PRESERVATION KENTUCKY

News release

FRANKFORT — Preservation Kentucky has announced a call for nominations for their annual Excellence in Preservation Awards, which recognize projects and Kentuckians making exceptional contributions to the preservation of the commonwealth’s rich heritage, and a new Excellence Award to recognize main street preservationists.

Established in 2012, the annual awards highlight projects from urban and rural communities, feature a diverse field of recipients, and underscore the economic development benefits of historic preservation. Recipients will be recognized during Preservation Kentucky’s annual meeting in the Fall. Applications are available online at www.preservationkentucky.org.

New this year is an award sponsored by Tim Peters and Lois Mateus, historic preservation champions whose projects have been a catalyst for revitalization along Harrodsburg’s Main Street. The purpose of their award is to recognize individuals who have invested in communities where others have been hesitant to take the risk and do the work.

Both long-time preservationists, Tim and Lois have an impressive history of taking on risky projects and seeing them to successful completion. To date, they have renovated eight buildings in Harrodsburg, numerous 19th century buildings in Louisville, and some of the oldest structures in Kentucky on their historic Mercer County farm.

Together, they have received many awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Ida Lee Willis Community Preservation Award, River Field’s Land Hero Award for farmland preservation, and the Preservation Kentucky-Linda Bruckheimer Excellence in Rural Preservation and Preservation Kentucky-Ann Early Sutherland Excellence in Environmental Preservation Awards.

Among their ongoing efforts: Tim serves on the Kentucky Heritage Council, an appointment from Gov. Matt Bevin, and Lois is a member of the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation and co-chair of Harrodsburg’s 250th Celebration in 2024.

The Tim Peters and Lois Mateus Excellence in Making a Difference on Main Street Award will recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to historic preservation by restoring, rehabilitating and adaptively reusing a commercial or residential building(s) that has served as a catalyst for revitalizing a main street corridor. Special consideration will be given for individuals who have renovated a building in communities with a population of 75,000 or less.

“Keeping main street alive is the primary motivation for Tim and me,” Mateus says. “Restored antique shops, restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques not only improve and enhance the built environment, they bring life to the human environment as people shop, mix and mingle together.”

Peters adds, “Recognizing the shared history, connection and social dialogue that communities lose when retailers disappear from main street, we have put emphasis on commercial tenants at the street level, but also on attractive living spaces on the upper levels. Our experiences in both Harrodsburg, a small town, and in the NuLu district on East Market Street in Louisville prove that people are eager to live downtown.”

“We are so honored to have Lois and Tim’s sponsorship for a main street award,” said Preservation Kentucky executive director Betsy Hatfield. “Our main street communities are the heart of Kentucky, and this is a wonderful opportunity to recognize those who are preserving endangered buildings in communities where an investor is needed to spark and lead revitalization efforts. Tim and Lois have been active preservationists for many years. Their leadership in Harrodsburg invigorated an important historic community and inspired others to do the same.”

“Tim and Lois have been stellar preservationists and advocates for Kentucky’s heritage,” said Preservation Kentucky board chair Grady Walter.  “Their preservation successes are inspirational in their own right and remind us that historic preservation strengthens communities.”

Lois and Tim’s dedication to historic preservation and land conservation is reflected in their work on their Tallgrass Farm in Mercer County. The property features 1,000 acres of farmland and trails, a log homestead, original stone foundations, dry stack stone walls made from stone of the farm and five tobacco Barns. Tim and Lois’ efforts include the preservation of a rare 1802 stone and timber barn, one of only two remaining Pennsylvania bank barns still standing in Kentucky.  In 2004, they founded the Tallgrass Farm Foundation, an educational and culturally sustainable resource model that teaches students stewardship of natural and agricultural resources.

Lois grew up in the 1830 Nathaniel Burrus House in Harrodsburg. A co-founder of the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts and retired Brown-Forman executive who oversaw the restoration of Woodford Reserve Distillery and the company’s historic properties, Lois’ career reflects her passion for the arts, historic preservation, culture and community service.

Tim, who was Louisville’s first LEED Platinum Builder with The Green Building on East Market Street, has owned and operated a general contracting company for 42 years and earned a reputation for championing adaptive reuse of historic buildings throughout the state. Both have extensive experience as nonprofit board members, community leaders and philanthropists.

More information about the couple’s careers, community service and historic farmland can be viewed at tallgrassfarmfoundation.org/whoweare.html.

Excellence in Preservation Categories

Preservation Kentucky’s annual Excellence in Preservation Awards are named after dedicated Kentuckians who have a long and distinguished career of volunteer and/or professional service to preserve Kentucky’s architectural, cultural and prehistoric heritage. The 10 awards to be given this fall are:

• Tim Peters and Lois Mateus Excellence in Making a Difference on Main Street: For individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to historic preservation by restoring, rehabilitating and adaptively reusing a commercial or residential building(s) that has served as a catalyst for revitalizing a main street corridor. Special consideration will be given for individuals who have renovated a building in communities with a population of 75,000 or less.

• Edith S. Bingham Excellence in Preservation Education: For preservation educators, projects or programs that have demonstrated excellence in traditional or nontraditional educational arenas.

• Linda Bruckheimer Excellence in Rural Preservation: For those devoted to preserving Kentucky’s rural heritage with special consideration given to small towns with a population less than 10,000.

• Christy and Owsley Brown Excellence in Public Service to Preservation: For public officials or civil servants who have demonstrated leadership in preservation policy on the local, state and/or national level.

• Helen Dedman Excellence in Preservation Advocacy: For advocates, volunteers and/or professionals who have shown great commitment of time and resources to furthering historic preservation across the state.

• Barbara Hulette Excellence as a Young Preservationist: For those under the age of 40 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in historic preservation endeavors.

• Patrick Kennedy Excellence in Preservation Craftsmanship: For craftsmen/women who have demonstrated exceptional traditional building craft techniques and restoration skills on more than one preservation construction project.                                       

• David L. Morgan Excellence in Kentucky Historic Preservation Tax Credit: Two categories for commercial and residential projects that have demonstrated excellence in rehabilitation using Kentucky’s State Historic Preservation Tax Credit.

• Ann Early Sutherland Excellence in Green Preservation: For leaders who have made a strong connection between the preservation of historic places and environmental concerns and understand the relationship between the preservation of our built environment and our natural environment.                 

• Excellence in Kentucky Heritage Tourism: For an organization, site or attraction that has preserved and advanced Kentucky’s architectural, cultural and social history through dynamic interpretation and the promotion of historic resources that contribute significantly to our tourism industry and the preservation of our heritage.

An application and award criteria are on Preservation Kentucky’s website at www.preservationkentucky.org.