The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance has presented Preservation Achievement Awards to seven restoration and renovation projects and one new construction project. Three education, policy and planning initiatives and two leaders in historic preservation activity were also honored.

The annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievement and seeks to inspire others," said Christopher P. Williams, N.H. Preservation Alliance board member and awards committee chair. "This type of preservation activity is critical to the character of the state's communities and economic vitality," he added.

"This year's awards remind us how fortunate we are in New Hampshire: we have very special landmarks and communities as well as creative, tenacious investors and stewards who bring out the best in these incredible places," said Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the Preservation Alliance.

Award winners for restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive use are:

American Independence Museum, Exeter, for outstanding rehabilitation and restoration of the 18th century Folsom Tavern. The tavern was moved to a new site at the museum through a collaborative effort by architects, surveyors, engineers, contractors, archaeologists, and landscape architects. The well-designed and executed preservation project gives the museum needed display and educational space while preserving an important Revolutionary-era structure.

Astoria Properties LLC for outstanding preservation and adaptive use of the Louis deRochemont House, Newington. The 1862 home, which was renovated in the colonial revival style by filmmaker deRochemont in 1938, was in danger of being razed to make way for new commercial development in 2005. With strong local support, Astoria Properties changed course and the resulting project pays respect to the details of the architecture and the culture that deRochemont created within it, while giving the building new life as health care offices and a film archive and museum.

AHEAD, Inc. (Affordable Housing, Education and Development) for the adaptive use of the Littleton Hospital into affordable housing for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The city landmark, built in the early 20th century, was partially converted into office space, with the oldest parts of the structure rehabilitated into apartments that incorporate original design features, such as high ceilings, large windows, and spacious rooms.

The Music Hall, Portsmouth, for outstanding restoration of the auditorium and proscenium arch. The newly restored late 19th century interior of The Music Hall features the return of extraordinary decorative artistry that had been covered over and forgotten for decades. The ornate proscenium arch was restored with polychromy, gilding, and glazing, as well as the surprise discovery of a mural of cherubs on the sounding board.

New Castle Historical Society for the outstanding revival, adaptive use, rehabilitation and restoration of the Old Library Museum. When the board of selectmen discussed selling the town's 1840 library building, citizens rallied to keep it part of the community it had served so long by raising more than $100,000-mainly from the town's residents-to renovate it and create a home for the New Castle Historical Society.

New Market Historical Society for the outstanding restoration and stewardship of the Cheswell Graveyard. The historical society stepped in to raise money to reverse years of neglect at the circa 1790 private graveyard, and to convince town officials to maintain the historic site in the future. Headstones have been repaired and reset, the grounds have been landscaped, and the cast iron entrance gate was repaired and restored.

Trustees of the Gregg Free Library, Wilton, for the library's restoration, rehabilitation, and improved accessibility. Over the course of 20 years, the trustees maintained a clear vision of making the library accessible and up-to-date while staying true to its historical integrity. The 1908 Beaux Arts-style building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features exquisite interior spaces, a domed rotunda, highly detailed woodwork, and decoratively painted walls.

One award is for compatible new construction:

Strawbery Banke, Inc., Portsmouth, for outstanding design of the new Carter Collections Center at Strawbery Banke Museum. The museum successfully met the challenge of designing a building that fit into the most significant historic neighborhood in the city while creating an interior that holds a functional, state-of-the-art decorative arts processing, storage, and display space. Many of the exterior features of the 2½-story house were picked from architectural elements found on other structures around Strawbery Banke.

Three awards focused on contributions through education, planning and policy:

James Kilian for outstanding education and stewardship of Odd Fellows Hall, Epsom. As his Eagle Scout project, Kilian led a year-long effort to repair and renovate a large portion of the upstairs of the 1876 Odd Fellows Hall in his hometown. Drawing together people from all over the community, the project was completed with a budget of $560, donated materials, and in-kind services.

Town of Meredith for outstanding public policy, education, and planning. After impressive investment in the historic, community, and recreational assets of the town, Meredith boasts vibrant historic buildings and new design, as well as conserved farms, open spaces, scenic by-ways, views, and public access to an extensive waterfront. The community has shown a deep commitment to innovative strategies for preserving the historic and cultural character of the town.

The Lighthouse Kids, Hampton, for outstanding education, advocacy, and restoration of the White Island Lighthouse. Starting as a community service group of seventh graders, the Kids created a Web site and began raising awareness and money to save the rapidly deteriorating lighthouse. They received a $250,000 Save America's Treasures grant in 2003 and by 2008 had raised $275,000 to match it. Undeterred by further damage caused by a severe coastal storm in 2007, the Lighthouse Kids have continued to raise funds to repair the lighthouse, to assist in rehabilitating the light keeper's cottage, and to build a marine landing on the island.

Robert Stephenson was recognized for outstanding leadership in education, planning, and advocacy. Stephenson, who has lived in Jaffrey for 30 years, is credited with working tirelessly on a large variety of volunteer preservation projects in the Monadnock Region, including publications, building restorations, innovative planning initiatives, and a broad range of public outreach efforts. He has also served on several local, regional, and state-wide historical boards and commissions.

Lynne Emerson Monroe was honored for exceptional leadership and achievement in preservation education, policy, planning, and technical services. During Lynne Emerson Monroe's 30-year preservation career in New Hampshire, she has documented thousands of buildings and resources, educated hundreds of citizens, and created and sustained organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of cultural, historic and natural resources.  She has been a leader and supporter in every major step in the preservation movement's development - -most notably the launching and development of the Preservation Alliance and the state's association of local historic district commissions.

"We hope that the creativity and persistence and high professional standards embodied in these projects, organizations, and individuals will serve as models and inspiration to others," said Williams.

Since 1989, the Preservation Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding construction projects, as well as individuals and groups, for their contributions to the state's preservation movement.   The awards were announced on May 13th at the N.H. Historical Society's Tuck Library in Concord. 

Award program sponsors include Sheehan, Phinney, Bass + Green; Bruss Construction, Inc.; CMK Architects; The Common Man; Hutter Construction Corporation; Jewett Construction, Inc.; Nathan Wechsler & Co.; PA, Riverstone Resources LLC; Samyn-D'Elia Architects, PA; Selectwood; Sheerr McCrystal Palson Architecture; and TMS Architects.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is the statewide membership organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings, communities and landscapes through education and advocacy. Current priorities include providing assistance to community leaders and promoting the use of easements, barn preservation and tax incentives.