2020 Louisiana Preservation Awards Announced 

 

Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana is filled with great places, great traditions and great people keeping those cultural assets alive.  The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation honors 10 new award recipients for their impactful efforts to save historic places, build pride and foster engagement in their communities. Awardees have been nominated and selected based on  

2020 Awards Recipients: 

Main Street Award – Houma Downtown Development Corporation, Houma 

 Recognizes a Main Street community that exemplifies the strategic use of creativity, historic preservation and/or culture to build a climate for cultural expression, improve quality of life, enhance existing assets and strengthen economic opportunity while respecting the quality of the area. 

Houma was one of the first group of four communities to join Louisiana Main Street when the program started in 1984 and achieved many successes through the years.  One major accomplishment was Downtown Demonstration Day, where Houma Downtown Development Corporation partnered with Terrebonne Parish Planning Commission to investigate techniques to activate the historic Main Street corridor through downtown Houma.  This day included temporary setups to realign Main Street, enhanced pedestrian crosswalks, pocket parks, pop-up storefronts, public art installations, permanent public amenities, and a public outreach studio. 

 

Education Award – Cooley House Foundation, Monroe      cooleyhouse.org 

Recognizes an individual or organization that, through educational efforts, helped broaden appreciation for the importance of value of historic preservation in Louisiana. 

The Cooley House Foundation presents a dynamic series of lectures and educational tours showcasing diverse architectural topics. 

 

Leadership Award – Betty Reed, Lake Providence 

Recognizes an individual that is making or has made a significant contribution to the advocacy and/or promotion of historic preservation, or the development of his or her cultural discipline in a community, region, or state. 

Betty Reed has an extensive list of accomplishments in historic preservation in Lake Providence and East Carroll Parish. She established the Lake Providence National Register Historic District, co-founded Doorway to Louisiana, and served as president of the East Carroll Historical Society.  This Is in addition to rehabilitating two historic properties and building an impressive archive of historic information about the region.   

 

Organizational Excellence Award – Morganza Cultural District, Morganza 

Recognizes an organization that successfully leveraged assets to provide greater cultural value to its region within the state such as a heritage tourism project, or restoration /preservation effort such as adaptive reuse. 

In just two years, the Morganza Cultural District achieved a 501(c)3 designation, identified committees and successfully accomplished major projects in line with the LA Cultural District guidelines.   

 

Stewardship Award – Cameron Preservation Alliance, Sabine Pass Lighthouse Phase 1    sabinepasslighthouse.org 

Recognizing exemplary historic preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects that adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Awards may be presented to a residential or non-residential property, whether privately or publicly owned. Nominations must be for projects completed within the last three years. 

Phase I of the Sabine Pass Lighthouse restoration included repointing historic masonry, installation of stainless steel bands for structural support as well as installation of a temporary roof and louvered vents. Fundraising is ongoing to reconstruct a metal spiral staircase to the upper level.

 

Diverse Heritage Award – Gaynell Brady “Our Mammy’s,” New Orleans   

Recognizing achievements in the promotion and preservation of Louisiana’s multicultural or underserved heritage. Projects eligible for this award include rehabilitation or restoration projects, interpretive programs, heritage leadership or other activities that re-examine, emphasize or further our understanding of the diverse heritage of Louisiana. 

Our Mammy’s shares stories of Louisiana’s African Americans through the lens of Gaynell Brady’s ancestors so that future generations can understand what was sacrificed and be inspired by all the ancestors accomplished in the face of adversity. 

 

Living Trades Award – Dale Pierrottie – Bousillage Specialist, Lafayette     

Recognizing individuals that have continued to use a traditional technique or method in construction to achieve authenticity in the preservation, restoration or reconstruction of historic resources on a project within Louisiana. The technique must be one that is considered both artistic in nature and rare in today’s construction practices. 

Dale Pierrottie is a self-taught artist working in the medium of bousillage.  He is recognized by the Smithsonian Institute and has educated children and adults about the medium for 35 years.  His works include historic restorations as well as sculpture. 

 

Louisiana Heritage Media Award – Amy & Kelby Ouchley, Rocky Branch   

Recognizing outstanding works published or produced within the last two years (journalism, films, books, websites or other media) on Louisiana historic preservation themes, topics, issues, projects or local history and architecture. 

Amy and Kelby Ouchley share their knowledge of Louisiana flora, fauna and history in numerous books, magazine articles, and digital media. 

 

Sue Turner Preservationist of the Year Award – George Marks (NUNU Arts & Cultural Collective), Arnaudville      

Recognizes the efforts of an individual that made a significant contribution to historic preservation in Louisiana. 

Marks is considered a champion of the arts and culture in South Louisiana and has been an outspoken advocate for the development and promotion of the creative economy.  His work has assisted in the revitalization and economy of Arnaudville. 

 

Winnie Byrd Preservationist Extraordinaire Award – Chee Chee & Lazar “L.J.” Gielen, Crowley  

Recognizes an individual or individuals who have made a lasting impact to the historic resources of Louisiana through a body of work. 

The Gielens have exhibited a passion for historic preservation and a commitment to rehabilitating historic buildings in downtown Crowley, for the benefit and enhancement of the community. 

 

New award categories for this year include Stewardship; Diverse Heritage; Living Trades; and LA Heritage Media Award.  If you would like to nominate a person or organization for the 2021 Louisiana Preservation Awards, please contact info@LTHP.org. 

The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation was founded in 1979andworks in all 64 parishes toadvocate, promote and preserve historic places representing our diverse culture. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization andformore information and to get involved with our work, visit LTHP.orgor follow on Facebook (@LTHPreservation) and Instagram (@LouisianaTrust). 

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