Community Stewardship Awards
2026 Awards - Call for Nominations
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Community Stewardship Awards. These awards honor the people, organizations, and projects that exemplify excellence, leadership, and dedication in historic preservation across our state.
For decades, the Community Stewardship Awards have showcased the powerful impact of preservation in Utah—revitalized buildings, strengthened neighborhoods, and individuals whose vision ensures our heritage endures. In this milestone 60th anniversary year, we are honored to recognize those whose work continues to shape a more vibrant, resilient, and story-rich Utah.
Save the Date
Location: Memorial House, Memory Grove Park
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Reception: 9:00–10:00 AM
Award Ceremony: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Awardees and project team members—including owners, developers, architects, designers, contractors, and craftspeople—will be honored during the ceremony.
2026 Awards Important Dates
Nominations Open: December 1, 2025
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026
Jury Review: February 9–27, 2026
Awardees Notified: Week of March 9
Event Registration Opens: March 31, 2026
Awards Ceremony: April 28, 2026
Who should be nominated?
We welcome nominations that reflect the broad spectrum of preservation activity across Utah. Eligible nominees include:
Preservation Projects
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Rehabilitation or restoration of historic buildings
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Adaptive reuse projects that give new life to historic spaces
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Preservation of cultural landscapes, monuments, industrial sites, and other historic structures
People & Organizations
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Homeowners, craftspeople, architects, developers, planners, and community leaders
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Nonprofits, grassroots advocates, and agencies advancing preservation
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Legacy businesses and heritage organizations (30+ years)
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Industry experts whose technical excellence strengthens Utah’s preservation field
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Individuals deserving of the Lucybeth Rampton lifetime achievement award
If the work protects historic fabric, strengthens community identity, or contributes meaningfully to Utah’s preservation landscape, we want to see it.
Award Categories
Project Based
Rehabilitation and Restoration
Historic buildings or sites that have been stabilized, renovated, or restored. Residential, commercial, civic, and religious projects are considered. Projects must be completed by the time of application and within the past five years to be eligible.
Adaptive Reuse
Historic buildings or sites successfully adapted for a new use. Residential, commercial, civic, and religious projects are considered. Projects must be completed within the past five years, and tenants must be in place to be eligible.
People and Organizations
Individuals
Includes those who have significantly contributed to historic preservation in Utah in the past five years or exemplified the value of stewardship by preserving the historic character of a historic building or site over time through regular and appropriate maintenance.
The individuals who receive this award may represent a variety of disciplines and may be volunteers, grassroots activists, government agencies, or paid professionals.
Legacy Businesses and Heritage Organizations
This category includes businesses and non-profit or community organizations that are 30 years old or older and have significantly improved/contributed to the history and culture of their town or neighborhood. They must be active members of their community and able to show their contributions.
Industry
Experts
Recognizing professionals who have significantly advanced the preservation field through their expertise, leadership, and innovative practices. These individuals set the standard for excellence in preserving our shared heritage.
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Windows: Honoring outstanding work in window preservation and restoration, including the meticulous repair, replication, or innovation that balances historic authenticity with modern functionality.
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Masonry: Celebrating excellence in masonry restoration, from stone and brick to intricate facades, showcasing craftsmanship that preserves the enduring beauty and structural integrity of historic buildings.
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Architects: Highlighting architects who have demonstrated extraordinary vision and dedication in designing projects that respect, restore, and reimagine historic spaces while maintaining their original character.
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Researchers: Acknowledging those who delve into the past to uncover the stories, techniques, and cultural contexts that inform and inspire preservation efforts. Their work ensures that history guides our future.
Lifetime Achievement
The Lucybeth Rampton Award
Presented to individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to historic preservation and whose vision and activities have significantly improved/contributed to the preservation movement in Utah.
Project Eligibility
Projects must:
Demonstrate outstanding achievement in historic preservation
Be fully completed by the nomination deadline
Have been completed within the last five years
Meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation, restoration, or treatment
Provide photographic documentation (before, during, after)
Judging Criteria
The jury evaluates nominations based on:
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Preservation of original historic fabric
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Sensitivity to historic integrity and context
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Quality of design, craftsmanship, and work
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Creativity and effectiveness of adaptation
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Community impact and long-term benefit
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Use of historic research to support decisions
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Adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
Additional Considerations
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Impact on historic preservation in the community
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Use of historic research materials to document decisions made during the process
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Importance of the project to the long-term preservation of the building
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Impact, or potential impact, of the project on the surrounding community
About the Jury
A jury of professionals from historic preservation, architecture, landscape architecture, archaeology, history, government, private industry, planning, and education will review the nominations and select the awardees. The jury will evaluate each nomination on its merit and reserves the right to make multiple or no awards in each category.
Submission Instructions
All submissions must be digital and include:
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Up to 30 JPEG images showing before, during, and after conditions
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Photo descriptions and credits (Word document)
Project Partners Form
Each nomination must include a complete list of all project partners—owners, architects, contractors, engineers, consultants, and others—listed exactly as they should appear on award materials. Nominators are responsible for accurate spelling and firm names. Please make sure to include everyone who was part of the project team so that all contributors are recognized and invited.
Images
All entries must include images. For projects, an image of the building or structure's front elevation as it appears today. Other images that help convey the before-and-after conditions for the judges include current views of different elevations, historic photographs, shots of details, views of original conditions, work in progress, and the completed project. Other supporting documentation, such as technical drawings, may be submitted if they help explain the project. Include interior photos of publicly accessible spaces, and address interior rehabilitation in the project narrative (for residential properties). For individuals and industry experts, we request images of activity, preservation work, and before and after for projects, etc.
Submit digital photos in a JPEG format via a file-sharing service (such as Google Drive) to liz @ preservationutah.org or on a flash drive, along with the Nomination Form and list of Project Partners. Identify all images and limit the number to no more than 30. Do not email images directly.
Supporting materials/media are not returnable. Submission of photographs and all other material authorizes Preservation Utah to use them for judging and award presentations and to publish such material during its activities. Preservation Utah reserves the right to use submitted images in presentations, reports, press releases, web postings, or any other formats.