Connecticut Preservation News May/June 2019 Volume XLII, No. 3 Connecticut Preservation Awards Harlan H. Griswold Award: Guilford Preservation Alliance, Inc. istoric and natural resources in the town of Guilford have an and lack of awareness could and would erode the character of a H effective and tireless champion in the Guilford Preservation unique town that dates back to 1639 and comprised farmland, Alliance (GPA). The GPA was formed in 1980 by a group that village center, and coastal habitat. Today, the volunteer board included architectural historian Betty Brown and former First still carries out this mission in partnership with fellow citizens, Selectwoman Marjorie Schmidt, along with other passionate and related organizations, and local and state officials. committed residents. They recognized that development pressures continued on page 4 J. Fiereck Photography ___________________________________ In This Issue: ___________________________________ Mimi Findlay Award: Cameron Henry 2 ___________________________________ Public History Conference 8 Awards of Merrit 10 Left to right: Jane Montanaro, Connecticut Trust; Dennis Culliton, ___________________________________ Guilford Preservation Alliance; Matthew Hoey, Guilford First ___________________________________ News from Around the State 14 Selectman; Shirley Girioni, Guilford Preservation Alliance; Elizabeth Shapiro, State Historic Preservation Office ___________________________________ Janet Jainschigg Award: Carol Leahy 20 The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit organization. ISSN 1084-189X Connecticut Preservation Awards J. Fiereck Photography Mimi Findlay Award: Cameron Henry, 2019 recipient of the Mimi Findlay Award, with Cameron Henry Mimi Findlay ameron Henry grew up listening to the will help ensure that the mill C many stories of his family’s centuries- is recognized, stabilized, and old, antique-cluttered home in Maine. restored as the property on which This house was lost to fire before he was it is located comes up for sale. born, but family memories ignited in him Also in 2018, Cameron was an abiding interest in history, not just asked to join the executive board in terms of dates and names, but also in of the GPT. He is currently material culture. helping organize the 2019 It was no surprise, then, that Cameron Preservation Leadership Award chose to study historic preservation at and serves on the committee that the University of Mary Washington, is making plans and raising funds in Fredericksburg, Virginia. At Mary to restore the Thomas Lyon house, Washington, he served as president of the built about 1695. Historic Preservation Club and organized The Mimi Findlay award student trips to the annual confer- takes its name from Mimi ence of the National Trust for Historic Findlay of New Canaan, who Preservation and to tour the architecture of has practiced preservation both Newport, Rhode Island. In an internship professionally—as an historical for the Maine State Historic Preservation society director and preservation Commission, Cameron worked on an consultant—and as a volunteer, historic resource survey of Islesboro, including as a Trustee and chair Maine. of the Connecticut Trust. She After graduation from Mary has allowed the Trust to use her Washington, Cameron enrolled in archi- name to recognize young preser- tecture school at the University of Notre spaces; and for Granoff Architects’ conver- vationists whose early achievements promise Dame, with the goal of learning about sion of a vacant CL&P building to grade-A further accomplishments in the future. traditional architecture and urbanism. His office space. He also helped organize local In a town like Greenwich, architects master’s thesis project combined adaptive- preservation awards for the GPT. and citizens like Cameron Henry are use designs for an early-19th-century Through these award programs, vitally important to overcome the fero- arsenal complex at Augusta, Maine, with Cameron has demonstrated the judgement cious pressures to demolish anything that’s an analysis of the negative impacts of to recognize excellent projects, the ability old. Cameron has already demonstrated International Style Modernism on modern to describe them clearly and concisely, commitment and achievement. We at the preservation practice. and a passion for sharing them with wider Connecticut Trust look forward to working Returning to New England, Cameron audiences. By gaining recognition for these with him for many years to come. took a job with Charles Hilton Architects projects, Cameron has helped make the in Greenwich, a firm specializing in case for what preservation traditional design and renovation, and he can accomplish. Greenwich Preservation Trust soon joined the Greenwich Preservation In 