Preservation Awards

Kentucky Heritage Council News Release

Nominations sought for 33rd Annual Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Awards Statewide program honors excellence, commitment to preserving Kentucky’s heritage

The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation and Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office are seeking nominations for the 33rd 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 2010 honoree was Clyde Reynolds Carpenter of Lexington, chair of the University of Kentucky Department of Historic Preservation
   
   Nominations must be submitted via mail or in person to the Kentucky Heritage Council, 300 Washington Street, Frankfort, Ky. 40601. Entries may also be submitted via email to kyheritage@ky.gov or by fax, 502-564-5820. All entries must be received or postmarked by Monday, April 11.
   
   Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of judges representing various agencies and nonprofit organizations, including the Kentucky Heritage Council and members of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation. Winners will be recognized during a special ceremony in May, which is National Historic Preservation Month. For guidelines and a nomination form, visit the Heritage Council website.
   
   During the ceremony, winners of the 13th Annual Statewide Photo-Essay Competition will also be honored. The contest is open to all Kentucky schoolchildren in grades 1-12 and is co-sponsored by the Kentucky Heritage Council and Preservation Kentucky Inc. The 2011 theme is Preservation in Your Community: From Endangered to Enlivened.
   
   The entry deadline is Friday, April 15. For entry forms and contest guidelines or to view examples of past winners, visit Preservation Kentucky
   
   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 Governor Simeon Willis. It was during Mrs. Willis’ tenure that Kentucky’s successful statewide historic preservation program was initiated.