Maryland Preservation Awards

Calvert Prize

Calvert PrizeThe Calvert Prize is presented to an individual, organization, agency or institution for paramount leadership in or contributions to the preservation of Maryland’s architectural and cultural heritage at the statewide level.  This award is the highest honor an individual or organization can recieve for historic preservation in Maryland, and is given only occassionally. The activity or service can be of a specific or ongoing nature, but it must have had a significant impact at the broadest state level and advanced public appreciation of historic preservation. The Calvert Prize has been presented to 28 individuals and organizations since its inception in 1975.

2011

The Honorable William Donald Schaefer

The Calvert Prize was presented posthumously to the late William Donald Schaefer, former Governor, Comptroller, and Mayor of Baltimore in recognition of his paramount leadership in and substantial contributions to historic preservation programs in Maryland. 

During his decades’ long career in public service, Governor Schaefer was a pivotal figure in the success of many preservation-related projects and legislative efforts.  As Mayor of Baltimore he was a champion of the preservation and revitalization of Fell’s Point and as Governor he played an instrumental role in the design of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, including the preservation and adaptive use of the 1856 Camden Station and 1899 B&O Warehouse.  Among his most significant contributions at the statewide level was the passage of legislation protecting archeological resources submerged in Maryland’s vast waterways, including hundreds of shipwrecks, and the establishment of one of the first state-level underwater archeology programs in the country. 

Governor Schaefer was also a principal figure in and champion of the design and construction of the Maryland Archeological Conservation (MAC) Laboratory at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum in Calvert County.  The MAC Lab is a state-of-the-art curation facility for archeological materials and currently houses more than 1,000,000 artifacts from every county in Maryland and several Mid-Atlantic States.  The MAC Lab gained recent notoriety as the treatment facility for the 19th century merchant ship uncovered at the World Trade Center in New York.

2008

Charles L. Wagandt

Charles Wagandt and his family acepting the Calvert Prize, 2008In 2008 the Calvert Prize was awarded to Charles Wagandt for his lifelong work to preserve significant historic resources across Maryland.  Charles L. Wagandt is the great-grandson of mill owner W.J. Dickey and began his preservation career in Baltimore working with Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation to preserve the textile mill in Dickeyville.  He bought the 70-acre mill village of Oella from the Dickeys in 1973, developed a master plan for the area, and rehabilitated almost every salvageable historic structure, including log cabins many considered to be beyond repair.  In a most important move, he lobbied to get public water and sewer systems installed in the unforgiving, rocky hillside community where raw sewage had flowed into the Patapsco River.  His primary focus in the mill village renaissance was to preserve the Oella Avenue streetscape, the backbone of the community; he embraced many “Smart Growth” principles long before the term came into popular use.  Wagandt also worked to preserve the natural and scenic beauty of the Patapsco River Valley, integrating history, architecture, and nature with economic development, championing a movement now commonly known as “heritage tourism.” 

In addition to his work in Oella, Wagandt was a founding member of the Friends of Patapsco, was instrumental in the relocation of the George Ellicott House, and helped organize a group to locate Benjamin Banneker’s homesite in 1979.  Wagandt joined the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Historical Trust in the 1970s and served as Treasurer from 1978 to 1981 and Chairman from 1981 to 1986.  During his time as a MHT Trustee, Wagandt was instrumental in securing the acquisition of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, and helped lead the transformation of the MHT from a quasi-public organization to a full-fledged state agency.

Previous Recipients

 

2003

The Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr.

  
 

In 1996 Taylor developed and introduced legislation to create the Maryland Heritage Areas Program as a system of “enterprise zones” where a variety of strong financial incentives could be targeted to create tight geographic centers for economic development through historic preservation and tourism.  This legislation also included Tax Credits for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings and since 1996 the Tax Credit Program has saved, rehabilitated and restored hundreds of significant buildings in communities throughout Maryland.  Most of the time those projects have taken place in neighborhoods that previously were undervalued, or even blighted. 

  

1999

Michael F. Trostel, Jr., FAIA

  

1997

Maryland Department of General Services

  

 

The Maryland Department of General Services was honored in 1997 for their leadership and careful attention to detail during the restoration of the Maryland State House dome.

  

1993

Spencer O. Geasey

  
 

for his major contributions to the knowledge of Maryland’s prehistorical heritage through archaeological field investigations, publications, and for his foresight in the preservation of Maryland’s archaeological collections.  In 1992, he donated his private archaeological collection of over 45,000 artifacts to the State of Maryland for study and exhibition.

