The Caroline A. Ellis Landscape Award
Dr. and Mrs. John Espy
The award recognizes the owner(s) of an historic landscape, and when appropriate one or more individuals associated with the property, such as landscape professionals. The award recognizes the careful stewardship or preservation of a Nantucket landscape associated with an historic structure or area, or the completion of a new design that enhances the historic fabric of the community.
The Espy garden enhances and complements their historic house and outbuilding which include a former stable, now used for summer dining, and the Starbuck candle factory (now family owned). The property was original held by Joseph Starbuck who built his home in 1809 adjoining his candle factory and who is best known as the builder of the Three Bricks. Today the family summer home of Dr. and Mrs. Espy, the garden is very much the creation of the current owners. The original design of the garden was established by Polly’s mother, Mrs. J. Winston Fowlkes in 1938 when she and her husband purchased the property. It was redesigned by Anne Homer Polk in 1993, and has been modified and simplified through the years on the advice of Lucinda Young. Jon Wisentaner is responsible for the lawns and assists with the general maintenance. Paul Droz has taken care of the trees for Mrs. Fowlkes and the Espys.
The John A. and Katherine Lodge Stewardship Award
The Fremont-Smith Family
The award recognizes an individual, organization or owner(s) of historic property who demonstrate a high degree of commitment to the preservation of the structure(s) and the island. An individual who maintains an historic property or who has played an important part in the preservation of Nantucket also can be nominated for this award.
The Atlantic House, built in 1848, was the first hotel on island to cater to the summer resort industry and in the 1920’s was transformed into a fine private home. The Fremont-Smiths acquired the historic property from family members with a preservation restriction on the façade and grounds held by the Sconset Trust. In a subsequent restoration, they exceeded the requirements of the preservation restriction, sustaining the original building with minimal change. Conscious decisions also were made to honor and respect the interior architecture. The team hired by the family included Chris Dallmus of Design Associates to develop restoration plans, Mark Godfrey as the general contractor, and Barbara Halsted as their interior designer.
The Traditional Building Methods Award
Mr. Michael Burrey
The award recognizes craftspeople who promote traditional building methods or who have made a major contribution to the field of historic preservation on island. Recipients must demonstrate a long-time commitment to one or more traditional building methods, such as plastering, carpentry, masonry using lime-mortar, or decorative painting.
Michael Burrey is a traditional-building carpenter who oversaw the work of restoring the tower of the Unitarian Meeting House and has worked on various projects on island as well as on the mainland. At the meeting house, his work included restoration of major roof trusses using nineteenth-century methods and joinery as well as repair of other elements on the exterior and interior.
The Architectural Preservation Award
South Church Preservation Fund
The award recognizes the owner(s) of an historic structure, and when appropriate one or more members of building professionals who assisted in the completion of the preservation project. Structures may contain additions that are compatible with the historic sections and include exterior and interior work. In order to qualify for the award, preservation of those portions or features that convey the property’s historical, cultural or architectural values is required
The South Church Preservation Fund is the recipient of the NPT’s 2011 Architectural Preservation Award. Recent restoration work at the Unitarian Meeting House meets the highest preservation standards. Work included exterior and interior restoration. Among the exterior work was the repair of the Town Clock, the re-gilding of the dome, reproduction of early railings at the lantern, and structural repairs and re-shingling using original materials whenever possible. Major work on the interior included the restoration of the 1840s trompe l’oeil painting. This extensive portion of the project included research on interior pigments by a team from the Henry F. DuPont Winterthur Museum and the removal of later materials down to the original layer (plaster and paint). The work was completed by a host of preservationists and traditional building artisans, with funds for the project solicited by the South Church Preservation fund from individuals and foundations as well as from the Nantucket Community Preservation Committee.