Lowell National Historical Park News Release
Release date: Immediate
Contact(s): Phil Lupsiewicz
Phone number: (978) 275-1705
Date: April 26, 2017
Release code: 17-17
PHOTOS: Courtsey
Ingrid Hess, credit Wael Kamal
2017 Excellence Awards Recognizing Community Contributions in Historic Preservation and Cultural Heritage
Lowell, Massachusetts. Lowell National Historical Park and the Lowell Heritage Partnership are pleased to announce this year’s winners of the Community Excellence Awards in the fields of historic preservation and cultural heritage. For the eleventh year, the Park and Partnership are recognizing contributions to the city of Lowell in the realms of preservation and heritage as part of National Preservation Month. These two award categories represent the important nature of the Park’s dual mission to “preserve and interpret the nationally significant historical and cultural sites” in Lowell. This year, award winners will be celebrated at the Park’s annual reception, which also marks the kick-off for Doors Open Lowell 2017, on Thursday, May 18, at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.
Celeste Bernardo, Superintendent of Lowell National Historical Park said “for 11 years, the community’s interest and enthusiasm continues to inspire as we reflect upon our past while moving forward into the 21st century.” Added Bernardo, “These awards represent the level of effort from major developers to creative community members who preserve Lowell’s built environment and preserve its special stories.” “These annual awards have become a springtime tradition in the city, a way to recognize outstanding accomplishments in the areas of preservation and heritage conservation,” said Paul Marion, president of the Lowell Heritage Partnership. “It’s important to encourage good instincts and concrete results.”
This year’s award recipients include:
Excellence in Historic Preservation
St. Patrick Church, Interior Restoration
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Patrick Church is located in Lowell’s Acre neighborhood. Designed by Patrick Charles Keely and opened in 1854, the church interior has recently been restored to its original splendor. This project, undertaken by John Canning & Co. of Cheshire, CT, was a recipient of the 2017 Bulfinch Award from the New England chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.
Jim Lichoulas, III for Mill No. 5 at Appleton Mills
An innovative and adaptive reuse of an historic mill space creates this indoor streetscape that generates creative retail and community-based activity. The setting is enhanced by elements of historic buildings salvaged from across New England and beyond and hosts this marketplace in an atmosphere that supports a community of shop owners providing an alternative shopping experience.
Excellence in Cultural Heritage
Ingrid Hess and “Mr. Magnificent’s Magical Merrimack Adventure”
A charming story carries the reader along on the afternoon journey of current-day Lowell youth, guided by the mysterious Mr. Magnificent. Together, they experience visions of Lowell’s history during an exciting airborne excursion. The colorful and playful imagery of this children’s book is captured in detailed cut-paper art. An exhibit sharing the book and cut-paper art process was displayed at the Mogan Cultural Center. All third grade classes in Lowell Public Schools and many other organizations that work with third-graders are receiving copies of the book.
Award recipients will be acknowledged during the park reception and kick-off for Doors Open Lowell 2017 on Thursday, May 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John Street. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Phil Lupsiewicz at phil_lupsiewicz@nps.gov or call 978-275-1705.
For more information about Doors Open Lowell 2017 and a schedule for open sites and special tours, visit www.DoorsOpenLowell.org. For information on the Lowell Heritage Partnership, visit www.LowellHeritagePartnership.org. For more information about programs and offerings at Lowell National Historical Park, please visit www.nps.gov/lowe or call 978-970-5000.
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