The University of New Hampshire for outstanding restoration of Thompson Hall. Partners include: Goody Clancy, Shawmut Design and Construction, UNH Facilities Division

Despite its unbroken service at the heart of the University of New Hampshire campus in Durham, the 1893 Thompson Hall had suffered over the years from casual alterations and uneven maintenance. With the recent exemplary rehabilitation by the university's leadership, its facilities division, the architect and the contractor, Thompson Hall has been returned to full dignity as the flagship building of the university. Now that the clock and tower have been restored, a graduation bell-ringing tradition will be reestablished this year. The building is also serving as a preservation case study, as academic departments around the University study its renovation to investigate the social benefits of historic preservation.

North Church of Portsmouth for outstanding restoration and stewardship. Partners: Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc., Samyn-D'Elia Architects, American Steeple & Tower Co., Inc., Market Square Steeple Fund, City of Portsmouth

An impressive partnership of church and civic leaders has restored and rehabilitated the 1855 North Church of Portsmouth. Situated prominently in Market Square, the building is a visual and historic landmark for Portsmouth and the entire seacoast. The high quality project included the restoration of the church steeple, clock, and exterior masonry, as well as structural improvements.

The steeple presented unforeseen additional challenges. As the project began, investigators learned that the steeple's wood framing and sheathing were rotten and that the copper cladding was the only thing holding the spire together. Later, during construction, a violent storm toppled sections of the scaffolding on the steeple, bringing down with it the replacement framing for the spire. Despite this set-back, church and civic leaders persevered and rebuilt what had been lost.

The congregation of 300 people raised over $500,000 within the church, and the community stepped up to raise another $1,000,000 to preserve this New Hampshire landmark. The City of Portsmouth paid for the careful restoration of the clock, which is city-owned.

Carpenter Memorial Library, Manchester, for outstanding renovation and stewardship. Partners include: City of Manchester, Corzilius Matuszewski Krause Architects, P.A., Hutter Construction Corporation

The Carpenter Memorial Library in Manchester has served the citizens of New Hampshire's largest city since it was dedicated in 1914. It was designed by prominent library architects Edward L. Tilton of New York and Edgar Newcomb of Honolulu, and the lay-out has changed little throughout the years. The Library Board of Trustees, City officials and past library directors have all been excellent custodians of this historic gem. The recent renovation project, supported with community improvement funds committed by the City, updated the library's aging heating system, added air conditioning, re-set the front stairs, replaced the roof and improved a barrier-free entrance. "The project team did a fabulous job threading complicated mechanical systems through the building while maintaining the building's architectural integrity," according to award review committee members. This extensive renovation project maintained the historic features and materials of the building, improved the environment for the collections, and offers more comfort for today's library users.

Manchester Historic Association for oustanding renovation and stewardship of their Research Center. Partners include: Dennis B. Mires, AIA, Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc.

The recent renovations of the Manchester Historic Association's research facility, on Amherst Street, provide a new level of public access and improve standards for the care for their collections. The stewardship of the Association is a significant model for others across the state.

The 1931 building, designed by the New York-based firm Tilton & Githens, originally housed the Association's exhibits and library collection of documents, photographs and objects related to all aspects of Manchester's history. It is located in the Victory Park National Register Historic District.

Following the opening of the MHA's Millyard Museum in 2001, the organization turned to a major renovation of their original building. The three-part goal of the project, according to MHA Director Gail Colglazier, was "to improve accessibility and provide climate control and better storage for the collections. Retaining the building's historical and architectural integrity were important in the choices we made when doing the work."

Town of Canaan Old Meeting House Restoration Committee for preservation and stewardship. Partners include: Paul Keyser, Thomas Geoghegan

The Canaan Meeting House has benefited from over three decades of outstanding planning and stewardship that recently culminated in a significant rehabilitation. The 1796 Meeting House, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and the following year, the Town of Canaan established the Meeting House Committee to oversee the building's maintenance and restoration. Chairman William Geoghegan produced the basic restoration plan, which guided efforts through the 1970s and 1980s to restore the foundations and sills of the building, repair the main gallery ceiling, and remove all non-original elements introduced to the structure that would inhibit future restoration. During this period over $100,000 was raised from the community for this project.

