Press Releases
Winners of the 2011 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards Announced
July 28, 2011 View more Press Releases(NEWPORT, RI) - The fifth annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards will present awards to several restoration projects and one distinguished individual for their tremendous contributions to historic preservation in Newport, Rhode Island. An awards ceremony and celebration will be held at Doris Duke's Newport home Rough Point on Friday, September 9. The Newport Restoration Foundation, founded by Doris Duke in 1968 to preserve historic homes in Newport, joined with the City of Newport in 2007 to create the awards to recognize historic preservation work in Newport. The award winners were chosen by a committee comprised of representatives from NRF, the City of Newport, and individuals involved in historic preservation at the local and state levels. Winners will also be publicly acknowledged in late August at Newport City Hall.
John G. Winslow is being honored with a Distinguished Steward Award for his long involvement and continued dedication to the field of historic preservation. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Preservation Society of Newport County, where he served as President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1977-1989. As an authority on the history of Newport, Mr. Winslow has lent his expertise to many research projects. Mohamad Farzan, founder of the NewPort Architecture, LLC and a regional director for The American Institute of Architects, collaborated with Mr. Winslow on several projects, including the 2007 AIA Guide to Newport. Mr. Farzan stated, "With his finger on the pulse of the community, John Winslow is known as a formidable force behind Newport's preservation movement. Had it not been for his steadfast commitment to preservation, many important historic buildings in Newport would have been lost to us."
Cheryl Auger and Chris Peck were chosen for their restoration of 82 Thames Street, a noteworthy example of a low-impact, partial do-it-yourself project on a modest, yet elegant 1870s multi-family dwelling. Ashley and Frank O'Keefe were selected for their remarkable adaptive reuse of the 1890s Wrentham Carriage House, designed by Richard Morris Hunt, which lay in ruin when the O'Keefe's purchased it. The International Tennis Hall of Fame was chosen for its tremendous work in preserving the Casino Theatre at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum and restoring it in a way compatible with 21st century use.
"This year's honorees represent individuals with a passion for preservation, such as Doris Duke possessed. In each of these projects, the work to bring the structure back to a usable space was significant. Whether conducting a straightforward restoration or an adaptation of the structure for modern use, the honorees showed a dedication to their project. We are delighted to recognize their contribution to Newport's historic landscape," commented Pieter N. Roos, executive director of the Newport Restoration Foundation.
All proceeds from the awards celebration benefit the Doris Duke Fund for Historic Preservation, which distributes grants to civic and non-profits organizations on Aquidneck Island and Jamestown. Administered by the NRF, these grants are generally given for bricks-and-mortar projects or project planning. The funds from the 2010 awards celebration benefited the City of Newport for restoration of the Old Stone Mill; Emmanuel Church for conservation of a wall mural; Newport Art Museum for front entry work; Newport Historical Society for repairs to Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House; Redwood Library for fence repairs; Rose Island Lighthouse for restoration of the stone bastion; St. Mary's Church in Portsmouth for slate roofing and flashing; and Trinity Church for interior painting.
Support for the 2011 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards has been provided by ArtCare, BankNewport, Chartis Private Client Group, DF Dwyer Insurance Agency, Grey Goose, Gustave White Sotheby's International Realty, Heritage Restoration, Home & Commercial Security, JT's Lumber Corp., Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Rentals Unlimited, Roskelly Inc., Slocum, Gordon & Co. and Washington Trust Company, along with many individual supporters.
The 2011 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards is a joint project of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport to celebrate achievements in local historic preservation. More information and tickets to the awards celebration are available at www.NewportRestoration.org/Preservation or by calling (401) 849-7300.
