NC Preservation Awards

Thank you for your interest in the Preservation North Carolina Awards, sponsored by Biltmore. The strength of our awards program comes from the work of people who take the time to nominate deserving individuals, organizations, and projects that have made a difference in historic preservation.  Please see the categories below.

Nominations for the 2017 Preservation North Carolina Honor Awards are now closed.

Please click here for a complete list of Preservation NC Award Winners

The Honor Award Winners will be recognized at our Annual Conference in Charlotte, September 27-29.

 Gertrude S. Carraway Awards of Merit

The Gertrude S. Carraway Awards of Merit are named in honor of the late Dr. Gertrude S. Carraway, a noted New Bern historian and preservationist. Presented since 1974, a maximum of twelve awards are given each year. The Awards of Merit give deserved recognition to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a genuine commitment to historic preservation through extraordinary leadership, research, philanthropy, promotion, and/or significant participation in preservation.

Honor Award Categories

Minnette C. Duffy Landscape Preservation Award

The Minnette C. Duffy Landscape Preservation Award is the highest honor given for the preservation, restoration or maintenance of landscapes, gardens, streetscapes, or grounds related to historic structures. This award recognizes the importance of the landscape in the preservation of historic structures. First presented in 1987, the award is made possible by the family of the late Minnette Chapman Duffy of New Bern, whose leadership contributed to the reconstruction of Tryon Palace.

L. Vincent Lowe, Jr. Business Award

The L. Vincent Lowe, Jr., Business Award is the highest honor presented to a business which assists or promotes historic preservation in North Carolina. Established in 1983 as the North Carolina Business Award, the name was changed in memory of Vince Lowe of Wilson, a longtime supporter of historic causes in North Carolina, who was serving as Chairman of Preservation NC’s 50th Anniversary Campaign at the time of his unexpected death in 1989.

Stedman Incentive Grant

The Stedman Incentive Grant is awarded to recognize and assist non-profit organizations in their efforts to preserve the state’s architectural heritage. Originating in 1976, the award is funded each year by the Marion Stedman Covington Foundation of Greensboro in memory of Marion’s father. The $10,000 grant encourages and facilitates the rescue of endangered historic and architecturally significant properties in North Carolina.

Robert E. Stipe Professional Award

The Robert E. Stipe Professional Award is the highest honor presented to working professionals who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to preservation as part of their job responsibilities. The award was established in 1983 to honor the contributions of Robert E. Stipe of Chapel Hill, an educator in the field of historic preservation and a mentor to a generation of preservation professionals.

Ruth Coltrane Cannon Award

The Ruth Coltrane Cannon Award, North Carolina’s most prestigious preservation award, is presented to an individual or organization that has made contributions of statewide significance to historic preservation in North Carolina. Originating in 1948, the award is named for Ruth Coltrane Cannon of Concord—president of the North Carolina Society for the Preservation of Antiquities,1945-1956—in recognition of her outstanding contributions to preservation. The recipient receives an engraved pewter cup. The winner’s name is also added to a master Cannon Cup, which now includes a long list of North Carolina notables. Only one Cannon Award is presented each year.