November 20, 2008

The first annual Newton Preservation Awards were presented on Thursday, November 20, 2008 to recipients in the categories of Residential Architecture, Stewardship, Public/Commercial Architecture, and Personal Achievement.

Click on the image above to see a slide show of the Newton Preservation Award winners.

The Newton Preservation Awards recognizes projects that highlight the preservation of Newton's historic buildings and landscapes, promote historic preservation, and build connections between people who are dedicated to Newton's historic preservation.

2008 award recipients in the category of Residential Architecture include:

• 1038 Centre Street, Newton Center
• 999 Chestnut Street, Newton Upper Falls
• 357 Central Street, Auburndale
• 11 Chester Street, Newton Highlands
• 283-285 Auburndale Avenue, Auburndale

The award for Stewardship was presented to Park Friends, Inc. in recognition of the organization's rehabilitation of Newtonville's Washington Park.

John Rodman, former Board member of the Newton History Museum, received the Thelma Fleishman Personal Achievement award for his public advocacy of historic preservation through his 14 years of volunteer service on the Newton Historical Commission.. This award is named in honor of Thelma Fleishman (1922-2008), who worked tirelessly for the Newton History Museum at The Jackson Homestead as a volunteer whose passionate interest in Newton's history motivated her to volunteer in the Newton History Museum archives for more than 20 years, where she assisted researchers, cataloged items in the collection, and contributed to exhibition research. She also wrote nine books, including Looking at Newton (1988), and Where Newton Began: A guide to the East Parish Burying Grounds (2004).

Award recipients were chosen by jurists including Lawrence Bauer, AIA, of Solomon + Bauer Architects; Candace Havens, Chief Planner, City of Newton; Barbara Levy, member of the Massachusetts Historical Commission; Clarissa Rowe, landscape architect at Brown, Richardson & Rowe; Dennis Rieske, AIA, Development Resources; and Jay Walter, Vice President of the Newton Historical Society.

The Preservation Awards was coordinated by the Newton Historical Society, with assistance from the Newton History Museum and the Newton Historical Commission.

Award Recipients for 2008

1. 1038 Centre Street, nominated by Ruth Kantar in the Residential Exterior Restoration category, presented by Jay Walter. For skillful and meticulous restoration of elaborately detailed exterior of 1890s Victorian house, using environmentally-sustainable but historically-sensitive materials. Presented to:
   
   • Henry and Patricia DeGroot, homeowners
   • Jonathan & Ruth Kantar, Sage Builders

2. 999 Chestnut Street, Donald Lang, self-nominated in the category of Residential Restoration. Presented by Dave Morton. For complete restoration of 1825 Greek Revival cottage in Newton Upper Falls. Creative and thoughtful use of existing space, use of historically appropriate materials, and excellent landscape design. Presented to: Donald Lang, homeowner/ architect.

3. 357 Central Street, nominated by Nancy Grissom in the category of Residential Exterior Restoration. Presented by Greer Hardwicke. For restoration of a dilapidated 1880s Queen Anne house and beautiful landscaping, returning the property to its former glory. Presented to:
   
   • Dave Fontenot, Fontenot Contracting
   • Doug McGregor, Fontenot Contracting
   • Mark Geffen, son of former owner
   • Homeowners, Chung Hsu and Becky Lam

4. 11 Chester Street, nominated by Jay Walter in the category of Residential Exterior Restoration. Presented by Dave Morton. For returning the 1880s Mansard home's façade to a style that more closely matches the original than the previous renovation. Presented to:
   
   • Shara Lewis and Flip Ruben, homeowners
   • Jay Walter, Entasis, PC, architects
   • Eric Lessa, general contractor
   • Brian and Barbara Quinn, New View Construction
   • Mike Downing, Downing Landscape Construction
   • Karen Howard, Howard Garden Designs
   • Steve Blossom, Blossom Studio, paint consultant

5. 283-285 Auburndale Avenue, self-nominated in the category of Residential Addition and Renovation. Presented by Greer Hardwicke. Presented to: Julie Scaramella and John Downie, homeowners/architect.

6. 111 Temple Street, self-nominated by LDa in the category of Residential Addition and Renovation. Presented by Cindy Stone. For excellent restoration of the 1897 Shingle-Style house façade and interior elements, and creative addition of a rear porch and dramatic backyard landscaping. Presented to:
   
   • LDa Architecture and Interiors
   • Tom Silva, Silva Brothers Construction
   • Stephanie Hubbard, Site Creative Landscaping (landscape architect)
   • Roger Cook, Roger Cook Landscaping (landscape contractor)
   • Abbey Koplovitz, AbbeyK, Inc. (interior designer)
   • This Old House, Deborah Hood, producer
   • Rich Trethewey, heating, a/c, and plumbing contractor

7. Park Friends, Inc., nominated by Brian Lever, Katy Holmes, and Loren Lidsky in the category of Stewardship. Presented by Jay Walter. For the volunteer group's dedication to going through the CPA process to rehabilitate Washington Park in Newtonville, a project which included landscaping, a new irrigation system, and installation of historically appropriate lighting, park benches, and historic signage. Presented to Park Friends, Inc., President Kurt Makert and Treasurer Nathan Cobb.

8. Newton Corner Branch Library, nominated by Jay Walter in the category Restoration of a Public/Commercial Building and Historic Landscape Element. Presented to Russel Feldman, TBA Architects, by Jay Walter, for organization of restoration, design, and construction of the Newton Corner Branch Library, and for restoration and relocation of the gazebo to its original location at the library, including recruitment of North Bennett Street School to contribute construction services for the gazebo. Awarded to:
   
   • Russel Feldman, TBA Architects
   • Nick Parnell, Head, Public Buildings Department, City of Newton
   • Preservation Carpentry Department, North Bennet Street School

9. John Rodman, nominated by Donald Lang for the Thelma Fleishman Award for Personal Achievement. Presented by Cindy Stone. For his commitment to and public advocacy of historic preservation through his 14 years of volunteer service on the Newton Historical Commission; his work toward creating the Commission; high level of leadership; sensitivity to applicants; and effective use of legal background and knowledge.

Historic Newton/The Jackson Homestead and Museum Historic Newton is a public-private partnership between the City of Newton and the Newton Historical Society, Inc, a non-profit organization Questions or comments: Email © 2010 Historic Newton