Washington, (October 26, 2020) –The National Trust for Historic Preservation will present the Trustees Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites to the Greenwich Historical Society in Cos Cob, CT. The organization is one of nine award winners to be presented by the National Trust during its 2020 Past Forward Online National Preservation Conference.
The Trustees Emeritus Award for Historic Site Stewardship recognizes success and innovation in historic preservation, management, and programming at historic sites.
In the late 19th and early 20th century the Bush-Holley House was the epicenter of Cos Cob in Greenwich, Connecticut – the cradle of American Impressionism. Renowned artists gathered there to paint and share ideas about art and society, but development and the invasion of modern roadways ultimately left the Bush-Holley House isolated and deserted. In 1957, the Greenwich Historical Society saved the building from destruction and restored it as their headquarters. Through active engagement with the Greenwich community and a varied approach to financial sustainability, the Society has brought the structures back to life and created a larger campus by acquiring adjacent properties over time. The sensitive design protects, restores, and unifies the campus of historic buildings while providing programs that serve the community with exhibits, gardens, public programs, archives, collections storage, and extensive school programs.
The Bush-Holley House is now a member of the Historic Artists, Homes and Studios program of the National Trust. Visitors can explore the area’s role in Northern slavery, wander the Impressionistic Gardens, which inspired a generation of painters, and take in exhibits about immigration, refugees, and women’s suffrage. Through the preservation of historic buildings and development of creative programming, the Greenwich Historical Society is providing the Greenwich community with a needed connection to its rich history.
“This year’s Trustees Emeritus Award for Historic Site Stewardship recipient,” said Paul Edmondson, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “showcases the full breadth of amazing preservation work being done around our nation. The awards ceremony is our chance to highlight the greater good that is served by individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and corporations that are investing in and enhancing American communities, and strengthening the preservation movement. It is an honor to present the Trustees Emeritus Award for Historic Site Stewardship to the Greenwich Historical Society.”
This year’s recipients will be honored at the virtual National Preservation Awards ceremony, hosted by television host and preservationist Bob Vila, on October 29, 2020 as part of PastForward Online 2020. The program will be streamed for free from SavingPlaces.org/Conference.
The National Preservation Awards are bestowed on those 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 crafts people 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.