1990

The Honorable Paul Sarbanes

  
 

former U.S. Senator, for his extraordinary leadership at the national level, supporting and sponsoring key legislative initiatives helping to keep historic preservation in the forefront of federal policies during the 1980s and making our task of protecting Maryland’s enormous cultural legacy much easier.

  

1988

Dr. Edward Papenfuse

  
 

for his long-standing support of preservation statewide; his careful conservation and organization of research materials in the new Hall of Records, accessible to the public for National Register nominations, local historic designation, historic structures reports and other research projects; his participation in raising awareness of Maryland’s cultural heritage through the celebration of the Bicentennial of the Constitution; his scholarship as evidenced in his publications; his vocal support for preservation and history through lectures and other speaking engagements.

  

1987

Donald G. Shomette

  
 

for the study of underwater archaeology as well as conservation of maritime history.

  

1986

Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions

  
 

for its contribution to the preservation movement in Maryland through training, Historic District Commission workshops, legislation and effective administration.

  

1984

Marvin Breckenridge Patterson

  
 

for her generous donation of 512 acres with 30 buildings to MHT as a museum for future generations.

  

1983

The Honorable Ronald N. Young

  
 

former Mayor of Frederick, for leadership in preservation, using his successes in Frederick as an example.

  

1982

Alice Martin

  
 

for outstanding and continuous volunteer work in Baltimore County, surveying 1,600 sites and 250 Mason-Dixon Markers in Maryland.

  

1981

The Honorable Charles McC. Mathias

  
 

former U.S. Senator, whose support of historic preservation at both the state and federal levels has been vital to the preservation of Maryland’s architectural heritage.

  

1980

C & P Telephone Company

  
 

for its sensitivity to Maryland’s architectural heritage in the design and siting of new buildings and for its contributions to the “The Old House Works” and New Life for Old Towns.

  

1980

John E. Clark

  
 

a founder of the Trust, 17 years on the Board, instrumental in establishing the county committee network.

  

1980

Orin M. Bullock, Jr.

  
 

for his pioneering work in restoration architecture (author of The Restoration Manual).  Served as Director of Architectural and Archeological Research for Colonial Williamsburg, past chairman of AIA Committee in Historic Buildings, and a member of the GCC.

  

1979

Goucher College

  
 

for its establishment of a bachelor’s degree program in historic preservation, the second such program in the country.

  

1978

Mary Pringle Symonds

  
 

in recognition of her exceptional leadership and gift of time and talent – first chairman of HDC, Chairman of Annapolis City Committee and President of Historic Annapolis, Inc.

  

1978

Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage

  
 

in recognition of one of Maryland’s earliest organized preservation efforts and for the projects inspired and supported by them.

  

1978

The Honorable Louis L. Goldstein

 
 

former Comptroller of Maryland, for his dedication to the establishment of a statewide historic preservation agency, his service as the first chairman, and his 14-year membership on the board.

  

1977

Kent R. Mulliken

  
 

for his dedication to the establishment of a statewide historic preservation agency.

  

1977

Robert C. Embry

  
 

for his role in the preservation and revitalization of the City of Baltimore (former Housing Commissioner for City and later in HUD).

  

1977

The Honorable J. Glenn Beall, Jr.

  
 

former U.S. Senator, for his success in the enactment of federal tax laws favorable to historic preservation and his interest in the preservation program in Maryland.

  

1976

Elizabeth Douglas Williams

  
 

for her work in founding the Trust, her services as its first chairman and member of the Board from 1961-75.

  

1976

Dr. Phoebe B. Stanton

  
 

for her contribution to the study of urban architecture, her service as a member of the GCC, and her promotion of excellence in contemporary architecture.

  

1976

Dr. Henry Chandlee Forman

  

1975

A. Saint Clair Wright

  
 

for her extensive contribution to the preservation of Maryland’s capital city.

  

1975

Orlando Ridout IV

  
 

first State Historic Preservation Officer and former director of the Trust.

  

1975

The Honorable William S. James

  
 

former Treasurer of Maryland, for his unparalleled contributions to historic preservation.

  

1975

Frederick Gutheim

  
 

for his work in the fields of preservation education and environmental planning and for his book The Potomac.

  

 

 

This page updated: October 21, 2011