Press Releases
Doris Duke Preservation Awards Recognize Significant Additions to Local Streetscapes
August 25, 2009 View more Press Releases
The third annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards will recognize two projects which have contributed to the historic streetscapes of Newport. Clint and Kelly Clemens have been chosen for their faithful reconstruction of Hose Station 8, a historic firehouse in the Historic Hill neighborhood. The International Yacht Restoration School (IRYS) was selected for its masterful adaptive reuse of the historic industrial Aquidneck Mill on Lower Thames Street. "Both projects demonstrate how the preservation of one building can contribute greatly to the streetscape, whether by maintaining (through identical reconstruction) its historic character, as in the Redwood Hose 8 firehouse, or by enhancing the aesthetics of a major thoroughfare with façade and landscaping improvements, as demonstrated by IYRS," commented Pieter N. Roos, executive director of the Newport Restoration Foundation.
Originally planned as a restoration project, the Hose Station 8 project turned out to be a much larger undertaking. Halfway through restoration work, it was determined that the original beach-sand mortar securing the brick sidewalls had deteriorated to the point of structural unsoundness requiring demolition. The Clemens then made the remarkable decision to reconstruct the entire building using the original bricks, faithfully replicating the building's historic exterior appearance to within inches of the original. The firehouse reconstruction also provided the opportunity to use "green" and sustainable materials and technologies, allowing the building to function efficiently into the future.
The International Yacht Restoration School's transformation of Aquidneck Mill is an outstanding example of how viable commercial space can be created within a historic space while at the same time maintaining an historic building's essential character. The mill building, which now accommodates several businesses, also serves as the IYRS visitor's center and library. Preserving both the interior and exterior of such a prominent building while also successfully incorporating new and varied uses, will have significant positive impact on both the Lower Thames neighborhood and the city at large.
The award recipients were chosen by a committee comprised of representatives from the City, the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF), and individuals involved in historic preservation at the local, state and national levels. One committee member noted that, "This year's award recipients are not only preserving important historic architecture, but are also critical community partners who are helping to improve our city at a vital time in its history."
Recipients will be publicly acknowledged in early September at City Hall. Award recipients will also be honored in a ceremony and celebration on September 18 at Doris Duke's Rough Point. Tickets for the event at Rough Point can be purchased through 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 within the community. Administered by the NRF, these grants are generally given for bricks-and-mortar projects or project planning. The funds from the 2008 awards celebration benefited the Beavertail Lighthouse Foundation, the historic planner position for the City of Newport, the Edward King House, the Little Compton Historical Society, the Stanford White Casino Theatre, a fence restoration at Trinity Church, and Whitehall Museum.
Support for the 2009 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards has been provided by BankNewport, California Paints, Conde Nast Publications, DF Dwyer Insurance Agency, Grey Goose, Home & Commercial Security, Rentals Unlimited and Roskelly Inc., along with many individual supporters.
The 2009 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. For more information on the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, visit www.newportrestoration.org or call (401) 849-7300.
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