Preservation Connecticut announces Connecticut Preservation Awards for 2025
Preservation Connecticut is proud to announce its Connecticut Preservation Awards for 2025. Preservation stories often tell of threats and losses, so it is heartening to turn instead to stories of accomplishment and creativity. These awards are about rejuvenated places where we can work or play, gather and govern our communities, or create. They show us places that provide shelter, conserve resources, and remind us of who we are and where we come from. They remind us how the past can contribute to a richer future.
We are honored to recognize individual projects, long-term contributions, and professional achievements that demonstrate the many ways historic places contribute to the life and vitality of Connecticut communities. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on May 8 at the New Haven Country Club.
Harlan H. Griswold Award for Historic Preservation
Lee G. Kuckro and Anne Crofoot Kuckro, Wethersfield
Presented jointly by Preservation Connecticut and the State Historic Preservation Office, the Harlan Griswold Award honors outstanding contributions to the preservation and revitalization of Connecticut’s historic places. Between them, Anne Crofoot Kuckro (being awarded posthumously) and Lee G. Kuckro have been at the forefront of preservation activity on the local and statewide levels and in many roles: as public officials and private leaders, in research and organizing, and hands-on restoration at their own 18th-century house. Author, historian, and community leader Anne wrote about historic architecture in Wethersfield and Hartford and oversaw restoration projects including the Keney Memorial Center in Wethersfield. Organizational leader Lee chaired the Wethersfield Historic District Commission, Hartford Preservation Alliance, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, and Connecticut Landmarks, significantly contributing to the mission and accomplishments of each of them.
Mimi Findlay Award for Young Preservationists: Morgan Bengal
Hired fresh out of graduate school as site administrator for the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby, Morgan Bengel oversaw building maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and exhibit preparation for the site’s reopening after being closed for a nine-year restoration project. Since the opening, Morgan has worked with biologists to protect endangered bats that live in the mine, overseen a digital LiDAR scan to document the mine’s network of tunnels, monitor rock and timber movement throughout the mine, and begun the process of restoring the historic Viets Tavern. Her hard work and dedication reflect her ability as a rising preservation professional.
Mimi Findlay Award for Young Preservationists: Christina Volpe
As the curator and site administrator of the Barnes Homestead Museum in Southington, Christina Volpe promotes preservation by bringing 19th-century material culture to life through storytelling, digital interpretation, and public programming like her “History Pints” presentations and presentations to local schools. During four years on the Southington Planning and Zoning Commission Christina helped shape the built environment of her hometown and advocated for retaining historic resources in the community. Her experience also includes preparing historical reports and inventories for a cultural resources firm plus archiving collections related to historic architectural resources and sites. With Southington’s town historian she created interpretive signage at the site of a local abolitionist’s home.
Awards of Merit
Pond-Weed house, Darien
Meticulous research and careful planning were the driving force behind the restoration of this early 18th-century house by artist Ellen Fagan and her son, Christopher, an architect. The ancient saltbox had suffered neglect and vacancy and was made vulnerable to demolition by its location on the busy Boston Post Road. Dendrological study, documentary research, measured drawings and ground-penetrating radar made it possible to retain original materials, source sustainable replacements where necessary, and provide systems that make for comfortable 21st-century living.
Project team: Ellen Hackl Fagan; Christopher Fagan; Kronenberger & Sons Restoration;
Robert Woodside, Town of Darien.
VFW cemetery volunteers, East Haddam
Members of the East Haddam/Moodus Memorial VFW Post 3336 created a database of more than 1,000 military veterans’ graves in the town, then launched a project to clean and restore veterans’ gravestones. The group enjoys broad community support; local groups and individuals have sponsored fundraisers, given cash, or donated supplies and equipment, plus a trailer for transporting it, but the labor is all volunteer—a priceless gift to the community.
Project team: East Haddam/Moodus Memorial VFW Post 3336; Don Henson, Bernie Begin, Wayne Cranford, Irma Carper-Miller, John Dannecker, Kris Dannecker, Dave Balcom, Karl Jens, Bernie Miller, Ken Beatrice, Eric Badrick, Forrest Anderson, Kyle Dietz, Jonathan Favreau, Deb Denette
Linus Plimpton house, Hartford
In 1991, this house provided supportive transitional housing for people in need. Now, after 30 years of heavy use, it is once again a family home. The project added modern amenities while reclaiming original details including historic wall and ceiling paintings. This work continues NINA’s commitment to creating or renovating housing in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. As a sign of the project’s success, the completed house recently sold to a private owner-occupant for more than the asking price.
Project team: Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, Inc.; NINA Properties, LLC; Crosskey Architects, LLC; James K. Grant Associates; John Canning & Company, Ltd.; Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office; City of Hartford Department of Development Services; Capital Region Development Authority; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.
Abner Hotel (Litchfield County courthouse), Litchfield
In 2017, after 250 years of legal tradition, the State of Connecticut vacated the Litchfield Courthouse. The Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust purchased the property to preserve the historic structure and then contracted with Lexington Partners to adapt the courthouse as a boutique hotel and restaurant. After overcoming many challenges, the renovated courthouse now welcomes guests and diners to the center of Litchfield’s historic town center.
