FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          April 12 , 2007

                                                                                                  
Contact:                                              Morgan Devlin                                 

                                                          Newport Restoration Foundation         

                                                          401-849-7300 x14                           

                                                          morgan@newportrestoration.org       

 

First Annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards

 

(Newport, RI) — The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF), in cooperation with the City of Newport, is initiating annual awards to celebrate local excellence in historic preservation. “Our goal is to recognize those who are doing outstanding preservation work here in the community and to encourage others to join the effort,” explained Pieter N. Roos, NRF’s executive director, in announcing the awards.

The Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards will offer an opportunity for private preservationists, non-profit organizations, city government, and local businesses to come together to share their preservation knowledge.  Shantia Anderheggen, Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Newport, said, “We are delighted to partner with the Newport Restoration Foundation, an organization that has played a vital role in preserving Newport's architectural heritage.  We hope that this awards program will bring together other key players in the community to collaborate and build appreciation for the benefits of preservation in a historic community such as Newport.”

Three or four award recipients will be chosen from such categories as craftsmanship, mini-project, major project, advocacy, landscape, streetscape, and environmentally-conscious building.  Highlighting the awards will be recognition of one outstanding citizen, honored with a distinguished steward award for commitment to preservation.  Recipients will be chosen by a committee comprised of representatives from the City , the NRF, and individuals involved in historic  preservation at the local, state and national levels.  For further details or to download a nomination form, please visit www.newportrestoration.org or email awards@newportrestoration.org. Nominations will be accepted through June 1, 2007. 

Award winners will be announced at a public event at City Hall in September 2007.  Award winners will also be formally recognized at a gala fundraising celebration at Rough Point on September 14 for the Doris Duke Preservation Grant program, which supports preservation projects by local civic and non-profit organizations.

 

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