Kristen Levesque
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Seven Congress Square
Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 775-6148 ext. 3223
klevesque@portlandmuseum.org
Release: October 2, 2003
The Portland Museum of Art in Portland, ME, Receives National Preservation Honor Award
(Washington, D.C.) - On October 2, 2003, the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented the Portland Museum of Art and Ann Beha Architects, Inc. with its prestigious National Preservation Honor Award for the restoration of the Portland Museum of Art’s historic McLellan House and Lorenzo de Medici Sweat Galleries. The honorees received one of 21 national awards presented by the National Trust at its week-long 2003 National Preservation Conference in Denver, Colo.
After completing a successful $13.5 million capital campaign to fund the restoration of the McLellan House and the Lorenzo de Medici Sweat Galleries, the museum completed an authentic restoration that has brought new distinction to this pair of masterpieces. Spanning two centuries of American architectural history, the graceful 1801 mansion and the handsome 1911 Beaux-Arts gallery are the pride of Maine’s largest art museum.
At the McLellan House, a thorough restoration of Federal-era splendor showcases carefully researched and historically accurate finishes and furnishings. In the adjoining Sweat Galleries, turn-of-the-century elegance has been restored and underused spaces reclaimed to provide more room for exhibitions and community outreach programs. In both buildings, new mechanical systems and interpretive tools enhance the visitor experience. Moreover, extensive video documentation made the restoration process itself a useful and fascinating educational tool.
With its new appearance and exhibits, the museum has experienced a vast increase in visitation, which has helped spur downtown tourism, and touts structures that not only house works of art, but whose buildings are works of art in their own right.
“The National Trust for Historic Preservation is proud to honor the Portland Museum of Art with a Preservation Honor Award,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “As the leading cultural institution in Maine, the museum has set a great example for preservation through the restoration of the McLellan House and the Lorenzo de Medici Sweat Galleries. This is an exemplary project in terms of collaboration and teamwork among museum staff, local historians, and local craftspeople.”
The National Preservation Honor Awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage. These efforts include citizen attempts to save and maintain important landmarks; companies and craftsmen whose work restores the richness of the past; the vision of public officials who support preservation projects and legislation in their communities; and educators and journalists who help Americans understand the value of preservation.
Media interested in learning more about the National Trust’s 2003 National Preservation Award Winners should contact the National Trust Communications Office at 202-588-6141. For more information and images on the 2003 National Preservation Award winners, visit www.nationaltrust.org.
THE 2003 NATIONAL PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS:
Louise Du Pont Crownshield Award: Walter Nold Mathis, San Antonio, Tex. - For almost half-a-century, Mr. Mathis has devoted himself to celebrating and protecting the heritage of Texas - particularly his home town of San Antonio. Serving as chairman of the city’s Historic Review Board for 20 years, Mathis set a high standard for projects that made San Antonio the mecca for tourists that it is today. He also has personally restored several South Texas properties, helped the San Antonio Conservation Society acquire a historic house as its headquarters, led the successful effort to save a 19th-century convent and convert it into an acclaimed arts-and-crafts school, and chaired a statewide commission that oversaw the award-winning restoration of the Texas Governor’s Mansion.
John H. Chafee Trustees’ Award For Outstanding Achievement In Public Policy: U.S. General Services Administration, Washington, D.C. - Faced with a huge backlog of maintenance and repair needs, GSA developed a strategy to divest itself of buildings with poor rental revenue. This could have put in jeopardy some of America’s most significant historical and architectural landmarks that are among the 1,700 federal properties managed by GSA. Instead, a new Legacy Vision policy issued by GSA’s Public Buildings Service commits the agency to put protecting its historic buildings first. Implementation of the policy has already brought a new luster and new economic viability to previously underperforming properties, and promises a bright future for scores of other federal buildings.
National Trust/ACHP Award For Federal Partnerships In Historic Preservation: The Governors Island Partnership, New York, N.Y. - Made up of federal, state, local and private-sector entities, this group has taken decisive steps to ensure the preservation of Governors Island and its dozens of historic buildings during a multiyear disposition process. The partnership also worked to ensure that part of the island, including Castle Williams and Fort Jay, would be designated a National Monument. Additionally, a comprehensive Maintenance Plan was developed and funding secured to maintain historic structures and landmarks, and a Historic Preservation Design Manual was drawn up to guide their eventual rehabilitation and reuse.
National Trust/HUD Secretary’s Award For Excellence In Historic Preservation: Ziegler Estate/La Casita, Los Angeles, Calif. - Hoping to provide a child-care facility for the underserved Highland Park area, an energetic coalition of City departments, the Community Redevelopment Agency, and citizens’ groups tapped into a variety of public and private funding sources to restore the historic Ziegler estate into La Casita Verde - a top-of-the-line child-care facility. The finished renovation, which includes corrected code deficiencies, new mechanical systems, and a seismic upgrade and repair of existing earthquake damage has saved a historic landmark and provides a rare link with the neighborhood’s rich past.
