Madison Historic Preservation Commission announces 2024 preservation awards

MORGAN COUNTY
  • Brad Rice, Chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Elizabeth Minnix and daughters, award recipient. (CONTRIBUTED)
    Brad Rice, Chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Elizabeth Minnix and daughters, award recipient. (CONTRIBUTED)
  • L-R, Austin Pugmire, HPC; Nancy Greene, award recipient; Curtis Whitsel, project contractor. (CONTRIBUTED)
    L-R, Austin Pugmire, HPC; Nancy Greene, award recipient; Curtis Whitsel, project contractor. (CONTRIBUTED)
  • L-R, Brad Rice, chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Betsy Wagenhauser (accepting for her late husband, Alex Newton). (CONTRIBUTED)
    L-R, Brad Rice, chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Betsy Wagenhauser (accepting for her late husband, Alex Newton). (CONTRIBUTED)
  • L-R, Brad Rice, chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Elizabeth Branch, senior warden; Richard Simpson, church member. (CONTRIBUTED)
    L-R, Brad Rice, chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Elizabeth Branch, senior warden; Richard Simpson, church member. (CONTRIBUTED)
  • The Madison Historic Preservation Commission held its 21st annual Historic Preservation Ice Cream Social on the grounds of the Joshua Hill House. (CONTRIBUTED)
    The Madison Historic Preservation Commission held its 21st annual Historic Preservation Ice Cream Social on the grounds of the Joshua Hill House. (CONTRIBUTED)
  • L-R, Brad Rice, Chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Flynn Clyburn, award recipient. (CONTRIBUTED)
    L-R, Brad Rice, Chair HPC; Austin Pugmire, HPC; Flynn Clyburn, award recipient. (CONTRIBUTED)

    The Madison Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC) presented the 2024 Preservation Awards at its 21st annual Historic Preservation Ice Cream Social, which was held on May 23 on the grounds of the Joshua Hill House.

    The MHPC hosts this event each year during National Historic Preservation Month to gather the many organizations and individuals who work to highlight and preserve Madison and Morgan County's history.

    Preservation Excellence Awards are given for recent work on historic properties that exemplify historic preservation principles.

    • Alex Newton for rehabilitating the house at 536 Fourth St. Through Newton’s efforts, this small, historic tenant house, often an unappreciated resource, was preserved and returned to use.

    • Nancy Greene for the Kimble- Crawley-Davis House relocation and rehabilitation. This early Morgan County structure was threatened by industrial development. Nancy saved the house by partially dismantling, moving, and reassembling it at a lot in the Historic District.

    The annual Preservation Partner Awards are named by local preservation organizations in honor of Madisonians who have been instrumental in the preservation of the community’s history.

    • The Col. Dan & H attie Mina Hicky Award for Outstanding Preservation Intervention, named by the Morgan County Historical Society, was presented to Elizabeth Minnix to rehabilitate the Foster-Thomason- Minnix House at 498 S. Main St.

    Damaged by fire in 2001, the house had remained vacant until the Madison-Morgan Conservancy purchased it through their Endangered Properties Fund, which then sold it to the Minnix. Elizabeth and her late husband, David, embarked on an effort to restore the house to its former glory. Thanks to the Minnix’s, a yearslong focus on despair has become a focus of celebration.

    • The Mr. & Mrs.Floyd D. Newton Award for Outstanding Preservation Stewardship Award, named by the Historic Preservation Commission, was presented to the Church of the Advent Episcopal Church for their care of the 1844 Old Methodist Church. 

    For over 60 years, the congregation has cared for this important structure. Scaffolding has just come down from repairing the slate roof of the spire, and the church is in the midst of a program to restore the windows.

    • Dr. Josephine Brandon-Carol Hart Award for Outstanding Preservation Leadership, named by the Morgan County Landmarks Society, was presented to Flynn Clyburn.

    Flynn’s decade on the Historic Preservation Commission was marked by diligence, diplomacy, and dedication. The second half of his tenure was as chair, a position in which he excelled. Flynn approached this position with the goal of efficient execution of the commission’s duties, and he continually took advantage of preservation training opportunities to better serve his community.

    Madison Historic Preservation Commission
    Morgan County