In 1989, William's son, Thomas Geoghegan, began historical research and analysis of the Meeting House that would shape the next phase of the restoration process. Between 1991 and 1993, the gallery breastwork, east tower interior and east end gallery pew boxes were restored. Geoghegan provided a design to replicate the original west "porch," using materials from the original structure, including hand-forged nails and restored 1793 windows. The Meeting House now provides needed space and services for public use of the building. Volunteer leadership and community and civic support have been critical to the success of the project throughout.

Webster Farm Preservation Association for outstanding preservation advocacy. Partners include: Trust for Public Land, Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, DW Ray Commons

After nearly a decade of uncertainty, a future for Daniel Webster Farm that celebrates and protects its highly significant historic, cultural and agricultural values was secured in 2007. Sympathetic new owners, stabilized historic structures and conservation and preservation easements are the result of major organizational investments and the extraordinary efforts of a few individuals.

The farm has strong ties to famed statesman Daniel Webster, who, until his death in 1852, maintained his family farm in Franklin as a place for political meetings, farming, and personal retreat. The property also includes important archeological resources, French and Indian War connections, and a rich institutional history extending from 1871, when it became the New Hampshire Orphan's Home, to its use in the second half of the 20th century by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

The Webster Farm Preservation Association worked with several organizations and key volunteers to maintain the open land and adaptively reuse the buildings. The National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the Farm on America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. With a major investment from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) purchased the farm and held it off the market while the partners continued to raise the money and interest needed to secure lasting preservation of the historic, natural and agricultural resources. Dan Fife played a key role in launching the civic effort to save the farm, Colin Cabot served as the lead preservation advocate and fundraiser during the entire campaign, and Leigh Webb managed the building stabilization work.

In the fall of 2007, TPL conveyed much of the property's farmland to a neighboring farmer, Clarence Fife, and several months later, Alex Ray, DW Ray Commons, LLC, purchased the eleven buildings. The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests hold preservation and conservation easements on the property.

Friends of Epsom's Historic Meetinghouse for outstanding preservation advocacy.

Saving the Epsom Meetinghouse from demolition was a major victory for a small group of Epsom residents who turned the tide of public sentiment at the eleventh hour. Led by Richard Frambach, the committee had a huge challenge--to convince the owner, Cumberland Farms, to delay demolition, to get a vote of the townspeople to accept the building for new town offices, and to raise $90,000 and handle all logistics of the building's move. This meetinghouse was built as the Freewill Baptist church in 1861, on what was then the First New Hampshire Turnpike, and is today a heavily traveled section of U.S. Route 4. The imposing building was designed with Greek Revival, Italianate and Renaissance Revival elements. In February, 2007, the town voted to accept the gift of the church. The Friends had met all the conditions--advocacy, fundraising, and the arrangements for the move. At 5 a.m. on February 25, just days before Cumberland Farms' demolition date of March 1, Route 4 was closed to traffic, utility lines were dropped, and the 120-ton, 42-foot-wide building rolled along the 45-foot-wide roadway to a new home.

Hollis Heritage Commission for rescue, rehabilitation and reuse of the Lawrence Barn

Thanks to the leadership and outreach of the Hollis Heritage Commission, the town now has a new year-round, multi-use space and a rare triple-English barn has been saved. Today, Lawrence Barn sits prominently in a new location in the town center, a visual symbol of the area's agricultural history and a testament to the community's spirit and volunteerism.

The original barn, constructed in the late eighteenth century, was enlarged by the addition of two other barns over the years, with each section representing a different century of farming and building practices in Hollis. When the barn was threatened by residential development in 1999, the Hollis Heritage Commission acquired, dismantled and stored the landmark, then began planning and fundraising for its re-use as a community center.

This award celebrates the Commission's leadership in involving townspeople in all aspects of the barn's future. Over 200 individuals and 35 private contractors donated time, materials and professional services to the project. The community barn raising was led by Arron Sturgis of Preservation Timber Framing, Inc.

Penacook Historical Society for outstanding preservation education with A House, a Barn, a Community. Partners include: John Gfroerer of Accompany, Elizabeth Durfee Hengen, Preservation Consultant

A House, A Barn, A Community, a documentary video that chronicles the history and recent preservation of the Rolfe Barn, serves as an outstanding model of public education for community preservation efforts.

