Recognizing Excellence in Historic Preservation
Nationally, May is recognized as Preservation Month and is a great opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states. Our 2025 East Tennessee Preservation Awards highlight some of our region’s historic place-savers who pour their time, energy, and resources into protecting places for future generations.
Key Dates for 2025
January 15, 2025
Nominations open
February 16, 2025
Nomination deadline
March 14, 2025
Award recipients notified
May 22, 2025
Awards ceremony at The Emporium; see details and RSVP here!
Nomination Guidelines
The 2025 East Tennessee Preservation Awards will recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects contributing to historic preservation efforts within our 16-county region.
- Eligible projects include historic (50+ years old) residential or commercial projects that were completed between January 2024 and February 2025, or an individual or organization that has recently and significantly contributed to furthering historic preservation in our region.
- Eligible counties include Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union.
- Nominations for 2025 will be accepted through Sunday, February 16, 2025.
- Award winners will be notified by Friday, March 14, 2025.
- All awards will be presented at the 2025 East Tennessee Preservation Awards on May 22, 2025 at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville. Registration details coming soon!
Award Categories
These awards are selected by a review committee and may not be presented annually.
City of Knoxville Mayor’s Award
The City of Knoxville Mayor’s Award recognizes projects that make exemplary contributions to the advancement of historic preservation in the City of Knoxville. Eligible projects that support historic preservation can include commercial or residential signature properties and large-scale developments that incorporate the preservation of a historic building. Only projects within the City of Knoxville limits are eligible.
Knox County Mayor’s Award
The Knox County Mayor’s Award recognizes projects that make exemplary contributions to the advancement of historic preservation in Knox County. Eligible projects that support historic preservation can include commercial or residential signature properties and large-scale developments that incorporate the preservation of a historic building. Only projects within Knox County limits are eligible.
Spirit of Kristopher Award
The Spirit of Kristopher Award recognizes an individual who has made significant achievements in the support of historic preservation. Any person who has demonstrated a dedication to the preservation of East Tennessee’s historic buildings, structures, landscapes or sites is eligible.
Greystone Award
The Greystone Award is awarded to a company that has made significant achievements in the support of historic preservation. Any company who has demonstrated this effort thought the stewardship of a historic building, restoration of a historic building or a commitment to the historic preservation movement through education and advocacy within the 16-county region is eligible.
Kim Trent Advocacy in Action Award
The Kim Trent Advocacy in Action Award, named for Knox Heritage’s first Executive Director, recognizes an individual or group who has exhibited steadfast commitment to creating lasting positive change in the community by championing the power of historic preservation.
Preservation Merit Awards
The Preservation Merit Award is awarded for a sympathetic rehabilitation of an architecturally significant building, structure, object or site in our 16-county region that was completed between January 2024 and February 2025. Up to six Preservation Merit Awards will be presented each year.
Preservation Stewardship Award
The Preservation Stewardship Award recognizes those who have ensured the ongoing preservation of a historic building through long-term care and continuous ownership for a minimum of ten (10) years. Any individual, family, organization, government agency or business involved in the long-term care and stewardship of a historic building within the 16-county region are eligible. Up to two Preservation Stewardship Awards will be presented each year.