A Columbus architect and noted historian, Sam Kaye, was given a lifetime achievement award by the Mississippi Heritage Trust Friday.
Kaye received the prestigious Al and Libby Hollingsworth Award for Lifetime Achievement, which is the state’s highest award for outstanding service to historic preservation in Mississippi, said Mississippi Heritage Trust officials, noting Kaye has been a “great champion for the preservation of historic sites, not only in his hometown of Columbus, but throughout the state.”
“I know of no architect who has done more to develop a public appreciation of historic preservation than has Sam Kaye,” said former Gov. William Winter.
Additionally, 21 awards were given to outstanding preservation projects, including a project in Starkville, and people involved around the state in preservation, during the Power of Preservation in Economic Development Conference in Ocean Springs.
The award winning projects demonstrate excellence in the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and interpretation of our architectural and cultural heritage, said representatives of the Mississippi Heritage Trust.
“This year there was a diverse group of dynamic preservation projects worthy of awards,” said David Preziosi, executive director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust. “The different projects show that with dedicated owners, organizations, or cities, preservation is a viable and beneficial option for historic properties that may not be in the best condition. We learn from these projects that all you need is a little vision to see beyond the deterioration and neglect to return a historic property into something that is beneficial to the community. These award winning projects show us that preservation is about more than saving buildings. They prove that it’s good for business, it changes lives, and it lays a strong foundation for the future.”
Mississippi State University’s Lloyd-Ricks Hall is included in eight projects which received a Heritage Award for Merit for Restoration/ Rehabilitation, awards given to preservation projects demonstrating historic buildings can be reused and their historic charm preserved.
The Mississippi Heritage Trust is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the prehistoric and historic cultural resources of Mississippi.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.