Trustee Emeritus Award For Excellence In The Stewardship Of Historic Sites: Central City Opera House Association, Denver, Colo. - In 1929, a band of citizens dedicated to preserving the rich history of Central City formed the Central City Opera House Association to restore and preserve the historic Central City Opera House, built in 1878. The association raised funds to purchase and restore 30 buildings - including several small cottages and the 4-story Teller House Hotel - in Central City’s National Historic Landmark District, which they still own and operate. Additionally, the beautifully restored opera house is home to America’s second-oldest summer opera festival.
Trustees’ Award For Organizational Excellence: Preservation League of New York State, Albany, N.Y. - The League’s strategic plan, adopted in 1999, led to increased commitment to public policy advocacy, enhanced communication and education initiatives, and a strengthened effort to save endangered properties. The League worked with the Governor’s office to make the state’s building code more preservation-friendly and to include a historic homeowners’ tax credit and funding for a statewide Main Street program in the 2003-2004 state budget. In addition to awarding over $1 million in grants to preservation projects since 1993, the League also created an information sharing network of 24 local organizations, and helped maintain historic resources in Lower Manhattan after 9/11.
The 2003 National Preservation Honor Award Winners:
Atlantic City Convention Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. - After years of heavy use and uninspired renovations, a 5-year, $99 million tax-credit rehab has brought the glamour back to this cultural icon. Built in 1929, the convention center has hosted some of the nation’s premier events, such as political conventions, the first indoor football game, and decades of Miss America pageants. Restoration efforts include rehabbing the 4-acre vaulted ceiling, restoring the intricate architectural detail and decorative finishes, creating a new seating bowl to meet contemporary standards for sightlines, and recreating lighting effects.
Beaumont Hotel, Ouray, Colo. - Coined the “flagship hotel of the western slope” when it opened in 1887, the Beaumont served as a social and political hub, until a decline in tourism forced its closing in 1964. After 31 years of abandonment and neglect, the building had fallen into disrepair. Fortunately, Dan and Mary King purchased the building in 1998 and in 2001 began a two-year, $4 million effort to restore the historic hotel to its original condition. Although the largest grant ever awarded by the CO State Historic Fund was made to the Beaumont, the Kings chose to use their personal financial resources to ensure the project’s timely completion.
Fair Park, Dallas, Tex. - Serving as the centerpiece of the Texas Centennial celebration in 1936, Fair Park houses America’s largest collection of Art Deco exposition architecture. Thanks to private and public funding, the City of Dallas, the State Fair of Texas, and the Friends of Fair Park have led the effort to restore ten buildings to their original luster and have conserved numerous monumental sculptures and murals, all while developing new marketing strategies to strengthen the Park’s economic viability.
Ferry Building, San Francisco, Calif. - Has been one of San Francisco’s signature landmarks since 1898. After several indignities, including being cut off from the bustling downtown area by a freeway, the Ferry Building has been gloriously reborn. A $100 million effort spurred by historic tax credits has seen the main facade restored to its original appearance, historic finishes restored in the 660-foot-long Grand Nave, and a new skylight welcomes the sunshine into the building which houses several offices and a farmer’s market.
Hidalgo Pumphouse, Hidalgo, Tex. - Having the distinction of receiving the first ever Board of Advisor’s Honor Award, the steam operated Hidalgo Pumphouse, located on the Rio Grande River, is proof that preservation can bond a community. When it shut down in 1983, to make way for a new electric plant nearby, local preservationists dreamed of restoring the early 20th-century irrigation project. After 17 years of home-grown efforts - including community bake sales of “pumphouse cookies” - a dedicated partnership between public officials and diverse private citizen groups made it happen. Once asbestos from the interior was removed, local groups helped reinforce the signature smokestack, reconstruct machinery, and install new walkways and a climate controlled interpretive center, giving it new life.
Indiana Cotton Mill, Cannelton, Ind. - For half a century this historic structure remained boarded up and deteriorating until a community-based nonprofit group brought it back to life by transforming the twin-towered mill into 70 units of affordable housing in an effort to address the community’s long-standing housing shortage. More than a dozen partners were involved in the effort and tapped funding sources ranging from investor equity and foundation grants to Historic Rehab and Low-Income Housing tax credits.
