This past month, nine projects across the Granite State were recognized by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance for outstanding achievement in preservation at its annual announcement ceremony in Concord. The awards recognize individuals, organizations and corporations for work or projects in the categories of restoration and stewardship, rehabilitation and adaptive use, compatible new construction and advocacy.

Jeananne Farrar of Keene and Joyce McKay, cultural resources manager for the N.H. Department of Transportation, were honored for their outstanding contributions to the preservation of landmark structures, artifacts and communities in New Hampshire.

"We welcome this opportunity to recognize outstanding projects and people, offer thanks and inspire others," said the Preservation Alliance's executive director Jennifer Goodman.
"In a time when it's easy to focus on strained budgets and limited resources, it is incredibly inspiring to recognize these examples of resourcefulness, creativity, stewardship and community engagement," said Michael Bruss, N.H. Preservation Alliance chairman. "I can't imagine New Hampshire without these vibrant places and tenacious people," he said.

The award-winning projects include:
The rehabilitation and restorations of three civic landmarks:
• Town of Dublin for rehabilitation of the second floor of the Dublin Town Hall
• United Congregational Church of Orford for restoration and rehabilitation of the United Congregational Church
• Acworth Meetinghouse Restoration Project for outstanding restoration of the Acworth Meetinghouse

Two significant community development projects in Claremont:
• Monadnock Economic Development Corporation for outstanding rehabilitation and adaptive use of the Oscar Brown Block
• Wainshal Partners LLC for outstanding rehabilitation and revitalization of the Monadnock Mill District

Two Portsmouth-based projects that advanced housing and energy-efficiency goals:
• Clean Air-Cool Planet for advocacy and education for its guide, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation
• Portsmouth Housing Development Ltd. for rehabilitation and adaptive use of the former Lafayette School

Two outstanding stewardship projects:
• Town of Hancock for outstanding stewardship of the Town Common and other initiatives
• Castle Preservation Society for outstanding restoration and on-going stewardship of Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough

Joyce McKay's award recognized her tremendous contribution to the protection, preservation and public understanding of historic resources in New Hampshire. Her efforts have brought respect for historical and archeological resources and a high degree of collegiality to the federal transportation review process in New Hampshire. Her colleagues emphasize that she is always seeking to learn more, constantly thinking deeply and broadly about resource protection and its ramifications. She is an admired role model who exemplifies the highest qualities of what it means to be an intellectual and a public servant, said Goodman.

Jeananne Farrar received the Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award for outstanding contributions to historic preservation advocacy and education. Embracing preservation with a passion after years of other types of civic contributions in Keene, she has helped revive landmarks structures, educate young people on the benefits of preservation, and mentored other volunteer preservation leaders around the state. Among her most notable achievements is her persistent, collaborative work to establish the city's first heritage commission and its first local historic district, which encompasses all of downtown and is one of the larger such districts in the state.  The Hengen award is named for a long-time chairman of the Preservation Alliance for her contributions to education and advocacy in New Hampshire.

This year marks the Alliance's 21st year celebrating preservation achievement in New Hampshire.  "The list of past winners is a timeline of sorts of the preservation movement in New Hampshire and its heros," said Goodman. The Preservation Alliance has presented 162 awards since 1989 for achievements including renovations of corporate facilities at PSNH and PC Connection, the rescue campaigns for Daniel Webster Farm and the Epsom Meetinghouse, a restoration of a neon sign in Weirs Beach, the rehabilitation of University of New Hampshire's Murkland Hall, the re-use of the former B & M railroad station in Plymouth, the proactive policies of the Troy Heritage Commission, a 5th grade walking tour of Antrim and the leadership of advocates Martha Fuller Clark, Carl Schmidt and Richard Candee. 

Award program sponsors include The Duprey Companies and Sheehan, Phinney, Bass + Green as well as The Common Man Restaurants, Daniel V. Scully Architects, Granite State Plumbing & Heating, JSN Associates, Inc., Lumber Barn, The MacMillin Company, Inc., Preservation Company, Samyn-D'Elia Architects, P.A. and Tate and Foss Sotheby's International Realty.

