Preservation Awards
Annual
Preservation Awards
Each year Historic Columbia celebrates Preservation Month through an awards program recognizing notable examples of preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration projects that have maintained or added to Columbia and Richland County’s historical, architectural, and cultural heritage.
On May 11, 2023, gather with staff, volunteers, and members in commemorating Preservation Month through Historic Columbia’s annual preservation awards ceremony at the Pool at 701 Whaley—the recipient of a rehabilitation award in 2022. Please join us for drinks and light hors d'oeuvres followed by the awards presentation.
While the winners remain a secret until the event, Historic Columbia is excited to present a total of eight awards this year. Won't you join us to find out who won?
A limited number of tickets are available, so don't wait—buy your tickets today!
Nominate
Award Categories
In its efforts to be a vocal advocate for historic preservation and provide a range of resources for people who want to preserve buildings, Historic Columbia celebrates excellence in preservation by issuing awards each year under the following categories:
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Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration (commercial, institutional, rental, or municipal)
- This award celebrates commercial, institutional, rental, or municipal projects that follow the National Park Service's definitions of preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration.
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Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration (residential/single family)
- Historic Columbia’s Preservation, Rehabilitation or Restoration (Residential) award recognizes projects that follow the same, previously listed definitions, but applied to single-family homes.
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Revitalization (any ownership or use)
- This award may include renovations to historic properties that are not academically correct, or new construction in a historic district that is of exceptional quality or sparks new investment. Recognizes a project or work that makes a special contribution to the community and/or a pioneering investment in historic districts in need of revitalization.
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Preservation Leadership
- Nominations in this category recognize an individual, corporation, governmental agency, community, or neighborhood association that has significantly contributed to the advancement of historic preservation in the community
- Nominations in this category recognize an individual, corporation, governmental agency, community, or neighborhood association that has significantly contributed to the advancement of historic preservation in the community
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Required Materials Checklist
Historic Columbia has prepared a list of materials needed for each award type. Please ensure this check list is completed submitting your nomination. Download required materials checklist now.
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Best Practices in Nominations
To prepare the most effective nomination form, please review Historic Columbia's best practices in nominations prior to completing and submitting your application. Review quick tips now.
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Nominate Now
If you have reviewed the required materials check list and best practices resources, please complete the nomination form by March 6, 2023.
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Review Committee
Each nomination will be reviewed by the Preservation Awards Committee made up of nine local leaders in architecture, interior design, and urban planning.
Nomination and Selection Process
Early February 2023
Nominations Open
Historic Columbia calls for nominations. Submissions should follow the best practices outlined by Historic Columbia. Nominations are limited to projects in Columbia and Richland County completed within the past five years. Leadership awards have no time limit.
March 6, 2023
Nominations Due
Nominations must be received by Historic Columbia’s Director of Preservation John Sherrer by March 6, 2023.
Early March
Review Process
Historic Columbia assembles in early March its preservation awards committee of nine local leaders in architecture, interior design, and urban planning reviews nominations. Meet the committee!
Submissions are weighed for the nominated party’s level of excellence in preservation and for the ability of the nomination to supply needed information. Applicants should review best practices before submission.
Early April
Winners Notified
Applicants will be notified in early April by Historic Columbia’s Executive Director of the committee’s decisions.
May 11, 2023
Preservation Awards Ceremony
Winners, nominees, and all preservation advocates and community members are invited. Learn more.
Celebrate
Be a vocal preservationist by engaging in Historic Columbia’s annual events and programs that acknowledge excellence maintaining important tangible links to our built culture.
