The annual Maine Preservation Honor Awards have celebrated excellence in historic preservation since 1998, focusing on the transformative rehabilitation of historic buildings and the people that make those projects possible. We also want to recognize the grassroots efforts of folks advocating for important places in their communities, the creative activation of underused open spaces, the long haulers who steward historic buildings across the state, and the legacy businesses that serve as cornerstones of our downtowns. It is through these projects and people that the cultural and economic vitality of Maine is strengthened for the future.

2025 Honor Awards - Call for Nominations

Know a rehabilitation project, passionate community advocate, or creative placekeeping initiative that deserves to be celebrated? Nominations are now being accepted until January 10, 2025!

The Honor Awards will recognize preservation efforts such as

Projects that have substantially improved historic properties, neighborhoods, or spaces, including:

• Restoration and rehabilitation

• Adaptive reuse of historic buildings and structures

• Placekeeping initiatives that leverage historic spaces and fabric to enhance quality of life and sense of place

Individuals, community groups, businesses or organizations that successfully advocated for and/or saved historic spaces in their communities, through actions including:

• Fundraising campaigns

• Legislative action

• Citizen engagement and petitions

Leaders who have made a long-term statewide impact on historic preservation.

Programs and initiatives that prepare the next generation of Mainers to steward our built heritage.

Other projects, people, and longstanding businesses that exude the spirit of preservation.

Construction projects should have substantially improved historic properties, neighborhoods, or spaces and been completed within the past three years or scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2024. Multi-phase project nominations will only be considered following full project completion.

Maine Preservation staff and Board of Trustees will select award recipients. Honorees will be notified in early February and recognized at our in-person Honor Awards program on March 25.

How to Submit a Nomination:

1. Review the Nomination Guide and gather the requested information and accompanying documentation.

2. Complete the online Nomination Form. This is a Google Form that will automatically be submitted upon completion. If all information is compiled prior to beginning, the nomination form should take 10-15 minutes to complete. You will receive a copy of your completed form upon submission and will have the opportunity to update your answers using the edit link provided in the email.

Questions? Contact us at info@mainepreservation.org

2024 HONOR AWARDS CELEBRATION

On March 21, Maine Preservation held a ceremony for its Honor Awards at Union + Co in Bath, recognizing 8 rehabilitation projects and one preservation advocate.

Photos by Joshua Langlais

2024 Honor Award Winners

Thank you to our Sponsors:

The Honor Awards are made possible through the generous contributions of our corporate sponsors. Opportunities to support our three signature events in 2024 are still available.

Maine Preservation Honor Awards

Project Locations

2023 HONOR AWARDS CELEBRATION

On March 22, Maine Preservation held a ceremony for its Honor Awards at the Maine Maritime Museum, recognizing 10 rehabilitation projects and one preservation advocate.

2023 honor award winners

2022 Honor Awards Celebration

On March 22, Maine Preservation held its annual Honor Awards. Since 1998, the organization has celebrated excellence in historic preservation, focusing on the transformative rehabilitation of historic buildings and the people that make those projects possible.

View the full program and learn more about the winners below.

Read the News Release

2022 Honor Award Winners

2020 Honor Awards Celebration

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Maine Preservation’s signature annual event was held online in 2020 with the week-long celebration of preservation successes, culminating in a terrific, LIVE online party on November 12, 2020. Read on to learn more and see 2020’s winning projects!

At the live, online event, we shared stories from the award winners and revealed the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

View the full program here (show begins at 10:15 minute mark)":

See below for detailed information, including photographs and our presentation video, available for each winner.

our 2020 Honor Award Winners:

2019 Honor Awards CelebratioN

Maine Preservation’s Honor Awards ceremony took place on Wednesday, November 20 at the Portland Country Club with 160 industry pros, preservationists, and old place lovers in attendance. The 2019 Honor Awards recognized 12 projects, plus Renys Inc. for its commitment to Maine’s downtowns and the Isle Au Haut Lighthouse Swimmers for their innovative approach to fundraising for preservation.

Read our press release rounding up the 2019 Honor Awards winners.

Read coverage of the Honor Awards in MaineBiz.

Detailed information, including photographs and our presentation video, are available for each winner.

our 2019 Honor Award Winners:

2018 Honor Awards

Detailed information, including photographs and our presentation video, are available for each winner.

our 2018 Honor Award Winners:

View the location of Honor Awards Winners.

2017 Honor Awards

2016 Honor Award Recipients

2015 Honor Award Recipients

2014 Honor Award Recipients

2013 Honor Award Recipients

2012 Honor Award Recipients