2010 Winners:

	The Town of Dublin for the rehabilitation of Dublin Town Hall's second floor. Partners: Daniel V. Scully, Architects; The MacMillin Company, Inc.; Joseph E. Cavanaugh Credit: Nancy Belluscio, On-Site Photography
	Congregational Church of Orford for restoration and rehabilitation of the United Congregational Church Partners:  Haynes & Garthwaite Architects, Estes & Gallup, Inc., The Opportunity Committee, The Light of the Valley Committee
	Acworth Meetinghouse Restoration Project for outstanding restoration of the Acworth Meetinghouse Partners:  The MacMillin Company, Inc., New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, NH LCHIP, Preservation Timber Framing Credit: John Butler
	Monadnock Economic Development Corporation for outstanding rehabilitation and adaptive use of the Oscar Brown Block Partners: Richard M. Monahon, Jr., AIA, Architects, Trumbull-Nelson, Preservation Company, Claremont Development Authority, NH Community Development Finance Authority, NH Business Finance Authority Credit: Steve Booth Photography
	Wainshal Partners LLC for outstanding rehabilitation and revitalization of the Monadnock Mill District Partners:   Sugar River Mills Redevelopment, LLC, Woven Label, LLC dba The Common Man Family of Restaurants, Red River Computer Company, City of Claremont, UK Architects, P.C., ReArch Company, Preservation Company
	Award winner Joyce McKay, cultural resources manager at N.H. DOT, in the field
	Image from charrette led by Clean Air-Cool Planet for advocacy and education when it was creating its guide, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation
	Portsmouth Housing Development Ltd. for rehabilitation and adaptive use of the former Lafayette School Partners:   City of Portsmouth, Northern New England Housing Investment Fund, Portsmouth Advocates, NH Housing Finance Authority, Ricci Construction, George Hickey Architect, Lisa Mausolf, Preservation Consultant, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, TD Bank North
	Town of Hancock for outstanding stewardship of the Town Common and other initiatives. Partners:   Village Planning Committee, Hancock Improvement Association, Hancock Department of Public Works, Public Service of New Hampshire Credit: Steve Booth Photography
	Castle Preservation Society and Lakes Region Conservation Trust for outstanding restoration and on-going stewardship of Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough Partners:   Bedard Preservation & Restoration, TMS Architects, Elizabeth Durfee Hengen, Preservation Consultant, Jane Nylander, Consultant
	Jeananne Farrar of Keene received the Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award for outstanding contributions to historic preservation advocacy and education.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is the statewide membership organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings, communities and landscapes through leadership, education and advocacy. Current priorities include providing assistance to community leaders and promoting effective weatherization, community-centered schools, barn preservation and preservation as "the original green". More at www.nhpreservation.org.

Presentations, May 18, 2010

Town of Dublin for the rehabiliation of the second floor of the Dublin Town Hall

In 1881, Rotch & Tilden Architects of Boston designed an elaborate Queen Ann style town hall for little Dublin, New Hampshire.  The central tower and steeple were removed during a Colonial Revival improvement, just 25 years later.

The soaring room on the top floor of the Dublin Town Hall was a very popular place that hosted dances, shows, meetings and local clubs.  Due to code compliance issues and other repair needs, the room was closed to the public over 25 years ago.

After preparing a master plan for the rehabilitation of Town Hall, Daniel V. Scully Architects was hired to make the top floor of the Town Hall again usable.  The laundry list of work completed is extensive: the plaster walls were repaired and painted; the hardwood floors and wainscoting were refinished; the original pendant light fixtures were restored and supplemented with new lighting; all electrical wiring and fire safety systems were replaced.  Making the top floor space accessible with an elevator, and providing a fire rated stair tower to meet current codes, were the two biggest challenges and the most expensive components of the project.

The renovation work at the Dublin Town Hall was underwritten by an anonymous donor.  At the time the gift was announced, Selectmen Joe Cavanaugh noted:

"It's a chance of a lifetime for Dublin.  These opportunities are very, very rare."  The Preservation Alliance is pleased to recognize this high quality work that revived the use of a landmark structure.

 
United Congregational Church of Orford
for restoration and rehabilitation of Orford Congregational Church

The Orford Congregational Church, located on Main Street, was constructed in 1854-55, and is the largest and most prominent historic structure in town. Built from plans drawn by Lebanon architect Moses Wood, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is an unusual example of the Gothic Revival style.

On April 16, 2007, a Nor'easter loosened the sanctuary ceiling from its wooden rafters.  Almost a month later, on a Sunday afternoon in May, the ceiling collapsed in one, fell swoop.  There was extensive damage to virtually everything in the worship area, including the pews, pulpit, piano and organ. Fortunately, insurance monies were available to cover major interior repairs.

