Historic preservation awards announced

PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Historical Society will present its annual Historic Preservation Awards next week.

The awards will be given to recipients at the First Friday Lecture at City Council Chamber, 540 Water St., at 6:30 p.m. May 1.

“Awards are not only presented to restoration projects, but often acknowledge other efforts to preserve the history of Jefferson County,” said Bill Tennent, executive director of the society.

Winners of the 2009 awards are:

• Friends of East Beach Park for the restoration of the East Beach picnic shelter on Marrowstone Island.

• Lynn Weir and Robert Otsea for stewardship of their home at 538 Lincoln St., in Port Townsend.

• Anne Virtue and Pat Roach for stewardship of their home at 1404 Jackson St., in Port Townsend.

• Fort Worden State Park for restoration of the house at 353 NCO Drive in Fort Worden State Park.

• Joyce Blankenship for documentation of local history for her book, Walkin’ on Water.

“The awards have traditionally been presented at the JCHS Founders’ Day Celebration, but moving them to the First Friday Lecture format will allow more time for audience discussion and will focus more attention on these outstanding projects,” said Vicki Davis, president of the society.