Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas

Press Release

13 Honored for work to preserve distinctive historic places in Arkansas

Little Rock - On January 13, 2012 the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas celebrated its annual preservation excellence awards with an event honoring individuals and organizations for projects focused on historic sites throughout the state.

The Arkansas Preservation Awards are given each year to recognize the important work being done throughout Arkansas to preserve and protect places of historical or cultural importance. “The Historic Preservation Alliance is pleased to recognize these wonderful projects from around Arkansas. An important part of fostering a vibrant local economy includes preserving and revitalizing historic areas and structures, which often represent the foundations of our communities. By maintaining and restoring these areas, we are investing in the economic vitality and sense of community that make our towns and cities across the State special places to live.” said Vanessa McKuin, Executive Director of the Alliance.

2011 Arkansas Preservation Award recipients:

Bobby Roberts, director of the Central Arkansas Library System and co-founder of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas received the Parker Westbrook Award for Lifetime Achievement in preservation. Dr. Roberts was recognized for his commitment throughout his career to preservation, which most visibly takes the form of adaptive use of several historic buildings for the Central Arkansas Library and Arkansas Studies Institute in the River Market district of Little Rock. Dr. Roberts also served on the State Review Board of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena and is a respected scholar of Civil War history and photographs.

Ann Ballard Bryan, a clinical instructor at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway received the award for Excellence in Preservation Education for developing and implementing curriculum in historic preservation in UCA’s Interior Design program.

Mark Wilcken, Producer of Clean Lines Open Spaces: A View of Mid-Century Architecture, received the award for Outstanding Preservation Reporting in the Media for the documentary film which Wilcken produced for Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN).

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville received the award for Excellence in Preservation through Rehabilitation for Peabody Hall. The project team conducted a sensitive rehabilitation of the 1913 educational building to create a state-of-the art facility to prepare teachers for the 21st Century classroom.

An honorable mention for Excellence in Preservation through Rehabilitation was given to Fellowship Bible Church in Batesville for bringing the 1906 Landers Theater back from the brink and adapting it for use as a church and community center.

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith received an award for Excellence in Preservation through Restoration for the Drennen-Scott House in Van Buren. The house, which dates back to c. 1838 serves as a museum, and educational facility for the Historic Sites Interpretation Program, archeologists and the public.

The City of Blytheville received an award for Excellence in Preservation through Restoration for the c. 1937 Art Moderne Greyhound Bus Station, which is now used as a visitor center, offices for Main Street Blytheville and event space.

Beshears Construction of Fort Smith received an honorable mention for Excellence in Preservation through Restoration for the c. 1938 Greenwood High School Gymnasium for Greenwood Public Schools. The building, built under the Works Progress Administration will continue to serve the community of Greenwood as a gym and public event space.

LtGen John Baker, USAF (retired) and Judi Baker received the award for Excellence in Personal Projects for rehabilitation of their home on Mount Nebo. Originally built as an annex for the Summit Park Hotel, the c. 1889 Baker House blends modern amenities with historic character, giving the Bakers their dream home.

Little Rock’s Quapaw Quarter Association received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Advocacy for Preservation Conversations, a series of monthly programs focusing on historic building and preservation-related issues and advocating for use of tools and incentives.

The Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock received the award for Outstanding New Construction in a Historic Setting for a Reconstruction of the 1823 William Woodruff Print Shop. Built with methods and materials appropriate to the period, the print shop is used in interpretation of the history of the Arkansas Gazette and the man who printed it.

Ethel Goodstein-Murphree of Fayetteville received the Ned Shank Award for Outstanding Preservation Publication for her article “In Memoriam, Carlson Terrace, 1957-2007” published in Preservation Education & Research. Journal of the National Council on Preservation Education. The articled addresses the loss of the Edward Durrell Stone-designed landmark and issues with preserving important Mid-Century Modern buildings.

The City of Eureka Springs received the award for Excellence in Heritage Preservation for programs and projects that promote cultural heritage tourism. Arkansas’s first Preserve America Community continues to leverage partnerships and resources to promote the town’s unique historic character and cultural destinations.

Honorees and guests celebrated with a reception and banquet at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion followed by program recognizing award-winning projects. Warwick Sabin, Publisher of the Oxford America Magazine served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Lawrence Hamilton made a surprise appearance and performed "Arkansas, You Run Deep in Me" for guests.

The Historic Preservation Alliance is the only statewide non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Arkansas's architectural and cultural heritage. For more information about the Alliance, contact Vanessa at 501-372-4757, vmckuin@preservearkansas.org, or visit PreserveArkansas.org.

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