Historic Athens Preservation Awards
Join us on May 17, 2026 to celebrate the 57th Annual Preservation Award Winners
Each May in honor of National Historic Preservation Month, Historic Athens recognizes distinguished projects, people, and organizations who have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation.
For nearly 60 years, our annual Preservation Awards have celebrated the vision, dedication, and craftsmanship that helps to maintain a sense of place in Athens-Clarke County.
From projects that preserve our historic structures, to conservation efforts, grassroots advocacy, educational publications and programs, and festivals that celebrate our rich history, we have honored over 500 awardees since these awards were first introduced by the founders of our organization.
2026 Key Dates
January 26 - Nominations Open
February 28 - Nominations Close
May 17 - 57th Preservation Awards Ceremony + Spring Showcase
Award Categories & Criteria
Outstanding Rehabilitation: The category honors excellence in the wholesale rehabilitation of a structure. Rehabilitation is defined as the act of returning a dilapidated, neglected, and/or damaged property to a state of utility through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient, contemporary use while preserving those portions or features that are significant to its historical, architectural, and cultural integrity. Whenever possible, projects should comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
Outstanding Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Building: The category recognizes the successful adaptive reuse of a historic building for a new purpose. Projects will be judged based on sensitivity to the building’s character-defining features and architectural integrity, innovative design solutions, and impact on the local community. Examples may include a gas station to a restaurant, a warehouse to shared office space, a residential building to an inn, etc.
Outstanding Restoration: Restoration is defined as: “The act or process of accurately recovering the form and details of a property and its setting as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of later work or by the replacement of missing earlier work.” This award is presented to restoration projects of exemplary quality completed in the course of the last three years. Consistent employment of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Restoration is a necessary qualification.
Outstanding Revitalization: This award recognizes efforts to preserve the historic fabric of a structure for modern purposes. The act of revitalization makes a space suitable for today's lifestyles while also preserving character-defining features whenever possible. These projects breathe new life into dilapidated or otherwise neglected structures, finding the best possible way to create preservation within the fabric of existing features and materials.
Outstanding New Construction in a Historic Area: Exclusively for new construction, this category recognizes architectural designs in a local historic district, National Register District, or older neighborhood that are contemporary yet compatible to their surroundings. Projects may include an individual structure or an addition to a historic structure. Considerations for individual structures include scale, massing, setback, materials, roof shape, window openings and compatibility of overall design. Considerations for additions to historic structures include subordinance to the original structure, massing, materials, roof shape, window openings and compatibility of overall design.
Outstanding Achievement: Recognizing exemplary activities in the field of historic preservation, this award is presented to persons, groups, businesses, and government entities for a wide variety of projects and accomplishments. Examples may include: contribution to the advancement of and/or having a positive impact on the field of historic preservation; consistent employment of standard preservation practices, particularly those stipulated in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties; completion of historic preservation-related projects that involve a broad scope and/or scale.
Publications & Programs: The category honors innovative and successful programs/publications that make a lasting contribution to our knowledge and understanding of local history, heritage and historic preservation. Examples include printed materials, websites, social media efforts, and educational workshops.
The Milton Leathers Award for Grassroots Preservation: The category honors individuals or groups that have used collective action to make a significant contribution to local preservation and heritage through education and advocacy campaigns.
Stewardship: The award for Stewardship is given to an individual or organization in recognition of exceptional long-term care of a historic property, structure, or site in the strictest sense of preservation.
Innovative Solutions in Preservation: The category recognizes projects that exhibit sensitive and creative solutions to older or historic buildings without compromising integrity or character. A broad range of work will be considered, including incorporating issues of sustainability, technology, and integration of accessibility improvements.