What is most wonderful about this project is that the congregation didn't stop there. They used a crisis as an opportunity to do much more.

After an overall assessment of the building, a broad scope of work was created, and members of the members of the church and the greater community joined forces to add $100,000 to the insurance funds to invest in the exterior of the building. The project included effective research, documentation and a high quality team. Work included the 

• Reconstruction of the sanctuary ceiling
• Reproduction of plaster crown molding
• Restoration of an original kerosene chandelier
• Replacement of the organ and sound system
• Repair of all pews and woodwork
• Restoration of historic wall stenciling
• As well as fundamental exterior work including sill and trim repair, restoration of the 19th century tower clock and steeple lighting and painting

The spirit of the effort to restore this historic landmark, which in many ways serves as the town's community center, was expressed by volunteer Carl Schmidt:

"There was a remarkable outpouring of help from the beginning…There really has been nothing like this in Orford."

 
Acworth Meetinghouse Restoration Committee
for outstanding restoration of the United Church of Acworth

The Acworth Meetinghouse, built in 1821, has great visual prominence and architectural significance. It overlooks the Town Common, and is one of the Templeton Group of churches built by Elias Carter. In addition to its role of religious institution for the United Church of Acworth, the meetinghouse is known as "the kitchen of the community" for its frequent use for civic gatherings of all kinds.

Unfortunately, over the years New Hampshire hilltop weather had taken its toll.  In 2006 the discovery of substantial structural damage due to water infiltration caused the steeple's removal, and the landmark was included in the Preservation Alliance's inaugural Seven to Save list Like the project in Orford, people inside and outside of the church took a step back from a crisis situation, took a productive long view, and turned an enormous problem into an opportunity.

The long list of repairs to the Acworth Meetinghouse includes:

• Replacement of undercarriage
• Installation of foundation drainage
• Repair of steeple tower base
• Repair of steeple belfry frame
• Repair of steeple lantern
• Restoration of windows, doors, exterior trim and siding
• Update of heating, plumbing and wiring

The Acworth team employed the innovative approach of having an expert contractor work not with his own crew, but with local, skilled craftsmen.  In their acceptance letter to the Preservation Alliance, the members of the Restoration Project wrote:

"At the beginning this project seemed so daunting…now we are in awe of what the work of so many has produced…as we write, the exterior of the building is being prepared for painting, and the steeple, which stood on the ground for three years, is back in place.  We are honored to be a part of an effort to preserve a place of importance to so many."

Monadnock Economic Development Corporation
for outstanding rehabilitation and adaptive use of the Oscar Brown Block, Claremont

The Oscar Brown Block has anchored Tremont Square of downtown Claremont since the 1860s.  Early views of the bunting bedecked building, with retail storefronts and apartments above show the importance of this commercial building. 

Over the years the Brown Block deteriorated; the highly detailed cornice and storefront decorative elements were lost.  The decision to change the orientation of the storefronts from Tremont Square to Pleasant Street further altered the original fabric of the building.

The rehabilitation of the Brown Block began as a Main Street initiative and morphed through the implementation of numerous funding mechanisms into ownership and management by the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.

Most unique in the restoration of the façade was the replacement of the lost bracketed cornice.  The storefronts were reconstructed to match the scale and proportions of the only remaining early wood storefront.  The upper floor was redesigned to hold six apartments and an office.

The rehabilitation of the Brown Block, which was awarded federal historic preservation investment tax credits this year, has helped to complete the revitalization of Tremont Square.

Nancy Merrill, business development coordinator with the Claremont Economic Development Office has noted:

"This is very much in keeping with what we hoped for the revitalization of the downtown."

 
Wainshal Partners LLC
for outstanding rehabilitation and revitalization of the Monadnock Mill District

Originally constructed in the late 1800s, three buildings comprise the 130,000 square foot Monadnock Mills.  Claremont was once a textile manufacturing giant, producing linens for the White House and the Waldorf Astoria.  By the 1990s the formerly grand brick and timber structures sat empty and deteriorating.

The City of Claremont undertook the sale of three Monadnock Mill buildings in 2004.  The most difficult project, the rehabilitation of Mill #2 and #6 were begun first, when Red River Computer and the Common Man chose these sites for their new locations.  The Woven Label building followed, and then came the Peterson Building and Monadnock Mill #3.  As part of this significant and historic $40 million public/private partnership, Claremont undertook infrastructure projects to complement the new development.