John (Jack) Shannahan, Hartford, Conn. - Serving as Director of the Connecticut Historical Commission and state historic preservation officer for more than 30 years, Jack has made his state a model of preservation activism, innovation and success. He was in the forefront of advocating for institution of the statewide Conn. Main Street Center, the Conn. Trust, and several museums and parks, in addition to spearheading the adoption of some of the nation’s strongest preservation laws and overcoming political opposition to secure recognition and preservation of the famed Merritt Parkway.
Kit Carson Carousel, Stratton, Colo. - The Carousel Association led a 25 year-long effort to restore this magnificent 1905 carousel to its long-lost grandeur. In a county with fewer than 8,000 residents, a volunteer-led effort raised $2.5 million to restore forty-six wooden animals and 45 canvas scenery panels, leaving more than 90% of the original paint in place. Decorative valences were also reconstructed and after a full restoration, the Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ plays like new.
Market Hall, Charleston, S.C. - Since 1841, Market Hall has anchored the Charleston historic downtown market. Decades of deferred maintenance, structural instability and storm damage, however, left this site with many problems. A 10-year-long city effort has paid off with a complete restoration that now allows for indoor market vendors, a grand meeting hall on the building’s top floor, and a state of the art setting for a museum of Civil War history, complete with authentic historic interior finishes and exterior paint colors.
Massachusetts State House, Boston, Mass. - A complete restoration of this National Historic Landmark required special legislation to ensure that tasks were assigned to the most qualified contractors to bring back the golden dome’s luster. Their hoards of skilled architects, conservators and craftspeople employed materials and techniques spanning the State House’s 200 year history, including repairs to 40 doors and 1,600 window sashes, and replacement of disintegrating marble carvings. Throughout the 7-year effort, the State House remained open and in use.
Michigan Volunteers, Grand Teton National Park, Wyo. - For the past 8 years, a small group of Michigan preservationists has organized volunteers to work on restoration projects in the park. The self-financed group has worked to preserve more than 25 structures, including keeping the homesteads at Mormon Row from collapsing - even though park policy sought to return the land to its natural state. Thanks to the dedication of these volunteers, the modest landmarks are still standing and the park is committed to their preservation.
National Historic Light House Preservation Act of 2000, Nationwide - This law has given a brighter future to lighthouses nationwide by allowing ownership of surplus lighthouses to be transferred at no cost to eligible entities, putting nonprofit organizations on equal footing with public agencies. Last year in a pilot program lead by the U.S. Coast Guard, the General Services Administration, and the National Park Service, the law smoothed the transfer of 5 historic lighthouses, and more than 300 other light stations could be transferred in the future.
Porcupine House/Ute Mt. Tribal Park, Towaoc, Colo. - The centerpiece of the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, this 13th century structure was one of thousands of surface ruins and cliff dwellings reminiscent of the time of the Anasazi People at risk of decay. Thanks to the dedicated Ute Mountain Tribes people, who have devoted themselves to interpreting and preserving these historic dwellings, Porcupine House has been stabilized and made accessible without sacrificing its historic integrity and provides insight into America’s historic tribal cultures.
Portland Museum of Art, Portland, Me. - After completing its successful $13.5 million capital campaign to fund the restoration of the McLellan House and Lorenzo de Medici Sweat Galleries, historic structures spanning two centuries of American architectural history, the Portland Museum of Art has reopened its doors. Painstaking attention to detail in the research and restoration of the structures was achieved in collaboration with local craftspeople and historians to ensure the authenticity of interior details, including furnishings, wall coverings, and finishes. With its new appearance and interpretive and educational exhibits, the museum has seen a vast increase in visitors, and has helped spur downtown tourism.
Stone Avenue Temple, Tucson, Ariz. - Built in 1910 as the first synagogue in the Arizona Territory, it was the cornerstone of Tucson’s Jewish community for almost four decades. After the congregation moved, the building gradually slumped into dilapidation until a group of individuals purchased the property and began restoring it. Today the structure houses the Jewish Historical Society and is the center of town activity, bringing together a diverse community and spurring other historic preservation efforts in nearby historic areas.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, DC headquarters staff, six regional offices and 23 historic sites work with the Trust’s quarter-million members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the National Trust’s web site at www.nationaltrust.org.
Museum Information
The Portland Museum of Art, Maine’s largest art museum, showcases fine and decorative arts from the 18th century to the present. From Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth to Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet, the Museum features three centuries of art and architecture. The Museum is located at Seven Congress Square in downtown Portland. The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Memorial Day through Columbus Day, the Museum is open on Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students with I.D., $6 for youth ages 13 to 17, and children 12 and under are free. The Museum is free on Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., made possible through the generous support of L.L.Bean and Patricia and Cyrus Hagge. No admission is required to visit the Museum Café and Store. For more information, call (207) 775-6148. Web site: portlandmuseum.org.