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Historic Sites:
Outstanding Achievements in Historic Preservation to be Honored
The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) is pleased to announce that 10 individuals and organizations have been named as recipients of the State Historic Preservation Officer’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation. The awards program, in its 18th year, recognizes persons, organizations, and projects that have achieved distinction in the field of historic preservation in Washington by State Historic Preservation Officer Dr. Allyson Brooks.
This year’s winners exemplify the spirit, motivation, and determination necessary to preserve our state’s heritage for future generations. These recognized efforts are both personal and wide ranging. Two examples include the efforts of the Quincy Valley Historical Society, which have systematically and lovingly cared for the Reiman-Simmons house and the Old Quincy Church. While the Seattle-based modernist architecture group known as Doco Momo Wewa, have had great success this past year raising awareness about the historical and design impacts of mid-twentieth century architecture in Washington.
Upon choosing winners for the 2008 awards, a common thread appeared to emerge about the power of individuals who make a difference in their community. This power is evidenced by the award winner’s determination to affect change in their respective communities. Knute Berger has made a difference in Seattle’s lively discussions on issues through his influential and ever-expanding blog site Crosscut.com. Berger’s thoughtful and provocative writing style challenges conventional thinking about development and his blog has been an effective sounding board for preservation in Seattle. King County Councilman Dow Constantine and Seattle Developer Kevin Daniels worked through an enormously complex maze of financial and real estate design issues to formulate a development plan that rescued downtown’s First United Methodist Church from what seemed to be inevitable demolition. Retiring State Representative Pat Lantz of Gig Harbor will be recognized for advancing the cause of preservation in the Washington State Legislature. Representative Lantz recently brought to a close her duties as the co-chair of the Washington State Heritage Caucus. Through her leadership she brought legislators, state agencies, local governments, museum organizations, and preservationists to effectively raise awareness of heritage issues in forging state policy. The career of National Park Service Archaeologist Bob Mierendorf of Marblemount, Washington will be recognized at this year’s awards. Mierendorf’s contributions to the science of archaeology are significant nationally as well as locally. Another career award winner is former Seattle City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck. In Seattle, as well as Washington, the name ‘Steinbrueck’ has become synonymous with grassroots preservation advocacy. His recent departure from Seattle City Council marks another milestone in the career of this dedicated preservation advocate.
In the Media category, kudos are in order for reporter Jefferson Robbins and the Wenatchee World. Robbins research into the lifeways of the ancient Clovis culture of the Columbia plateau, and the history of the discovery of the Clovis spear point cache in East Wenatchee, resulted in first-rate reporting on cultural resource issues and superior website content.
In the building rehabilitation award category, the State Historic Preservation Officer granted two awards to Spokane-based projects. Both the Fox Theater and the Moore-Turner Gardens will receive the coveted Valerie Sivinski Award for Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation. The first award recognizes the restoration effort of the magnificent Fox Theater. Restored to the splendor of those theaters of the by-gone era, the Fox Theater is a jewel of art deco styling that must stand as an example to the rest of the community as to how preservation and downtown revitalization can work together to make Spokane one of the most livable cities in America. The State Historic Preservation Officer will also recognize the efforts made by Spokane Public Television--KSPS for the stunning documentation of this enormous effort.
The Moore-Turner Gardens had been allowed to run fallow for many decades. So poor was its condition that few could remember its former glory. Spokane Parks and Recreation with the help of many friends and neighbors systematically studied the landscape, rebuilt or replaced picturesque ruins, and replanted period appropriate vegetation to rehabilitate the Moore-Turner Gardens back to its turn-of-the-last-century splendor. Thanks to this monumental effort, the Moore-Turner Gardens will be a place of beauty and quiet contemplation for the citizens of Spokane for many years to come.
The efforts of these preservationists epitomize the spirit that can still be seen in the work of the late Valerie Sivinski, a Tacoma-area architect of noteworthy skill who became Washington State’s First Capitol Conservator. Sivinski’s lifework is celebrated in the restorations that she performed (not only in every corner of Washington State) but as far away as New Mexico, Washington, D.C. and London.
Award recipients will be recognized during a special ceremony held in Legislative Building on the historic State Capitol Campus, on May 13, 2008. State Historic Preservation Officer, Dr. Allyson Brooks will preside over the awards ceremony. The awards coincide with National Historic Preservation Month, an annual celebration occurring every May.
For information about past award winners for the last 10 years click here. For a look at previous Preservation Month Posters click here. If you would like to learn more about the awards, contact Russell Holter at (360)586-3533 or email Russell.Holter@dahp.wa.gov
2008 SHPO Award Recipients
Valerie Sivinski Award for Outstanding Rehabilitation
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Fox Theater Spokane |
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Moore-Turner Gardens Spokane |
Resource Stewardship
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Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum for Reiman-Simmons House Quincy |
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Career Achievement
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Bob Mierendorf Marblemount |
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Peter Steinbrueck Seattle |
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| Special Achievement | ||
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Pat Lantz Gig Harbor |
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Kevin Daniels & Dow Constantine Seattle |
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| Media Award | ||
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Knute Berger Crosscut.com Seattle |
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Jefferson Robbins & The Wenatchee World Wenatchee |
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Special Recognition - KSPS Public Television Documentary of the Rehabilitation of the Fox Theater Spokane |
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| Planning | ||
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| Education | ||
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DocomomoWeWa Statewide |
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Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
1063 South Capitol Way, Suite 106
Olympia WA 98501
Phone: 360-586-3065
Fax: 360-586-3067