On the 45th Anniversary of the Florida Preservation Awards, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation introduced a revitalized program reflecting the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in historic preservation.
“We want to fully celebrate and recognize all the wonderful work being done in communities throughout Florida, so I am thrilled to announce our updated program and the opening of nominations for the 2024 Florida Preservation Awards,” said Florida Trust Board President Mike Cosden. “We have learned and grown as an organization since our first awards were given 45 years ago, and these updates reflect our commitment to honor Florida’s diverse history and multifaceted stories.”
The most significant change to the awards program is eliminating nomination submission fees, which will help ensure the program is financially accessible to all who wish to participate. In the past these fees were used to allay the cost of the program, which will now be covered by sponsorships. Additionally, the program introduced three new award categories to recognize a wider range of contributions that make a difference preserving communities. They are:
- The Preserving Place Award, which acknowledges placemaking and placekeeping efforts, such as oral history projects, heritage trails, Main Street programs and more;
- The Volunteer of the Year Award, which honors the dedication and passion of individuals who generously donate their time and expertise to preservation projects;
- The Historic Preservation Scholar Award, which recognizes outstanding academic research and scholarship in the field of historic preservation, encouraging and supporting the next generation of preservation leaders.
Work has also been done to streamline the application process, including engaging with new audiences and providing one-on-one assistance with nominations as needed.
As the organization embarks on another year celebrating Florida’s vibrant stories, the Florida Preservation Awards program invites nominations from across the state, highlighting the remarkable achievements that continue to shape and enrich our communities.
The nomination process begins online by visiting the Florida Preservation Awards web page. Nominations are due by Monday, April 1.
