The Maryland Preservation Awards, presented annually since 1975 by the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Historical
Trust (MHT), are the highest level of recognition for historic preservation, heritage education, and community
development projects in Maryland. The awards honor and celebrate significant achievements by individuals,
businesses, contractors, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and others who protect, promote, share,
and give continued life to the historic places and cultural heritage that make Maryland unique.
The MHT Board of Trustees encourages nominations for a variety of historic and cultural preservation activities
including those undertaken by community development organizations, local governments, museums, heritage areas,
historic preservation commissions, elected officials, neighborhood organizations, homeowners, and private
developers. Awards are presented in four categories.
Leadership and Service
Awards presented for Leadership and Service recognize individuals and organizations for laudable activities or
accomplishments that advance the public’s appreciation, understanding, and involvement in historic preservation
or archaeology in Maryland.
Education and Community Engagement
Awards presented for Education and Community Engagement recognize outstanding achievements by individuals,
organizations, government agencies, and others in developing and producing projects and materials that
connect the public to Maryland history, historic preservation, archaeology, and cultural heritage.
Stewardship
Stewardship awards recognize the hard work, time, effort, money, and dedication that are often required to
maintain and preserve historically significant buildings and sites. Nominations do not need to be focused
on a particular project, but rather should illuminate a history of care and commitment by individuals,
businesses, organizations, and government agencies.
Project Excellence
Project Excellence awards are presented to property owners, project sponsors, contractors, and other entities
for restoration and rehabilitation projects of all sizes and scopes and on all types of properties. The
design, materials, and workmanship of honored projects must demonstrate superlative historic preservation
standards. Projects can include the restoration, rehabilitation, or adaptive reuse of historic structures,
additions to historic structures, and/or restoration or rehabilitation projects informed by or sensitive
to archaeological and cultural resources.
