2019
Ruth J. Abram — Denver, Colorado & New Lebanon, New York
Founder and former president of the Lower East Side Tenement Musum for twenty years, Ruth J. Abram has been a paradigm-shifting leader in the use of historic places, and particularly historic sites, to address contemporary issues. Her leadership has inspired organizations and institutions around the country to utilize the stories of a wide variety of historic places to discuss and affect social change. She also founded the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and Behold! New Lebanon.

2018
Jay Turnbull — San Francisco, California
For over five decades, architect and urban designer, Jay Turnbull, has used his expertise in preservation and land development to implement pivotal preservation campaigns across the country, impacting hundreds of cities, buildings, national parks, government agencies, and heritage neighborhoods.

2017
Robert G. Stanton — Washington, DC
Former National Park Service Director Robert G. Stanton has made many contributions to the American historic preservation movement, and no one has done more to revitalize the NPS’s commitment to diversity and telling the whole story within the historic preservation movement.

2016
W. Knox Mellon, Ph.D. — Monterey, California
Knox Mellon has preserved CA's heritage for 50 years in many roles. He is the most loved advocate for preservation in the state. His legacy is the 100s of preservationists mentored over their lifetimes.

2016
Paula Wallace — Savannah, Georgia
Paula Wallace is the president and founder of the Savannah College of Art and Design. For nearly 40 years President Wallace has been a champion for historic preservation in Savannah and beyond.

2015
Robert Silman — New York, New York
Robert Silman’s exemplary endeavors in historic preservation engineering have contributed significantly to the inclusion of technology in preserving our heritage. Mr. Silman has worked on innumerable projects of national and local significance, including Fallingwater and Farnsworth House. His close work with the National Trust, the Association for Preservation Technology and other professional organizations, along with his teaching career, have made him a leader in preservation and engineering alike. Mr. Silman’s skill in his expanding field is matched by his humanistic approach, helping the public appreciate the need for technology in preservation and forever increasing the possibilities of our work.

2014
John Bryan — Chicago, Illinois
An active preservationist for more than 20 years, John H. Bryan is a hands-on leader who uses preservation as a tool to enhance communities. Mr. Bryan has worked to protect threatened places like Chicago’s Lyric Opera House and Orchestra Hall and Mies van der Rohe’s famed Farnsworth House while supporting effective stewardship of historic sites across the country through the creation of the John and Neville Bryan Director of Museum Collections position at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition, Mr. Bryan directed the Sara Lee Corporation’s sustained corporate gifts of 20th century art where he oversaw more than $30 million in financial support to museums around the world. Mr. Bryan has made a lasting difference in his home city of Chicago, at the National Trust, and nationwide.

2013
Richard Moe — Washington, DC
As the seventh president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Richard Moe’s legacy is far-reaching and lasting. Under Moe’s leadership, the National Trust advanced the public’s understanding of how our lands, cities, towns, neighborhoods, and buildings are vessels for our national memory and identity. With Moe at the helm, the preservation movement’s focus shifted from simply saving historic buildings to instilling a preservation ethic across America.

2012
Donovan Rypkema — Washington, DC
For more than 30 years, Donovan Rypkema has worked at the intersection of historic preservation, real estate, and economics, providing services and insights to organizations and towns nationwide. Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington, DC-based real estate and economic development consulting firm, is responsible for saving countless historic sites through his impressive work in proving the economic benefits of historic preservation. He is also responsible for inspiring numerous historic preservationists through his charisma and passion for preservation.

2011
Robert Wilson, New York, New York
Few philanthropists have done more for the preservation movement than Robert Wilson. He has helped the World Monuments Fund save irreplaceable monuments worldwide, and enabled the New York Landmarks Conservancy to restore beloved religious landmarks closer to home, thanks to his support of their Sacred Sites program. The benefits of his vision will be felt for generations to come.

2010
Tony Goldman – New York, New York
In a four-decade career, developer Tony Goldman has transformed declining historic districts—like Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood and Miami’s South Beach—into thriving global destinations.

