Recognizing Excellence in Historic PReservation
2023 East Tennessee Preservation Awards
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. The 2023 Preservation Month theme is “People Saving Places”, and our recent East Tennessee Preservation Awards highlighted some of our region’s historic place-savers who pour their time, energy, and resources into protecting places for future generations.
On May 18, 2023, Mayor Indya Kincannon, Mayor Glenn Jacobs, and over one hundred preservationists from Knoxville and surrounding counties celebrated this year’s winners. Congratulations – and thank you for your passion and commitment to preserving our history and heritage!
Check out the full list of 2023 winners!
Award Categories
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. One (1) City of Knoxville Mayor’s Award will be presented each year.
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. One (1) Knox County Mayor’s Award will be presented each year.
Preservation Merit Award
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 June 2021 and February 2023. Four (4) Preservation Merit Awards will be presented each year.
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. One (1) Spirit of Kristopher Award 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 (2) Preservation Stewardship Awards will be presented each year.
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. One (1) Greystone Award will be presented each year.
Nomination Guidelines
The 2023 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 June 2021 and February 2023, 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.
- The nomination window for 2023 consideration closed on Monday, March 6, 2023.
- Award winners will be notified by Friday, March 31, 2023.
- All awards will be presented on Thursday, May 18th at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville.