Preservation Merit Awards

Celebrate your labor of love (or your family’s friends’ and neighbors’) with us!

2025 Preservation Merit Award Ceremony & Annual Meeting

Thursday, September 25th from 5:30-7pm
at the Albany Armory, 195 Washington Ave

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 year, we celebrate six projects and three individuals. 

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

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