In 2002, the Rolfe Barn, located on the site of the Rolfe Homestead in Penacook, a village of Concord, was purchased and slated to be moved out of state for reconstruction. The video describes the double-English barn's significance and chronicles the dramatic community effort to prevent its loss and preserve its setting. in a clear and captivating way.

The Penacook Historical Society commissioned the video, which is a unique showcase of Concord talent--the videographer is based in Concord, the score is an original work by Concord resident William Fletcher, the music is performed by the Concord Chorale, and the working farm scenes were shot at the farm across from the barn. Commentary by local residents, Rolfe descendants and preservation experts combines with beautiful architectural shots and music to create an inspiring and memorable film.

Florence Brown for dedicated preservation advocacy and planning in Merrimack

Florence Brown has quietly but effectively set the standard for local preservation efforts in her adopted home town of Merrimack, using the town's Heritage Commission as the vehicle for advancing preservation goals. After a career in retail, she turned her skills to preserving the history of the town. Brown led the petition process which created a Heritage Commission in 2000, and has built awareness and support for preservation ever since.

Under her chairmanship, new street signs bearing the town seal were installed, the Matthew Thornton Cemetery was refurbished, and new signage was added to all the town's cemeteries. The Commissioners began a program researching and recording the historic buildings in town, and .they offered oval date plaques to local homeowners. Brown also facilitated the nominations of the Chamberlain Bridge and the Blanchard House at Thomas More College to the State Register of Historic Places.

In addition to devoting much of her own time and energy to historic preservation, she has inspired others to action, from Eagle Scouts to local business owners.

Goffstown Historic District Commission Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award for preservation education, planning and advocacy. Partners: Goffstown Main Street Program, Lisa Mausolf, Preservation Consultant.

Goffstown's Historic District Commission, established in 1982, has done an extraordinary job of using historic preservation to promote the history of its town and guide planning and revitalization efforts. This award acknowledges their long-term commitment, as well as their recent collaboration with the Goffstown Main Street Program to list its commercial and civic village center on the National Register of Historic Places. The Commission's inventory of historical and architectural resources also led to the listing of individual properties on the National Register, the establishment of three local historic districts, the development of a downtown heritage walking tour, and a historic marker program. The group was also instrumental in the conversion of the historic high school building to affordable housing, the construction of an architecturally compatible addition to the public library and the preservation of a historic downtown bridge designed by nationally-renowned engineer. A major focus of the Commission has been restoring the 1889 Grasmere Town Hall and reopening its 200-seat second-floor theater. At the state level, the Goffstown HDC, led by the late Representative Daniel McNerney, played a key role enacting New Hampshire's "Heritage Commissions" legislation.

This past year, the Commission has expanded its efforts and placed the downtown area on the National Register as a historic district. An extensive public education process distinguished this effort. New Hampshire's National Register Program director also commended the group for the professional quality of their well-researched nomination.

Richard M. Candee, PhD for outstanding leadership and achievement in preservation education, advocacy and planning

Richard M. Candee has been a major force in historic preservation education and advocacy for the last four decades. His accomplishments in the seacoast and across the country are wide-ranging. His energy and enthusiasm for his current projects, his commitment to high professional standards and his practical, inclusive approach are inspiring to others. Dr. Candee's major roles have included founder and president of the Society for Industrial Archaeology, president of the New England Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, president of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, trustee of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, and treasurer of Preservation Action, the national lobby group. In New Hampshire, Portsmouth Advocates, Portsmouth Athenaeum, Strawbery Banke Museum, Warner House, Wentworth-Coolidge House, Portsmouth Historical Society, the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail and other organizations have benefited from his active participation. For the last several years, he has nurtured a consortium of historic sites in the seacoast, helping them to plan and promote cooperatively more than they ever have in past. In historic preservation circles, he is best known as Professor Emeritus of American and New England Studies at Boston University, where he helped found the Preservation Studies Masters Program and served as director from 1983-2004.

Candee's advocacy and organizational work is grounded in high professional research standards. He is a prolific producer of essays, articles and reviews and his current scholarship advances his long time work with textile history and architecture. His books include Atlantic Heights: A World War I Shipbuilder's Community, Building Portsmouth: The Neighborhoods and Architecture of New Hampshire's Oldest City (now in its third printing), and the forthcoming, Wallace Nutting's Portsmouth: Photographs of the 'Colonial' Past, 1908-1918.