Join us to celebrate the best in local preservation

the Love Albany Center 8 Kate Street

Thursday, September 24th from 5:30-7pm!

Since 1976, Historic Albany Foundation has given annual awards for projects, individuals and organizations that demonstrate excellence in and a commitment to preservation. We are thrilled to recognize these individuals and groups for their strong commitment to Albany’s historic architecture, often in the face of serious challenges. We recognize a variety of projects and people each year, from large vacant building restorations to smaller projects that made the choice to repair and restore rather than gut and replace. 

This event is also the HAF Annual Meeting where current members vote on our incoming class of officers and new board members.  

This year, we celebrate seven projects and three individuals. 

Schedule of Events
5:30-6PM  Light Charcuterie & Sweets Reception
6-6:10PM  Historic Albany Foundation's Annual Meeting
6:10-7PM  Award Ceremony

Class of 2026

Preservation Merit Awards
These projects are outstanding examples of rehabilitation or adaptive reuse that inspire other preservation efforts and serve as a model for best practices. They have overcome many challenges to be completed and include a variety of funding methods including state grants or the NY Homeowner Rehabilitation Tax Credits.   

163 Clinton Avenue, Public School 7 for Tax Credit Adaptive Reuse
125 Jefferson Street, Firehouse Engine 6 for the Rehabilitation of a Long Vacant Building

Preservation Initiative Awards
These projects are commendable preservation efforts in which the owners consistently chose to use historic building materials and techniques which are often more time-consuming/labor intensive methods, or to spend more money to be true to the historic character and maintain the architectural integrity of the property. 

79 Elizabeth Street for Rehabilitation
116 Lark Street, Altamont for Exterior Restoration
Lincoln Park Bathhouse, for Repair & Reuse

Stewardship Award
This award provides recognition typically to an organization for continued efforts in maintaining and restoring a historic structure or landscape (i.e. cemetery, park conservancy) through financial, organizational or physical challenges.

8 Kate Street, Love Albany Center

Main Street Award
This award gives recognition for downtown or “Main Street” revitalization efforts. These projects “bucks the trend” of commercial activities moving to the suburbs and takes the perceived substantial risk of (re)locating in the city core or at the key Main Street locations in struggling neighborhoods.

876 Broadway, McGreevy's

Katherine Onufer Young Preservationist Award 
This award recognizes the efforts of a person 40 or younger who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany in general.  

Porter Hehr

Architectural Parts Warehouse Award
This award recognizes an individual who is dedicated to reusing salvaged architectural parts in restoration and reuse projects.

JC Carroll & Carlos Alves

Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes the long-term efforts of an individual who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany. 

Artur Matia

Class of 2025

Preservation Merit Awards
These projects are outstanding examples of rehabilitation or adaptive reuse that inspire other preservation efforts and serve as a model for best practices. They have overcome many challenges to be completed and include a variety of funding methods including state grants or the NY Homeowner Rehabilitation Tax Credits.   

290 & 292 Clinton Avenue, for Rehabilitation 
2 First Street, for Tax Credit Rehabilitation

Preservation Initiative Awards
These projects are commendable preservation efforts in which the owners consistently chose to use historic building materials and techniques which are often more time-consuming/labor intensive methods, or to spend more money to be true to the historic character and maintain the architectural integrity of the property. 

209 Lancaster Street, for Renovation
145 South Lake Avenue, for Tax Credit Oriel Restoration

Certificates of Recognition 
These projects have made a noteworthy contribution to local preservation efforts.

247 Lenox Avenue for Entry Restoration

Van Deusen House, 246 Van Dyke Road, Delmar, for Research & Adaptive Reuse

Katherine Onufer Young Preservationist Award 
This award recognizes the efforts of a person 40 or younger who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany in general.  

Charles Straney

Architectural Parts Warehouse Award
This award recognizes an individual who is dedicated to reusing salvaged architectural parts in restoration and reuse projects.

Samantha Sonnier

Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes the long-term efforts of an individual who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany. 

Lee Pinckney

Check back in May 2026 for the call for nominations for the Class of 2026!