2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winner: Rick Geddes

The N.H. Preservation Alliance is pleased to announce our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award winner, Richard (Rick) Geddes, for Excellence in Preservation Practice and Leadership.

While moving buildings to extend or change their use isn't as common as it was before the 19th century industrial revolution, it's still an essential function for the historic preservation movement. This award honors the breadth of experience and record of accomplishment of Richard Geddes of Geddes Building Movers.

Pictured: Richard (Rick) Geddes

Nominators also emphasized Rick’s generosity, can-do problem-solving spirit and commitment. When the historic Epsom Meetinghouse, a property that needed to be moved or face demolition, Rick jumped in. On an early winter weekend morning in 2007, the team brought the building safely east along Route 4 in a short period of time to minimize traffic disruption and utility pole management costs.

In 2020, Geddes and his team moved another endangered building -- the 200- ton Victorian Gale School – across 1200 feet of new road to its new location. The difficult terrain included a 17% downhill grade. Both of these properties are now on their way with new investment and uses.

Just some of the many, many other historic preservation projects that benefited from Rick and his team include:

  • The Folsom Tavern at the American Independence Museum in Exeter

  • The relocation of 88 Lowell Street in Manchester, the city’s first high school

  • The Livery building in Sunapee Harbor

  • The Parker J. Noyes Building in Lancaster (the subject of another 2022 Award Winner)

Testimonials from historical non-profits, towns, and private building owners invariably include words like "honesty", "efficiency," "expertise," "diligence" and "good workmanship."

Many thanks to Rick for his above-and-beyond specialized work that has helped save scores of important historic buildings in New Hampshire and beyond.

Read about the rest of our 2022 Preservation Achievement Award Winners here.

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