For Immediate Release: 1/26/2023

2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award Recipients Announced

Contact: Jorge Moreno | Information Officer

The California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards. Each of the projects represents exemplary achievements on behalf of preserving California’s richly diverse heritage. This year’s award recipients range from the rehabilitation of a historic resource to preserve and tell the story of what is considered the “Ellis Island of the West,” to a podcast that advances the work and mission of historic preservation.

"The dedication of California citizens to celebrate and commemorate the places and stories important to them is nothing short of inspiring. We are fortunate to continue to expand the rich mosaic of our shared heritage,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco. “It is an honor to recognize the efforts of our communities with this awards program.”

In recognizing these award recipients, Governor Gavin Newsom continues a tradition that has taken place annually since the awards program was established in 1986. The Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards Program is distinguished from other preservation awards in two important respects: It emphasizes involvement by community groups, and it recognizes a broad array of preservation activities, from building rehabilitation to archaeology, education and preservation planning.

Here are the 2022 award recipients:

  • Angel Island Immigration Station Hospital, in Angel Island State Park, in San Francisco, is a project that brought together, through strong community support and fundraising, a well-executed rehabilitation of a historic resource to preserve and tell the full story of Angel Island, the “Ellis Island of the West.”
  • First Congregational Church of Long Beach, in Long Beach, employed innovative techniques to preserve a historic resource held in high regard by both the church congregant and the greater community, ensuring the property will continue to be an active presence in the life of the city.
  • Old Orange County Courthouse, in Santa Ana, succeeded in repairing and restoring the unique, red Arizona sandstone facade and other defining features of a landmark, historic government building, preserving the character and value of a resource much treasured by the community.
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Headquarters Building, in Sacramento, represents a highly successful private-public collaboration that preserved one of California's signature Modern era buildings along with an original 3,650-foot mural by world-renowned artist Wayne Thiebaud, that encircles the building's ground level walls and is the only mural ever created by the artist.
  • Save As: NextGen Heritage Conservation,” in Los Angeles, innovatively employs a podcast format to advance the work and mission of historic preservation, making current scholarship accessible to new audiences, connecting history with contemporary life and social issues, and literally amplifying the voices of emerging leaders in heritage conservation.

California State Parks Director Armando Quintero and State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco will present the awards to recipients at a ceremony on March 30, 2023, in Sacramento. The ceremony will be streamed live on the OHP Facebook page and YouTube channel.

For more information about the awards program, please visit the OHP website at www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/governorsawards.

Photo 1: Restored Arizona sandstone facade of the Old Orange County Courthouse, Santa Ana. Photo 2: First Congregational Church of Long Beach, Long Beach, showing the restored rose windows. Photo 3: Rehabilitated Angel Island Immigration Station Hospital, Angel Island State Park, San Francisco. Photo 4: “Save As: NextGen Heritage Conservation” podcast in progress, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Photo 5: Rehabilitated SMUD Headquarters Building, with Thiebaud mural encircling the ground-level walls, Sacramento.
Photo 1: Restored Arizona sandstone facade of the Old Orange County Courthouse, Santa Ana. Photo 2: First Congregational Church of Long Beach, Long Beach, showing the restored rose windows. Photo 3: Rehabilitated Angel Island Immigration Station Hospital, Angel Island State Park, San Francisco. Photo 4: “Save As: NextGen Heritage Conservation” podcast in progress, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Photo 5: Rehabilitated SMUD Headquarters Building, with Thiebaud mural encircling the ground-level walls, Sacramento.




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