The rehabilitation of the Monadnock Mills contributes significantly to the revitalization of downtown Claremont by creating a mixed-use project in the historic urban core and forming a critical mass that restores the past while energizing future development.  As an integral part of the downtown's historic character, the project retains and celebrates the city's existing mill heritage by weaving it back into the community.

Last June, at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Senator Bob Odell said:

"What we will remember for decades will be the men and women who did this…visitors will come and say…how great that those people saved these buildings and put them to good use."

 
Joyce McKay
for outstanding contributions to the protection, preservation and public understanding of historic resources in New Hampshire
 
There are state and federal laws that require consultation between transportation and preservation interests. In New Hampshire, we are incredibly fortunate that our agencies have recognized the importance of their responsibility and created a process to meet these requirements that has yielded not only protection for historic resources, but also a significant contribution to the body of research and understanding of New Hampshire's built environment. In the last ten years, this program has been solidified by Dr. Joyce McKay, Cultural Resources Manager for the NH Department of Transportation. Her efforts have brought respect for historical and archeological resources and a high degree of collegiality and productivity to the federal review process in New Hampshire. 

Joyce holds a masters degree in History Museum Training from Cooperstown Graduate Program, State University of New York, and a Ph.D. in Historical Archaeology from Brown University. She came to the Granite State after working in Iowa, South Dakota and the upper Midwest for both government agencies and as a consultant.  Because she is a professional historian herself, she is able to help consultants, agency officials and members of the community understand the significance of the interrelationship of artifacts, architecture and history, and therefore develop appropriate measures to protect them. Since she arrived in 2000, Joyce has overseen many hundreds of reviews addressing highway relocations, bridge replacements, and a myriad of other projects, with what colleagues describe as a "firm yet fair expectation of excellence that has inspired others to do their very best."
Although she is known for the work she does at her desk - reviewing every line of consultants' reports, she is remembered for the times when she appears in the field! Petit Joyce is intrepid and amazingly agile -holding the tape to measure long-abandoned, fragile buildings; crawling through deep mud and around fallen slabs in collapsing stone culvers; wading streams to check out mill and dam ruins; scaling steep slopes to follow planning corridors and check rights of way; avoiding high-speed highway traffic and slow-going moose and bears in the back country. Joyce has also mastered the art of getting 48 hours of solid accomplishment out of every 24!
Joyce is always seeking to learn more, constantly thinking deeply and broadly about resource protection and its ramifications. She is wise, principled, and an admired role model who exemplifies the highest qualities of what it means to be an intellectual and a public servant. 

Clean Air-Cool Planet for advocacy and education via their guide: Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation.

In a society like ours where "green" is often equated with "new," and replacement window advertisements drown out those of the window repairers, it's exciting to celebrate the excellent work of Clean Air-Cool Planet's new guide: "Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation."
In 40 pages, the guide details ways to employ energy efficiency measures and renewable energy without detracting from the historic value of properties, from private residences to community buildings and museums. The guides revisits some of the lessons old buildings can teach us and provides a bridge over the perceived divide between preservationists and those concerned with climate and energy issues.
The guide was researched and written by Meghan Giuliano and Virginia Way, two of the organization's climate Fellows.  Giuliano interned on Nantucket Island, and Way was based at Strawbery Banke Museum. The NH Division of Historical Resources, Strawbery Banke, Nantucket Island Historic District Commission, architects, restoration contractors, energy auditors and renewable energy vendors from ME, MA and NH contributed to the research and publication.
While project sponsors recognize that the guide alone cannot overcome the common misconceptions in older buildings, it offers an effective tool for engagement. The guide purposefully offers few specific techniques, because of the project leader's belief that every building is different and that conversation leads to success.

 
 
Portsmouth Housing Development Ltd.
for rehabilitation and adaptive use of the former Lafayette School

The Lafayette School, a two-story brick building in the Colonial Revival style, was built in 1914.  Architect Clarence P. Hoyt's design for the school embodied many "modern" theories for its time, including rooms well-lit by large windows, a convection system of ventilation and spacious corridors. 

Lafayette discontinued being a school in the late 1980s, and was permanently vacated in 1997.  Over the next decade, many proposals for the reuse of the building were broached by non-profit and for-profit entities, but the need to protect the adjacent park and the residential character of the neighborhood made finding an acceptable re-use challenging.

In 2006, the Portsmouth Housing Authority proposed the development of ten affordable units for seniors.  The proposal allowed for the protection of the park and residential character of the neighborhood as well as re-use of this historic building.

