The Cambridge Preservation Recognition Program was initiated in 1997 by the Cambridge Historical Commission to celebrate outstanding efforts to preserve and maintain historic properties throughout the city. Preservation Awards are given annually for projects completed within the previous calendar year. The presentation of this year's awards took place on May 22, 2008.

2008 Press Release

2008 List of Project Contributors

Award-winning projects embody the goals of preserving, protecting and celebrating Cambridge's historic architecture and unique sense of place. May is National Preservation Month. In 2008, the national theme of Preservation Month, chosen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was "This Place Matters."  For more information about national Preservation Week activities, go to the  National Trust's web site. 

The seven project categories eligible for Cambridge Preservation Awards are: restoration, rehabilitation, adaptive use, neighborhood conservation, landscape preservation, archaeology, and education. Awards will be presented on the basis of the following criteria:

• the historical and architectural significance of the property preserved by the project,
• the exceptional quality of the project,
• the extent to which the project contributed to the preservation of the property,
• the impact of the project on the preservation of the city’s historic resources

Previous award winners have included residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The restoration and adaptive re-use of the Kendall Boiler and Tank Company building at 275 Third Street (see photo below) was recognized with a preservation award in 2000 and was the site of the program's reception in 2002.

Kendall Boiler & Tank Co. Building, 275 Third Street
Preservation Award winner in 2000

NOTE: The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) organizes a statewide Preservation Award program.
For more information about the MHC's award program and nomination process, click here.