Nominations open for fourth annual Wolfeboro Heritage Awards

WOLFEBORO ― The Wolfeboro Heritage Commission has opened nominations for the fourth year of its Wolfeboro Heritage Awards program. The awards recognize the efforts of individuals, businesses, and organizations that have made significant, recent contributions to the preservation of buildings, neighborhoods, traditions, and other historic resources in the town.

Do readers own, or are aware of, a historic property in Wolfeboro that they feel deserves recognition? Are readers, or do they know of, someone who works to preserve the history of the town? Are readers, or do they know of, a builder or homeowner who pays special attention to maintaining historic details in their work? Any of them ― and more ― could be honored with a Wolfeboro Heritage Award.

“The awards will be given in various categories, including, but not limited to, historic building restoration and/or adaptive re-use, stewardship – repair and maintenance – of a historic building over time, and leadership or education efforts," said Dave Bolduc, Wolfeboro Heritage Commission chair. “Anyone can complete a nomination, and self-nominations also are welcome.”

Nomination forms are available on the Wolfeboro Heritage Commission’s page on the Town of Wolfeboro website. Submitters need to provide contact information for the nominee, along with a paragraph or more on why you believe the nominee should receive an award.

Please provide as much detail as possible. For example, if your nomination relates to the renovation of a building, please provide details about the history of the building and the work that has been done on it. To be considered, buildings must have been constructed prior to 1972. If possible, please include photos, especially before and after photos of a project. 

Nominations should be submitted by March 16, and can be emailed to heritagecommission@wolfeboronh.us or mailed to Wolfeboro Heritage Commission, Wolfeboro Town Hall, 84 South Main, Wolfeboro, NH, 03894.

For more information about the program, email heritagecommission@wolfeboronh.us or contact Dave Bolduc at 603-235-4415. Awards will be presented during Historic Preservation Month in May.

The 2025 Heritage Award winners included: Tonya Albee and Bob Eaton for Restoration of an important mid-century modern home, the Allen H. Albee House; Dick Eaton and the late Gorham Humphrey for revival and reuse of a downtown landmark, The Durgin Block; Perrin Long and Julie Maher-Long for sensitive additions to one of Wolfeboro’s earliest Homes, Moody Mountain Farm; Aynne and André de Beer for long-standing stewardship of a Historic, Family-Owned Cottage Colony, Clearwater Lodges; and Wolfeboro Historical Society for 100 years of preserving and sharing the history of the Town of Wolfeboro.

The 2024 honorees included: Richard and Robin Wyman for rehabilitation of a summer vacation resort, Grey Shingles Camp; the Cotton Valley Trail Committee and The Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club for innovative re-use and stewardship of a historical recreational Resource, the Cotton Valley Rail Trail; the Lakes Region Model Railroad Museum for restoration of the 1872 Wolfeboro Freight House; James Marchese for rehabilitation of a significant agricultural landmark, the barn at 29 Allen Road; and the O’Dowd and Avery families for Stewardship of a downtown landmark, the Peavey Block.

Winners of the 2023 inaugural Heritage Awards were: The Village Players for rehabilitation and creative reuse of a community gathering space; Susan Buntingvand Dr. Philip Deitsch for the preservation and reuse of a historic meeting house; Rev. Dr. Joseph Cardamone and the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Wolfeboro for upkeep and improvement of an important community landmark; Peter and Patty Cooke for adaptive reuse of a downtown commercial building, the Samuel Avery Store and Pavilion Restaurant; Ruth Sexton and Bob Norton for preservation of a significant agricultural landmark, the barn at their Cotton Mountain Farm; and Gene Denu for outstanding stewardship of Wolfeboro’s History and Culture.

The Wolfeboro Heritage Commission was created by voters in 2016 to help town government recognize, manage, and protect historical and cultural resources. The commission’s members advise and assist other local boards and commissions, conduct surveys of historic resources, educate the public on matters relating to historic preservation and historical resources, and serve as a resource for revitalization efforts.