2008 Marks the 30th Anniversary of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Preservation Awards
Public encouraged to nominate deserving individuals, projects and organizations
The deadline will soon be here for nominations to be received for 2008 Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Preservation Awards, presented annually to individuals, organizations and projects that have made a significant contribution to the preservation of Kentucky’s heritage. Awards are announced each year during a ceremony in May, in conjunction with activities recognizing May as National Preservation Month.
Nominations must be submitted to the Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office, 300 Washington Street, Frankfort, KY, 40601, in person or via mail or fax at 502-564-5820. All entries must be postmarked by Saturday, March 15.
Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Preservation Awards recognize those who have demonstrated an understanding of and an appreciation for the value of preserving and reusing Kentucky’s historic and prehistoric resources, whether through the restoration of an important building, structure or community resource or through a lifetime commitment to encouraging and promoting historic preservation. Awards are presented in three categories:
- Preservation Project Awards recognize outstanding examples of restoration or rehabilitation of historic buildings, or other types of projects that have had a positive impact on Kentucky’s built environment.
- Service to Preservation Awards honor those who have furthered historic preservation activities or have had a positive impact in their communities, including individuals, organizations, public officials, financial institutions, news media, and/or volunteers.
- The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award goes to the individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the cause of historic preservation in the Commonwealth. The 2007 honoree was long-time Kentucky Historic Preservation Officer David L. Morgan.
Nominations will be reviewed and awards made by a panel of judges representing various historical organizations across the state, including the Kentucky Heritage Council and members of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation.
The foundation was chartered in 1979 to honor Ida Lee Willis, the first executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Commission (now the Kentucky Heritage Council) and widow of former Governor Simeon Willis. It was during Mrs. Willis’ tenure that Kentucky’s successful statewide historic preservation program was initiated.
In addition, the ceremony will recognize 2008 winners from the 10th Annual Statewide Photo-Essay Competition, sponsored by the Kentucky Heritage Council and Preservation Kentucky, Inc., open to all Kentucky schoolchildren in grades 1-12. The 2008 theme, Restore-Reuse-Recycle, is intended to encourage students to think and write about the benefits of reusing and recycling historic places. The deadline for entries in this competition is also Saturday, March 15.
Winning photos and student essays from previous years are available online at Preservation Kentucky’s Web site, www.preservationkentucky.org. 
 |
For More Information |
 |
Becky Shipp
Kentucky Heritage Council
(502) 564-7005, ext. 133
becky.shipp@ky.gov
|