Office of Historic Preservation Accepting Nominations for 2023 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards

Are there any unique or creative projects in your communities that are helping preserve or interpret California’s history? Nominations are currently being accepted by the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) for the 2023 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards for projects, organizations, agencies or individuals demonstrating excellence in historic preservation in California. Nominations, which are being accepted until May 8, 2023, should demonstrate creative solutions to the preservation of the Golden State’s historic and/or prehistoric resources. The awards program seeks to recognize community-centered, often grassroots efforts going on throughout California to preserve our collective heritage. 

Nominees can include resource restoration and preservation; civic efforts to preserve, interpret and educate about community history; and companies and public agencies that have exceeded expectations and contractual obligations in preserving the heritage of California. Efforts to address the challenges of climate change will be considered, as well as individuals whose passion for preservation has made a difference and saved numerous cultural, historical and archaeological treasures.

Special consideration will be given to historic preservation projects/activities that:

  • Demonstrate successful public-private partnerships
  • Benefit the community, and reflect community-centered and supported efforts
  • Promote sustainability and “green” design while preserving the historic fabric of a resource
  • Broaden the ethnic and cultural diversity of historic preservation activities.

Established in 1986, the Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards program recognizes the innovation, creativity and dedication that are at the heart of the efforts to preserve California’s treasured heritage. Previous award recipients have included projects such as “The Spirit of Chicano Park/El espíritu del Parque Chicano” (2021 awards), a children’s bilingual book that tells the story of the community activism that led to the creation of Chicano Park, in San Diego, now a National Historic Landmark and vibrant site of Chicano culture and art, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Headquarters Building rehabilitation project (2022 awards) that preserved one of California’s iconic Mid-Century Modern buildings and an original mural by renowned artist Wayne Thiebaud that encircles part the building’s ground-level walls.

An independent jury will review the nominations and make recommendations to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval. Award decisions will be announced in fall 2023.

For this year’s nomination forms, a list of the 2022 award recipients and information on how you can watch a live stream of the ceremony on Thursday, March 30, visit ohp.parks.ca.gov/GovernorsAwards. You can also contact Diane Barclay, OHP outreach and communications coordinator, at (916) 445-7026 or diane.barclay@parks.ca.gov.

Information about the Office of Historic Preservation is available at ohp.parks.ca.gov.

The spirit of Chicano Park/El espiritu del Parque Chicano award recipient in 2021
"The Spirit of Chicano Park/El espíritu del Parque Chicano" award recipient in 2021


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