Every May, the Delaware County Heritage Commission marks National Preservation Month by honoring the people, projects, and organizations working to preserve our county's rich history. Since 1978, the Annual Preservation Awards have recognized construction and restoration projects, special programs, planning efforts, and publications that help keep Delaware County's heritage alive, along with individuals and young people whose contributions have made a lasting impact.
Two awards carry special distinction. The Leedom B. Morrison Award honors an outstanding construction or special project located in Chester City, while the Legacy Award recognizes a long-standing business operating out of a historic resource, celebrating those who've kept history in active, everyday use.
With nearly 50 years of award history behind us, it's worth looking back at just a few of the many projects and people who've been recognized over the decades. The very first ceremony, held in 1979, honored early preservation champions like Historic Upland and the Friends of the Grange, along with the adaptive reuse of the Sloan Mansion in Nether Providence. Two decades later, in 2001, Newlin Grist Mill and the Grange Farmhouse were honored for non-profit restoration work, while State Representative Nicholas Micozzie was recognized for his advocacy in the field of preservation.
The 2010s brought their own standout projects. In 2013, the Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead's historic restoration program and the Newlin Grist Mill Public Archaeology Program were both honored under the Special Programs category. A decade later, in 2023, Newlin Grist Mill was recognized again - this time for restoring and furnishing the 1739 Trimble House kitchen and pantry, in partnership with the Winterthur Summer Institute.
This year's ceremony, the 48th Annual Preservation Awards held in 2026, introduced a brand-new Semiquincentennial Award, presented to the John Morton Monument Experience for its America250 restoration work, a fitting tribute as Delaware County gears up for the nation's 250th anniversary. From historic barns and courthouses to oral histories, walking tours, and youth projects, the Preservation Awards reflect just how many different ways there are to protect and share our county's story. Know someone doing great preservation work in Delaware County? Nominations for next year's awards open later this year, so keep an eye out for details as we approach the 2027 ceremony.
Learn more: https://www.delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-05/HistoryOfHCPreservationAwards.pdf