Award Recipients
2025 Historic Preservation Awards
The Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is thrilled to celebrate the 2025 Historic Preservation Award recipients! We are pleased to honor their outstanding contributions to activities that demonstrate excellence in historic preservation and the promotion of our cultural heritage.
Join us on May 14 at The Edgewater to celebrate these special people, projects and organizations.
St. Vincent de Paul Store, 1309 Williamson St.
Madison, Wisconsin
Sensitive Infill Award Recipient
The St. Vincent DePaul flagship thrift store in Madison’s Marquette Neighborhood, located at Williamson and Baldwin Streets, is being recognized for its exceptional "sensitive infill" development. The renovation, completed in late 2024, combines three buildings: a 1984 and 1990 addition, a 1923 former automobile garage, and a new section with solar panels. Led by CEO Julie Bennett, the project maintains the area's historic charm while accommodating the growing business, showcasing the success of revitalization in the neighborhood.
Carol “Orange” & Dean Schroeder
Madison, Wisconsin
Friend of preservation Award Recipient
Carol “Orange” and the late Dean Schroeder, co-owners of Orange Tree Imports, are receiving the Friend of Preservation Award in recognition of their exceptional care of two historic buildings in Madison’s Monroe Street Business District and their involvement in the Monroe Street Merchants Association. Since 1986, the Schroeders have carefully preserved a 1893 clapboard building and a 1914 brick shop, maintaining their historical integrity and contributing to the vitality of the Vilas and Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhoods. Even after Dean's passing in 2024, Orange has continued their shared commitment to the property and to the Monroe Street Merchants Association, which she co-founded and has led for nearly 50 years.
Royal Thai Pavilion Revival
Madison, Wisconsin
Restoration Award Recipient
The Royal Thai Pavilion, a significant cultural symbol and the first Thai pavilion in the continental U.S., is receiving the Restoration Award for its meticulous revival at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Originally gifted by the Thai alumni and government, the pavilion required extensive repairs due to weather-related deterioration, particularly to its roofing and decorative elements. The restoration, which involved collaboration between local and international experts, included the replacement of custom Thai clay tiles, structural repairs, and the restoration of intricate woodwork and mosaics. Special care was taken to respect traditional Thai construction methods while adapting the materials to Wisconsin's climate. The restoration also re-engaged the community, inviting over 1,000 people to share messages of hope and peace, continuing the pavilion’s mission of promoting cultural exchange and global unity.
Plymouth Circle Exterior Rehabilitation
Madison, Wisconsin
Stewardship Award Recipient
The home at 3980 Plymouth Circle, designed by Elizabeth MacKay Ranney in 1971, is receiving the Stewardship Award for its extensive exterior rehabilitation, preserving its historic character while addressing structural and weather-related issues. The project focused on restoring the original redwood siding, salvaging and refinishing it for reuse, and replacing water-damaged components, windows, and roofing. Key to the restoration was maintaining the home’s historical integrity, including preserving original Caradco windows and incorporating modern elements like a cable railing on the new deck. The landscaping was also redesigned to improve water management and reconnect the home to its surroundings. This careful and dedicated effort ensures the preservation of the home’s architectural significance for future generations.
Frank Lloyd Wright Unitarian Meeting House Entrance
Madison, Wisconsin
Stewardship Award Recipient
The Friends of the Meeting House (FMH) are receiving the Stewardship Award for their successful $120,000 renovation of the entrance to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unitarian Meeting House in July 2024. The project involved restoring the crumbling Cherokee red concrete steps and replacing a poorly integrated wheelchair ramp with a new, more durable and aesthetically compatible ramp. With guidance from preservation architect Charlie Quagliana, FMH carefully preserved the building’s historic integrity while improving safety and accessibility. The thoughtful redesign addressed challenges such as matching the original “Cherokee Red” color and ensuring the new ramp blended with Wright's architecture. This renovation has significantly enhanced the building’s entrance, benefiting both visitors and church members.
Trek Bicycle
Madison, Wisconsin
Stewardship Award Recipient
Trek is being recognized with a stewardship award for their exceptional dedication to preserving the historic Mansion Hill Inn (McDonnell/Pierce House, 1857-58), a Madison Landmark and National Register of Historic Places property. Trek’s founder, Dick Burke, purchased the building in 2008, a final act that reflected his deep appreciation for history. Since the Inn’s grand opening in 2009, Trek has tirelessly worked to maintain its architectural integrity, including recent extensive renovations in 2023-2024. This work included foundation repairs, mold remediation, wood floor restoration, and landscaping to return the property to its original splendor. Notable restorations also include the delicate restoration of the building’s historic ironwork and porches, a true labor of love requiring skilled artisans. Trek’s commitment to preserving this architectural gem for the Madison community and beyond exemplifies the true spirit of stewardship.
For more information about the Historic Preservation Awards, contact us at info@madisonpreservation.org or (608) 441-8864.