2009
Vincent J. Scully – New Haven, Connecticut
For 61 years of inspiring generations of students and for his tireless commitment to historic preservation and architecture.

2008
Jane Blaffer Owen – New Harmony, Indiana
For life-long dedication to preservation in New Harmony, Indiana

Mark Michel – Albuquerque, New Mexico
For outstanding leadership of the Archaeological Conservancy and commitment to protecting archaeological sites

2007
Nellie Longsworth – Washington, DC
For her leadership of Preservation Action, and her work to unite preservationists to advocate for federal historic preservation poilicies in Congress and the federal government.

2006
Stewart Udall – Santa Fe, NM & George Hartzog – McLean, Virginia

For their leadership in the passage of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act

2005
J. Reid Williamson, Jr. – Indiana
In recognition of the superlative skill, unflagging energy, inspiring vision, & unmatched dedication that have characterized his long and distinguished career in historic preservation at the statewide & local levels.

2004
Nancy N. Campbell – Williamsburg Virginia
For lifelong commitment to protecting & celebrating America's rich heritage marked by tireless dedication of time, energy & expertise; exemplary hands-on involvement in preservation at the local & statewide levels; inspiring & visionary leadership of NTHP

2003
Walter Nold Mathis – San Antonio, Texas
In recognition of a lifelong commitment to the cause of historic preservation, enriching the lives of his fellow Texans, and all Americans, through his visionary leadership and hands-on involvement in saving and enhancing the rich heritage of Texas

2002
The Honorable John F. Seiberling – Akron, Ohio
The Honorable John F. Seiberling For a distinguished career of service to the cause of historic preservation in the U.S. Congress, demonstrating visionary leadership in providing the legislative tools that enable Americans to enrich the nation’s future by saving the best of its past.

2001
George & Cynthia Mitchell- Galveston, Texas
In recognition of a quarter century of dedication and success in preserving and revitalizing historic Galveston Island, demonstrating exemplary personal commitment, vision and leadership in preserving the spirit of the place they call home.

2000
National Park Service
For stewardship and leadership in the preservation of our nation's cultural and historic resources for the past 84 years

1999
Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan, U.S. Senator – Buffalo, NY
For his lifelong commitment to, and hands-on involvement in, the preservation of the heritage of New York, and his many years of leadership in securing the enactment of federal legislation that has saved important landmarks

1998
Frederick Williamson – Providence, RI
For pioneering work in the development of state historic preservation offices over nearly 30 years

Anice Barber Read – Austin, TX
For pioneering work in the development of Texas Main Street Program has contributed significantly to the advancement of the grassroots preservation movement in cities and towns across the state

1997
Marguerite Neel Williams - Thomasville, GA
For a lifetime of involvement in historic preservation, leadership in preservation organizations in Thomasville and Georgia, founding the National Trust Heritage Society, and restoration of numerous buildings in Thomasville Georgia

1996
Richard H. Jenrette - New York, NY
For a lifetime of involvement in historic preservation, a record of hands-on involvement in the restoration and furnishing of numerous historic houses and his leadership in preservation organizations

1995
Dana Crawford - Denver, CO
For her pioneering efforts in recognizing the aesthetic and economic potential in the historic commercial buildings of Denver, in particular Larimer Square

1994
Walter Beinecke, Jr. – Nantucket, MA
For his contributions to preserving the historic character of Nantucket and contributing to its economic development, his work with the Preservation Institute: Nantucket, and his work in Newburyport, MA

1993
Carl B. Westmoreland – Cincinnati, OH
For his contributions in the rehabilitation of Mount Auburn neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH

Arthur P. Ziegler, Jr. – Pittsburgh, PA
For his contributions as a pioneer in neighborhood preservation and development of mixed-income and low-to-moderate income dwellings

1992
Joan Bacchus Maynard – Weeksville, NY
For her contributions to the study of African-American history and preserving historic buildings in New York's minority community

1991
Robert Garvey, Jr. – Washington, D.C.
For his contributions to shaping and guiding the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation through is first 20 years

1990
Frederick Gutheim - Dickerson, MD
For 60 years of service to historic preservation as a preservationist, author, planner, and educator