Careful rehabilitation of the Lafayette School allowed for the retention of many original elements, including a school bell, a Cold-War era siren, chalkboards, light fixtures and stair rails.

Ruth Griffin, Chair of the Portsmouth Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners said of the former Lafayette School:

"It's open and full of life again…and there's nothing any more wonderful than an old building given new life."

Town of Hancock
for outstanding stewardship of the Town Common and other initiatives

The Town of Hancock was incorporated in 1779.  It was named in honor of John Hancock, well known signer of the Declaration of Independence, and owner of over 1,000 acres in the community.  Almost every building on Main Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

In 2002, the town conducted a two-day forum to determine which specific projects might enhance the character and quality of life in Hancock.  A major outcome was a strong desire tto restore and enhance the historic village center through the removal of above-ground utility lines and power poles in and around the Common.

Forum participants created the Village Planning Committee, and determined the project would cost $220,000.  The team became experts on "undergrounding" after research of models around the state and country, the Hancock Improvement Association raised all the needed money from a combination of individuals, corporations and grants.

After gaining cooperation and coordination from three utilities, the utility lines strung across Hancock's historic common vanished, buried in more than 5,000 feet of conduit one year ago tomorrow.

Our awards committee noted that this work built on a strong foundation of citizen initiatives that have aided the village center ranging from creating a historic district and keeping the post office in the village to renovating the library and depot.
The Heart of Hancock campaign brochure says it all:

"In the past, Hancock's citizens have envisioned a change and voted and donated to create the town we love today…Each time people could have done nothing, but…they took the long view…This is what we love about this town."

Castle Preservation Society and Lakes Region Conservation Trust
for outstanding restoration and on-going stewardship of Castle-in-the-Clouds

Castle in the Clouds was built in 1913-1914 by Thomas Plant, a shoe industrialist.  Originally called "Lucknow," the home is constructed of steel, with an exterior façade of hand cut, five-sided stone veneer. If you haven't been there, you should go. This contrast of traditional and modern that was fundamental to its original design goes beyond the stone and steel to things like hand-crafted light fixtures and a central vacuum system.

The Castle Preservation Society began a multi-year restoration plan for this significant landmark four years ago, with the goal of restoring the entire estate to its former grandeur by 2014, the Castle's 100th anniversary. 

The Society began with a high-quality analysis of the structure's history and needs, has assembled a tremendous team of experts, and has pursued national register and national historic landmark listing. These are just a few of the projects which have been completed to date in this project that is exceptional for its scale and quality:

• Rebuilding of Carriage House patio
• Repair of four chimneys
• Repair of a major basement water problem
• Replacement of Carriage House garage roof
• Installation of custom-designed storm windows & door panels
• Repair of all broken and malfunctioning door hardware
• Rebuilding Library alcove roof & restoring its adjacent window dormer

Work is now underway on the large second floor window dormer.

The level of community support for Castle-in-the-Clouds has been exceptional.  In 2002, nearly 2,000 donors contributed $5,900,000 for the purchase of the 5,500 acre property; many of these same donors have continued their support for the restoration work.

 
Jeananne Farrar

Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award for outstanding preservation advocacy and education

In less than two decades, Jeananne Farrar has built a lengthy and impressive resume of preservation activities in Keene. Through her creativity and remarkable ability to persuade, she has inspired many to incorporate preservation into their plans. 
When she was two, her family moved their shoe manufacturing business to Keene, and she has lived there almost all her entire life. People in Keene and across the state are fortunate that her long-held love of history and her concern for her city turned into nearly full-time preservation volunteerism in the 1990s.

She has successfully advocated for significant landmarks ranging from Civil War-era mill buildings and the 1819 Colony House to a stone-arch railroad bridge, churches and a school in the downtown business district. She has secured major grants for preservation work as well as very competitive national preservation designations for Keene - Dozen Distinctive Destinations and Preserve America community -- in 2003 and 2005.

Among her most notable achievements is her persistent, collaborative work to establish the city's first heritage commission and its first local historic district, which encompasses all of downtown and is one of the larger such districts in the state.

Always looking ahead, she has recently helped geography students at Keene State College better understand preservation, and is completing work to establish a second downtown historic district. In addition to leading the heritage and historic district commissions, she is serving on the boards of the Foundation for the Preservation of Keene, Historical Society of Cheshire County, Keene Academy Fund, and N.H. Preservation Alliance. She is a sought-after mentor who brings new research, accumulated experience, broad perspective, grace and humor to every new task.