PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Historical Society is accepting nominations for the annual Historic Preservation Awards.
The deadline for nominations is July 19.
An awards ceremony is tentatively set for August.
Since 1978, these awards have honored individuals and organizations that have restored original structures or preserved the traditions, ideas and culture that form the historic fabric of Jefferson County.
There are two types of awards.
The Mary P. Johnson Award is given to historic structure projects that meet the Secretary of the Interior’s high standards for preservation, restoration and treatment.
The historical society also gives Certificates of Appreciation to individuals who have contributed to the preservation of Jefferson County history in a variety of ways.
These awards are not limited to historic structure projects. Examples include oral history projects, cemetery stewardship, authoring local histories and creating museum exhibits.
Any project, large or small, may be worthy of an award. The preservation of stories and private homes is equally important. Anyone may nominate a project for consideration. The Historic Preservation Awards Committee will review all nominations.
In 2018, the awards celebrated the accomplishments of Todd and Kathleen Knoblock for preservation of the Fuge House in Port Townsend; the NW School of Wooden Boatbuilding and the Community Boat Project for restoring the acclaimed sailboat, Felicity Ann; the Grave Angels volunteers and Masonic Lodge 6 for a massive cleanup and headstone restoration in Laurel Grove Cemetery; and David Hero for repair of the metal seam roof and dome on the Silverwater Café building.
Advocate’s award
The Mary P. Johnson Award is named for a woman who spearheaded efforts to preserve and restore Port Townsend’s Victorian buildings, along with serving as an advocate for support of local artists.
After moving to Port Townsend in 1958 with her husband, Harry Johnson, she worked at personal and political levels to create her vision for Port Townsend as a historic arts center.
She and her husband restored the Bartlett House (1883) and the C.F. Clapp Building (1885).
The Bartlett House was one of the first houses in Port Townsend to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Johnson was at the forefront of efforts to place other buildings on the register, which led to Port Townsend’s downtown and uptown being designated as a National Historic Landmark District.
She also founded the Port Townsend Art Gallery in the C.F. Clapp Building and the Summer School of the Arts, which was the precursor of Centrum.
Nomination forms are available online at http://jchsmuseum.com/or at the historical society office at historic City Hall, 540 Water St., Port Townsend.