Project team: Lexington Partners; Tecton Architects; lnnoconn Construction Management; Bohler Engineering; Consoli Bortolan Law Group; Alter, Pearson & Hope; Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust, Inc.; Gregory Farmer; United States Postal Service; Borough of Litchfield Historic District Commission; Town of Litchfield; Attorneys Cramer & Anderson, LLP
New Canaan Playhouse, New Canaan
The New Canaan Playhouse has a long history as a key downtown asset. It was built in 1923 as the first project of the Village Improvement Society and bought by the Town of New Canaan in 2000, when many theaters were closing. After closing during the pandemic, it has now been reopened following complete renovation. As a theater, restaurant, and meeting facility, the Playhouse shows that combining historic design and economic development is nothing new.
Project team: Town of New Canaan; Cinema Lab; Architectural Preservation Studio, DPC; Lawrence Mechanical; Fuss & O’Neill, Inc.; Foodservice Facilities International; SH Acoustics; Lighting Affiliates; Alden Bailey; Darien Electric; Eastern Mechanical Services, Inc.; EOMAC; Strong Tech; Nova; Strong Technical Services; Security Solutions; Skeie Seating; Singer Equipment; Rivers Edge Woodworks; Sillman Meyer Co.; Indy Cinema Group; Film Fog; DNA Design
Mills house, Westport
Containing only 930 square feet of low-ceilinged living space, and vacant through seven years of bankruptcy proceedings, this little house might have been doomed. Despite these drawbacks, as well as its “disgusting” condition, local business owner Annette Norton bought the house in 2021. Working with contractor Javier Pasato, she thoroughly repaired the house and restored the adjacent 19th-century barn, which now provides storage for her shop.
Project team: Annette Norton; Javier Pasato
Murray on Main (H.C. Murray building), Willimantic
After one developer backed out, it took several years to find another buyer to renovate this long-vacant former department store. The renovated building now offers 16 much-needed low-cost apartments, plus a community room, retail and office space on the first floor. Inside, historic pressed-metal ceilings, a true character defining feature, were restored or reproduced where not salvageable, adding distinction to public and residential spaces alike.
Project team: Chrysalis Center Housing Development Corporation; Northeast Connecticut Community Development Corporation; Crosskey Architects LLC; Enterprise Builders, Inc.; CHA Consulting, Inc.; James K. Grant Associates; Acorn Consulting Engineers; Eagle Environmental, Inc.; Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office; National Park Service; Connecticut Financial Housing Authority; Connecticut Department of Housing
First Church of Christ, Woodbridge
In 2016, two attic beams at the First Church failed, causing the plaster ceiling to pull away from its supporting lath. After making repairs, the church embarked on a multi-phase project with John Canning and Company to restore the decorative paintings in the sanctuary, which had been created in 1891 and repainted over the years. Modifications to suit the church’s current practices were made while leaving the original decoration intact underneath and accessible by future generations.
Project team: First Church of Christ; John Canning & Company, Ltd
Academy building, Woodstock Academy, Woodstock
An independent school that also serves as the high school for Woodstock and neighboring towns, the Woodstock Academy moved in 1873 into a building that still serves as its centerpiece. Recent restoration focused on structural repairs, accessibility, and code improvements. In addition, the clock tower was refurbished, historic finishes restored, and a museum room created to display the school’s history. Reflecting the school’s civic role, donations from the larger community demonstrated broad support for the work.
Project team: The Woodstock Academy; Juster Pope Frazier architects; Kronenberger and Sons Restoration
Honorable mention: Grupes house, New Canaan
After ten years of patient and persistent efforts, the New Canaan Land Trust acquired the historic Grupes house from the First Taxing District Water Department of Norwalk, which had threatened to demolish the house. The organization plans to use the property as its headquarters and conservation learning center, as well as a residence for its executive director.
Project team: New Canaan Land Trust; Town of New Canaan; First District of Norwalk Water Department; Tom Nissley; New Canaan Preservation Alliance; New Canaan Museum & Historical Society
Honorable mention: James Dwight Dana house, New Haven.
Yale University’s renovation of the James Dwight Dana house not only restored the Italianate villa’s architectural integrity but also upgraded it to meet 21st-century accessibility, sustainability, and academic needs. The work met LEED Gold standards and preserved existing trees at this National Historic Landmark.
Project team: Yale University; Petra Construction Corporation; Apicella + Bunton Architects
Honorable mention: Mill Hill landscape, Norwalk.
Landscape improvements enhance community experience of and access to Mill Hill, site of Norwalk’s historic jailhouse, barn, meeting house and cemetery. The project opened the hillside and connected these sites to the broader community through work that included clearing invasive species, stabilizing the steep hillside, creating access ramps, planting wildflowers and grasses, integrating stormwater management and installing interpretive signs.
Project team: Heritage Landscapes LLC; Norwalk Historical Commission; GNCB Consulting Engineers, .P.C.; Cabezas DeAngelis Engineers and Surveyors
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