1989
Fred Rath – Cooperstown, NY
For 50 years of dedication to historic preservation, serving as an early guiding force for the National Trust, the NPS, the New York State Historical Association, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

1988
Robert Stipe, Raleigh, NC
For his contributions to historic preservation activism at the national, state, and local levels and his specific contributions to development of the field of preservation law

1987
F. Blair Reeves – Gainesville, FL
For his career of contributions to the field of preservation education

1986
Antoinette Downing – Providence, RI
For her career of contributions to preservation scholarship and her leadership and advocacy support of preservation in Providence, RI

1985
James Marston Fitch – New York, NY
For his contributions to preservation as an educator and architect

1984
Leopold Adler, III – Savannah, GA
For his efforts to create low income housing in historic buildings in Savannah, GA

1983
Historic American Building Survey – Washington, D.C.
For a collection of 40,000 measured drawings, 70,000 photos and countless pages of written history on its 50th anniversary

1982
Helen Abell – Louisville, KY
For her efforts in preservation organizations at the local, state, and national levels

1981
Honorable Gordon C. Gray – Washington, D.C.
Chairman of the Board during the National Trust's greatest period of expansion (1962-1973)

1980
Ernest Allen Connally - Washington, D.C.
Steered federal programs for crucial years after the passage of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966

William J. Murtagh - Washington, D.C.
Preservation pioneer and educator; first Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places

1979
Old Post Office Landmark Committee - St. Louis, MO
For saving this 1884 St. Louis Building after an 18-year battle

1978
Helen Duprey Bullock - Washington, D.C.
An early employee of Colonial Williamsburg and editor of Historic Preservation magazine for 17 years

1977
San Antonio Conservation Society – San Antonio, TX
For continuing efforts as one of the nation's oldest preservation groups

1976
Katherine U. Warren & the Preservation Society of Newport - Newport, RI
For efforts to save Gilded Age mansions along the Rhode Island coast

1975
(No award given this year.)

1974
Mr. & Mrs. Jacob H. Morrison – New Orleans, LA
For their assistance in preservation in New Orleans' French Quarter

1973
Dr. Ricardo E. Alegria – San Juan, PR
For "saving 450 years of architecture in 20 years of work" at the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture in San Juan

1972
Alice Winchester – New York, NY
For her persuasive editorials endorsing preservation, as "Antiques" magazine editor

1971
Frances Edmunds - Charleston, SC
For her efforts, as leader of Historic Charleston Foundation, to rehabilitate large sections of Charleston, SC, by funneling restoration profits into new projects--the "revolving fund" used by many nonprofit groups today

1970
Frank L. Horton - Winston-Salem, NC
For his efforts as director of Old Salem, cited as one of the most authentic town museums in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

1969
Mr. & Mrs. Henry N. Flynt – Deerfield, MA
For their efforts to preserve the historic village of Old Deerfield, Massachusetts

1968
St. Clair Wright – Annapolis, MD
For her Founding of Historic Annapolis Foundation in 1952

1967
(No award given this year.)

1966
Mary Gordon Latham Kellenberger – Greensboro, NC
For efforts to create Tryon Place, a historical reconstruction of the first North Carolina state capitol

Ima Hogg – Houston, TX
For restoration and furnishing of four major historic properties in Texas

1965
Charles E. Peterson- Philadelphia, PA
For his efforts to create the Historic American Buildings Survey and for restoration of buildings across the nation

1964
Mr. & Mrs. Bertram R. Little – Brookline, MA
For contributions to architectural scholarship and the appreciation of American country antiques

1963
Martha Gilmore Robinson - New Orleans, LA
For 40 years of dedication to preserving landmarks and historic districts in Louisiana

1962
Katherine Prentis Murphy - New York, NY
For donations of important American antiques and decorative arts to various museum--of NY & CT

1961
Henry Francis du Pont – Wilmington, DE
For efforts to create a collection of American decorative arts at the Winterthur Museum

1960
Mount Vernon Ladies Association - Mount Vernon, VA
For efforts to preserve George Washington's Virginia Estate