statewide acclaim and has already inspired three other Main Street projects.

The Mill Hollow Heritage Association for revitalizing and rehabilitating Chase’s Mill in Alstead. This impressive venture has brought an endangered historic mill building back to life and linked its heritage with future educational and community development ventures in a model that the Preservation Alliance hopes others might emulate. Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award for Outstanding Preservation Planning, Education and Advocacy.

The Town of Newport for the Newport Opera and Courthouse Restoration. Comprehensive work included a new roof, masonry repairs, restored clock tower, clock, and stained-glass windows as well as a new opera house floor with sound attenuation because the stage sits directly above the judge’s bench.

The Pulaski Monument Committee and City of Manchester for restoring the Casimir Pulaski Monument. This award recognizes the high-quality preservation efforts and stewardship of the monument to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish nobleman and heroic cavalry officer who volunteered to serve in the American Revolution and became known as “the Father of the American Cavalry.”

Two outstanding preservation leaders with extensive influence also were recognized:

John Schnitzler, for his knowledge, skilled craftsmanship and preservation impact on Seacoast historic buildings including those at Strawbery Banke, other museum-quality landmarks, and private residences, and for his role as a teacher of preservation forensics and techniques.

Rick Geddes, for his skills, generosity and breadth of experience in moving historic buildings, including the Epsom Meeting House and the 200-ton Gale School in Belmont. This award honors his career-long record of accomplishment as well as his can-do attitude, problem-solving skills, and generous commitment to community-based preservation efforts.