Chris Williams Presented Award for Outstanding Preservation Achievement

The N.H. Preservation Alliance presented an award for outstanding leadership in preservation planning and advocacy to Christopher P. Williams, for his lasting influence on preservation and architecture in New Hampshire, on April 27 in Meredith. The assembled guests represented the varied aspects of Williams’s extensive, continuing activities and positive results in Meredith, other Lakes Region communities and additional communities around the state.

N.H. Preservation Alliance Board Chair, Nicholas Mitchell, presents a Preservation Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership in Preservation Planning and Advocacy to Christopher P. Williams.

N.H. Preservation Alliance board members Nicholas Mitchell and Jeanie Forrester emphasized Williams’ local impact and statewide reach. Williams has rescued and revived dozens of historic buildings, and for more than 35 years his architecture firm has shown a steadfast commitment to preservation and environmental sustainability. He helped with the eleventh-hour save of the Belmont Mill, and designed reconstructions or renovations at Canterbury Shaker Village and the University of New Hampshire. Williams was an early supporter of Main Street programs as well as an innovative historic preservation initiative for the Squam area.

Linda Frawley, past chair of the Belmont Heritage Commission, said that the iconic Belmont Mill would be a “pile of rubble” if not for Williams’ intervention in a preservation rescue that became a model for many more. The Belmont preservation effort is a “gift that keeps on giving.” according to Frawley.

Greater Meredith Program Board Member and long-time community development collaborator Rusty McLear offered a substantial list of Meredith improvements including flowers, walkways, parks and Main Street revival that Williams helped create. He emphasized Williams’ passion for making communities better and his positive attitude.

Chris’s deep, intertwined love of place and commitment to conservation and preservation objectives were lauded by Roger Larochelle, executive director of the Squam Lakes Conservation Society.

Williams’ daughter Mae Williams described how her parents instilled in her a commitment to enhancing community life and a desire to make the world a better place. She has combined a love of history and interest in sustainability into a historic preservation consulting practice.

Retired State Architectural Historian James Garvin spoke of Williams’ pioneering spirit as an architect who embraced historic preservation and environmental issues in the 1980s, and noted that his legacy includes not only historic preservation projects and also buildings he and his firm have designed that preservationists will be discussing and embracing in future generations.

Preservation Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Goodman said that the Preservation Alliance has provided Preservation Achievement Awards for over 30 years and that Williams is one of a small group of leaders that have been honored among revitalization, rehabilitation and educational projects. The awards are an opportunity to thank people for outstanding contributions and to inspire others, she said.

Williams acknowledged the dedication and good work of his colleagues at his architecture firm and encouraged everyone to get involved in volunteering and civic life. “Get involved in what you feel passionate about,” he said.

A before and after view of the Belmont Mill in Belmont, NH.

Chris Williams’s portfolio of preservation work across the state is filled with dozens of rescued and revived buildings. He has also made impressive contributions to strengthening civic organizations and advancing quality of life, especially in Meredith and the Squam Lakes region.

Chris says his interest in how people respond to place was formed by living in 23 places in 11 states in his early years. Having a grandmother on Squam Lake and other grandparents in the southern part of the state piqued his interest in making a difference in New Hampshire. His grandfather was an antiquarian at Sturbridge Village and Mystic Seaport, and now his daughter Mae runs a busy historic preservation consulting firm based in the Lakes Region.

Chris founded his architecture firm in 1984 to provide comprehensive professional services in an efficient and environmentally appropriate manner. Over the past 50 years, his commitment to preservation, restoration, and re-use has never wavered.

He was instrumental in the 11th hour save of the Belmont Mill, carried out rehabilitation and reconstruction projects at the University of New Hampshire and Canterbury Shaker Village, and designed or renovated numerous homes overlooking Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee. The Castle in the Clouds is fortunate to be receiving his attention and assistance in recent years.

Chris also responded to community needs in Meredith and formed Latchkey Charities in 1994. This organization of local business owners and municipal officers is dedicated to improving quality of life in the community, and has been instrumental in creating a park, a community center, a senior housing project, and a major hotel/conference center.

Chris was also an early proponent and supporter of an innovative historic preservation initiative for the Squam area. This highly-effective planning, educational and stewardship initiative engaged year round and summer residents, long-timers and newcomers, in learning more about the history and evolution of their area and expanding their preservation ethic to match their long-held conservation attitudes and action. Results have included National Register nominations, campstead easements, new archives, and other important resources.

Chris Williams has also been active in a variety of organizations dedicated to historic preservation and community charitable work for many years. As a member of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance Board he was instrumental in restructuring the organization to partner with the National Trust and he helped bring the Main Street Program to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

Chris has long been affiliated with the American Institute of Architects, and is also a member of the Architect Registration Examination Committee, part of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). That committee is responsible for the design, content and administration of national exams for architectural registration, and Chris served as their elected New Hampshire representative. He has also participated in many community design charrettes, juried architectural awards, and lectured throughout the state on topics such as historic preservation, environmentally appropriate architecture, and the role of craftsmanship in architecture.

The far-reaching impacts of his work, both professional and volunteer, have inspired a strong preservation and sustainable “green” design ethic among the next generation too. His accomplishments, along with his enormous energy, generosity and can-do attitude, are an inspiration for us all!

Generous awards program sponsors include Ian Blackman, LLC, Restoration and Preservation, Bedard Preservation & Restoration, LLC, Hutter Construction, Meridian Construction, The Rowley Agency, Inc., and Sheehan Phinney. Also Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc., Matusezewski & Associates, LLC, North Branch Construction, Brady Sullivan Properties, Bruss Project Management, LLC, Mountain View Grand Resort, and The Duprey Companies.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance supports and encourages the revitalization and protection of historic buildings and places which strengthens communities and local economies.

Presentation by N.H. Preservation Alliance Board Chairman Nicholas Mitchell

Chris Williams, Meredith for Outstanding Leadership in Preservation Planning and Advocacy