The Best of Maryland Award nomination period is now open for 2022. Nominations are due August 31, 2022.
Preservation Maryland’s Best of Maryland Awards shine a spotlight on the ceaseless work of Maryland’s volunteers, architects, artisans, legislators, and many more individuals who are doing the essential work of protecting the places that make Maryland such a special place to live, work, explore – and celebrate.
ELIGIBILITY
Chances are, you’re eligible for nomination! We seek to make the nomination process efficient for all involved; the application process is a single online form. We encourage you to apply!
Individuals, non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses, and government agencies are eligible. You may nominate yourself. You may submit multiple nominations. You may re-nominate projects that were not selected previously.
Awards are granted upon the sole discretion of Preservation Maryland; an award from each category may or may not be awarded each year, multiple awards in a single category may or may not be awarded. Please select the award category that best fits your nominee. We understand that some nominations may be eligible for multiple categories and will evaluate nominations across categories.
Materials submitted may be used in digital and print materials by Preservation Maryland.
NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
We suggest reviewing the Award Categories first as they are outlined below, reviewing the online nomination form and then preparing your responses in a separate document before entering them into the online form for submission. You cannot save your nomination form. If you cannot complete your nomination as instructed, please contact Maria Mougridis at mmougridis@presmd.org
ACCESS THIS YEAR’S ONLINE NOMINATION FORM
LEARN MORE ABOUT LAST YEAR’S WINNERS
Award Nominations are Currently Available in the Following Categories:
LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Presented to an elected official in Maryland that champions historic preservation policy, programs, and supporting funding, and recognizes the importance of preserving Maryland heritage. Nominations will be evaluated based on the impact of the officials’ support on preservation in Maryland.
PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AWARD
Presented to individuals or organizations to recognize exceptional leadership and commitment to preserving Maryland’s rich and diverse heritage. Nominations will be evaluated based on the length and nature of service or project, record of achievement, and the nominee’s overall impact on the statewide preservation movement.
GEARHART PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD
Presented to an individual who is employed as a professional by a historic preservation organization, agency, or academic institution and who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, knowledge, and creativity in the protection and preservation of Maryland’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and archeological sites. Nominations will be evaluated based on the impact of the person’s achievements and their contributions to the preservation of Maryland’s history and culture.
THE PHOENIX AWARD
Presented to individuals or organizations to recognize projects demonstrating excellence in the revitalization of threatened or abandoned historic resources. Nominations will be evaluated based on the project’s impact on historic preservation and community revitalization.
SMART GROWTH EXCELLENCE AWARD
An award honoring an individual, organization, or project that best exemplifies the core tenets of smart growth. Smart growth is a broad and diverse movement which embraces environmentally and economically sustainable development patterns to create better opportunities for all citizens.
STEWARDSHIP AWARD
Presented to individuals or organizations to recognize exemplary stewardship of Maryland’s historic buildings, collections, landscapes, and archaeological sites. Nominations will be evaluated based on the degree to which the project conforms to applicable professional standards, such as the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and the degree to which the project has successfully protected a historic resource from harm. Nominated projects should have been completed within the last two years.
GEORGE T. HARRISON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONS
The Harrison Volunteer Awards has been presented by Preservation Maryland semi-annually since 1985 and is the organization’s oldest award. This award goes to individuals or organizations to recognize outstanding volunteer contributions to historic preservation in Maryland. Nominations will be evaluated based on the extent to which the individual or group’s preservation project made a substantial contribution to saving historic resources in Maryland.
PRESERVATION ARTISAN AWARD
Presented to an individual or group of individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the art and artistry of a craft or trade that is used in the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, or archaeological sites in Maryland. Nominations will be evaluated based on the person’s demonstrated excellence in the practice of their craft as well as their ability to inspire and willingness to teach others the skills needed to perform their trade.