Nominations
2025 Historic Preservation Awards
The Bilhorn Residence | 2024 Restoration Award Recipient | Photo by Bachmann Construction (click to view full screen)
Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to honor people, organizations & projects in our community that demonstrate excellence in the preservation of historic places and our cultural heritage.
Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025
Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony: May 14, 2025
Instructions
We have two separate nomination forms. One for specific projects and the other for general support of historic preservation. Scroll down to read the categories in each section.
Read this document carefully for information on project categories, eligibility, and how to submit nominations. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
NOMINATION PROCESS
Nominators may submit their own projects or may nominate others. Please clearly indicate on your nomination form who should be contacted about the award.
Nominated projects should have been completed between January 1, 2022, and January 31, 2025. *New project date range this year* If you would like the committee to consider a project outside of these dates, please email info@madisonpreservation.org.
Final award decisions: Nominations are reviewed by a committee of local preservation enthusiasts and experts. All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision in March 2025. Notification will be sent to those identified on the nomination form.
ELIGIBILITY
Awards can be given to individuals, organizations, businesses, or public agencies.
Nominees must be located in Dane or adjoining counties. For cities outside of Madison, preference will be shown to areas without a historic preservation organization.
Scroll down for the category descriptions.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The following items are required for the consideration of a nomination. They may be submitted as hard copies by mail, through our online form or as e-mail attachments.
A completed nomination form includes:
General Nomination Information
Additional Documentation
Specific Project - A narrative description of the project being nominated & high-resolution photographs, (optional video) OR
General Support of Historic Preservation - A brief biography of the efforts of the historic preservation proponent or supporter & high-resolution photographs (optional video).
SUBMISSION
There are two ways to submit a nomination. Complete our online form or fill out the Word form (email or mail to our office).
ONLINE NOMINATION FORMS
While you’re working on your nomination, you can save it and return to it until you’re finished. The application will email you a link to access your draft nomination.
Fillable Nomination forms (word format)
EMAIL — By e-mail, with all required documentation, to info@madisonpreservation.org.
High resolution photos are sometimes difficult to send by e-mail, so a file sharing service like Google Drive or Dropbox works well.
MAIL — In hard copy, with all required documentation, to Madison Trust for Historic Preservation, P.O. Box 296, Madison, WI 53701.
Hard copy applications must be postmarked by the due date and include a flash drive of required photos or share via a file sharing service.
Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025
All applicants will be notified of the Madison Trust’s awards decisions in March 2025. Mark your calendars for the Historic Preservation Awards on May 14, 2025 at The Edgewater!
Category Descriptions
Jenifer Street Residence | 2024 Restoration Award Recipient | Photo by Emma Davison - QUARTER Design Studio (click photo to see full size)
Specific Projects Categories
Adaptive Reuse
The adaptation of a historic structure to a new use, ideally with minimal impact on the structure’s character-defining features.
Compatible New Construction
Awarded for new construction at a historic site or for an addition to a historic property for design and construction demonstrating exceptional respect for historical context.
Future Landmark
Awarded for construction of such high level of quality of contemporary design that it will likely serve as an important contribution to Madison’s cultural heritage for future generations.
Historic Landscape
Awarded for preservation or restoration of historic landscaping or landscape forms.
Mid-Century Stewardship
Awarded for preservation or restoration of property originally constructed in the Mid-Century Modern style.
Preservation
Awarded for maintenance of the original form, integrity, and materials used on a historic property.
Restoration
Awarded for restoration of a property to a specific documented earlier appearance.
Sensitive Infill
Includes compatible freestanding new construction, adjacent or in relation to, existing historic structures. Such work should reflect the compatibility of new work with historic structures in regard to matters of massing, size, scale, architectural features of the property’s character and its contextual surroundings.
“Still Working On It”
Awarded to a property owner who has spent a great deal of time devoted to restoration or preservation, but has not yet (or may never!) finish the job.
Luther Memorial Church | 2024 Stewardship Award Recipient | Photo by Mark Heffron for TKWA (click photo to see full size)
General Support of Historic Preservation Categories
Advocacy
Awarded to an individual or an organization that has demonstrated a consistently high level of devotion to historic preservation or its promotion.
Friend of Preservation
Awarded to an individual who may not necessarily be associated with historical preservation, but has made outstanding contributions in activities that support the preservation or promotion of our cultural heritage.
Stewardship
Awarded to a property owner or neighborhood that has adopted a long-term practice of maintaining historic property.
Supporting Business
Awarded to a business that has consistently demonstrated exceptional support in goods or services for maintenance of historic properties.
Supporting Organization
Awarded to a nonprofit or other organization that has consistently contributed to the cause of historic preservation.
Supporting Public Entity
Awarded to a governmental department, program, or official that has made significant contributions to the cause of historic preservation.
Have Questions?
Do you have questions about filling out the nomination form? We're here to help!
Contact us at (608) 441-8864 or by email at info@madisonpreservation.org.