The Historical Society of Rockland to Present County Exec Awards

The Historical Society of Rockland County (HSRC) is pleased to announce the 32nd Rockland County Executive's Historic Preservation Merit Awards. These awards are presented in recognition of outstanding historic preservation efforts in Rockland County. The awards will be presented at a ceremony and reception on the grounds of the HSRC’s historic Jacob Blauvelt Homestead in New City on Sunday, May 18th. (May is National Preservation Month).

The 32nd Annual Rockland County Executive's Historic Preservation Merit Awards for 2025:

• The Margaret B. and John R. Zehner Award: For contributions to the county's history, and for underscoring the value of historic preservation to the community-Tim Adriance

• Preservation Leadership Award: For individuals, groups, and government agencies that display outstanding leadership or continuing contribution to the preservation of historic resources in Rockland County-Robert C. A. Sorensen

• Rehabilitation Award: The Bogert House, 77 Main Street, Tappan-Joseph Panzella and Andrew Rosenberg, Owners

• Adaptive Use Award: The Angel Nyack, formerly the First Reformed Church, Nyack-The Angel Nyack Board, Stewards

• Continuing Use Award: Central Presbyterian Church, Haverstraw - Rev. John Schneider and Church Elders, Stewards

• Commendation: Terri Thal, author – My Greenwich Village: Dave, Bob, and Me

• Commendation: Andrew Goodwillie, Myra Starr, Evelyn Fitzgerald, Tom Hackett, Jennifer Rothschild, Lola Esnard and Richard Esnard - Historical Trail Signs Project along the former Erie RR path, Nyack, South Nyack, Sparkill and Piermont

and

A Special HSRC Preservation Award for The County of Rockland: For their commitment to the preservation of Open Space and their recent acquisition of the historic DePew Farm.

All of the awards made by the Society in 2025 underline the positive effects of preservation on the community. For example, the excellent adaptive use of an historic house of worship by a grass-roots organization will significantly enhance the vibrant arts and entertainment community in Nyack. Please join us in congratulating the award recipients.

For information on attending the awards ceremony and reception, which will be held on the grounds of the Jacob Blauvelt house on May 18, 2025, please visit www.RocklandHistory.org.

In addition to celebrating preservation achievements, the HSRC and the Preservation Merit Awards Committee will continue to work with members of the Rockland County Preservation Board and the County’s municipal historians to identify Rockland County’s most endangered places. This list will be shared at the Awards Ceremony. “This effort to identify endangered places in Rockland, and to widely share information about them is critical,” said Clare Sheridan, committee co-chairperson. “Our hope is that by awarding preservation successes and highlighting critical preservation needs we can encourage strong, coordinated efforts to increase the chances of preserving historic places in our community.”

History of the Rockland County Executive's Historic Preservation Merit Awards Program

Since 1991, the Historical Society of Rockland County has presented over 90 awards to public agencies, private individuals, community-based and religious organizations in recognition of their preservation efforts in the County. The Committee also supports continued critical action to help save Rockland County's environmentally sensitive areas and endangered architecture. Instituted to preserve the rich historical heritage of the County, the annual program celebrates each May with a declaration of "Rockland County Preservation Week" by the County Executive, an awards  ceremony and a festive reception.

With a rapidly growing population of newcomers to the area, one challenge has been to help the public understand the value of preservation as well as being involved in their community. Addressing this challenge, the HSRC’s Preservation Awards program has:

• awarded preservation efforts of individuals and groups

• increased awareness of our historic resources

• helped local communities to recapture history and pride of place

• advocated for the purchase of endangered sites for the public good

• attempted to unite all five townships in the support of historic preservation

The awards, made by the Society for preservation efforts on homes, businesses, municipal locations, and structures both modest and grand, help to get out the word that it is in everyone's interest to restore and retain the richness of the past. The process is self-fulfilling, and it helps to unify and inspire a community.

For more information on the award process, or to find out how to attend the Awards Ceremony and Reception visit www.RocklandHistory.org or contact the Historical Society of Rockland County at 845-634-9629 or info@rocklandhistory.org.