Home » Nominations sought for 34th Annual Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Awards

Nominations sought for 34th Annual Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Awards

NOTE: Deadline for submission has been extended to Monday, April 16

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation and Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office are seeking nominations for the 34th Annual Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Awards. This signature statewide event recognizes excellence in historic building preservation, advocacy efforts and lifetime commitment to preserving Kentucky’s historic and prehistoric resources.

Nominations are accepted in three categories:

• Preservation Project Awards acknowledge outstanding examples of historic building restoration or rehabilitation, or other types of projects that have had a positive impact on preserving Kentucky’s built environment.

Service to Preservation Awards honor those who have had a positive impact or furthered historic preservation activities in their communities, including individuals, organizations, public officials, financial institutions, news media and/or volunteers.

The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award goes to the individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the cause of historic preservation in the Commonwealth. The 2011 honoree was Robert M. “Bob” Polsgrove, of Frankfort, retired president of the Kentucky Trust for Historic Preservation, which commits funds and uses hands-on approaches to save Kentucky’s endangered buildings and sites.

Nominations may be submitted via mail or in person to the Kentucky Heritage Council, 300 Washington St., Frankfort, KY 40601. Entries may also be submitted via email to [email protected] or by fax, 502-564-5820. All entries must be received or postmarked by Monday, April 16.

Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of judges representing various agencies and nonprofit organizations, including the Kentucky Heritage Council, Preservation Kentucky Inc. and members of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation. Winners will be recognized during a special ceremony in May, which is National Preservation Month. For guidelines and a nomination form, visit the Heritage Council website.

The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation was chartered in 1979 to honor Ida Lee Willis, the first executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Commission (now the Kentucky Heritage Council) and widow of former Gov. Simeon Willis. It was during Mrs. Willis’ tenure that Kentucky’s successful statewide historic preservation program was initiated.