The California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) recently announced five winners of the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards, an annual honor that recognizes projects that preserve California’s history and heritage.
“The dedication of California citizens to celebrate and commemorate the places and stories important to them is nothing short of inspiring. We are fortunate to continue to expand the rich mosaic of our shared heritage,” State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco said in a press release. “It is an honor to recognize the efforts of our communities with this awards program.”
Established in 1986, The Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards Program places emphasis on projects led by community groups, and honors a range of preservation activities, including building preservation and rehabilitation, archeology, education, and planning for historic resource management.
The 2022 winners are listed below. All project descriptions are courtesy of the Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards.
Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards
Angel Island Immigration Station Hospital
San Francisco
“[The) project that brought together, through strong community support and fundraising, a well-executed rehabilitation of a historic resource to preserve and tell the full story of Angel Island, the ‘Ellis Island of the West.’”
First Congregational Church of Long Beach
Long Beach, California
“The First Congregational Church of Long Beach project employed innovative techniques to preserve a historic resource held in high regard by both the church congregant and the greater community, ensuring the property will continue to be an active presence in the life of the city.”
Old Orange County Courthouse
Santa Ana, California
“[The initiative] succeeded in repairing and restoring the unique, red Arizona sandstone facade and other defining features of a landmark, historic government building, preserving the character and value of a resource much treasured by the community.”
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Headquarters Building
Sacramento
“Completed in 1960, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Headquarters building brought a significant International Style modernist icon to the Sacramento region. Originally designed by architects Albert M. Dreyfuss, and Leonard D. Blackford of Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects, and landscape architects Ralph Jones and Scott Beamer, the project received national and international attention for its forward-thinking technology that remains relevant today.”
“Save As: NextGen Heritage Conservation”
Los Angeles
“‘Save As: NextGen Heritage Conservation’ innovatively employs a podcast format to advance the work and mission of historic preservation, making current scholarship accessible to new audiences, connecting history with contemporary life and social issues, and literally amplifying the voices of emerging leaders in heritage conservation.”
California State Parks Director Armando Quintero and State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco will give out the awards on March 30 during a ceremony in Sacramento.
Nominations for the 2023 awards are being accepted until May 8. More details can be found here.