2018, Cameron Trust. One of his first contributions was assisted preservation to help design and install signs identifying consultant Eric Brower in Greenwich’s historic districts. conducting a conditions For three consecutive years beginning assessment of the Sylvanus in 2016, Cameron wrote successful nomi- Selleck grist mill, an nations for the Connecticut Trust’s Merit 18th-century structure Awards: for Ada’s Kitchen and Coffee, a listed on the National beloved small business and community Register. This assessment anchor; for the Mueller Preserve, an historic farmstead that the Greenwich Cameron Henry helped Land Trust converted to programmatic produce a conditions assessment of the Sylvanus Selleck grist mill in Greenwich (c.1796). 2 Connecticut Preservation News, May/June 2019 At the Trust From the Executive Director he Trust’s Connecticut Preservation Recent months have brought some Capitol. While situations change daily, if T Awards program, held the evening changes to our Board of Trustees. John not hourly, here are the major issues we’re of April 4 at the Town and County Club Harrington of Norwalk and Robert following: in Hartford, was a joyous occasion as we Tierney of Old Lyme joined the Board. We continue to advocate for the celebrated the people who are protecting They both bring valuable preservation Community Investment Act: the governor’s and enhancing Connecticut’s historic experience to the Trust: John with the budget proposal calls for moving all CIA places. Congratulations again to all the successful restoration of his 18th-century money to the general fund, which would award recipients, whose accomplishments house, and Bob as former chair of the New make it more difficult to maintain consistent you can read about in this issue, and many York City Landmarks Commission. We funding levels for preservation, affordable thanks to our generous event sponsors, said farewell to Leslie King, Matthew housing, open space, and farmland protec- who are listed on page 13. Preston, and Myron Stachiw, whose terms tion. In April, the Connecticut Trust itself expired at the end of April, although we We continue to oppose efforts to weaken received an award, as the Connecticut look forward to keeping in touch with the Connecticut Environmental Protection League of History Organizations them. Our officers were re-elected for the Act and other preservation measures in reac- recognized the Trust’s book, Connecticut new year beginning May 1: Sara Bronin, tion to preservationists’ opposition to demoli- Architecture: Stories of 100 Places, by chair; Richard Wies, vice-chair; Caroline tion of two historic buildings in Willimantic Deputy Director Christopher Wigren. Sloat, secretary; and Tom Nissley, trea- (see page 13). The most recent version of this Chris is busily crisscrossing the state giving surer. dangerous proposal has been appended to book talks; call or email him to schedule The legislative session continues, and SB1107, a bill to modify some membership an event in your town. the Trust is an active presence at the provisions of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. For more up-to-date information, check our blog, www.cttrust.org/blog, or follow the Trust on Facebook and Twitter. —Jane Montanaro, Executive Director The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit statewide membership organization established by a special act of the State Legislature in 1975. Working with local preservation groups and individuals as well as statewide organizations, it encourages, advocates and facilitates historic preservation throughout Connecticut. Board of Trustees Walter Fiederowicz, Litchfield Connecticut Preservation News is published bimonthly by the Connecticut Officers Mimi Findlay, New Canaan Trust for Historic Preservation, 940 Sara Bronin, Chair, Hartford Glenn Geathers, Hartford Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut Richard Wies, Vice Chair, Branford John Herzan, Branford 06517. Publication is made possible by support of the members of the Connecticut Caroline Sloat, Secretary, Thompson Lee G. Kuckro, Wethersfield Trust for Historic Preservation and by Upcoming Meetings Tom Nissley, Treasurer, New Canaan Stephen S. Lash, Stonington funds provided through the Community Charles T. Lee, Greenwich Investment Act in the State of Connecticut. The contents and opinions stated herein Gubernatorial Appointees Peter Malkin, Greenwich do not necessarily reflect the views and Connecticut Historic Sara Bronin, Hartford Jeffrey Morgan, Kent policies of the State of Connecticut. Advertisements do not reflect the views The Hon. Catherine Osten, Sprague Cesar Pelli, FAIA, New Haven or opinions of the Connecticut Trust for Preservation Council Olivia White, Essex George Schoellkopf, Washington Historic